Italy’s minister of economic development has indicated a delay to the process designed to bring new entrants into digital television. During parliamentary questions Paolo Romani was asked for an update on the participation of Sky Italia in the awards process.
Romani replied that the matter had been referred to the council of state to review the process, a decision that could take up to 30 days, thus prolonging the process that could see the News Corp-owned operation compete with prime minister Silvio Berlusconi’s Mediaset.
In July the European Commission accepted plans for Sky Italia to bid for digital terrestrial capacity, but on the pre-condition that it is restricted to free-to-air broadcasts until 2015.
The “beauty contest” is being held by the regulator AGCom.
Mediaset’s current competitor in the terrestrial field, the Swedish-owned Dahlia TV, is currently in administration with an announcement on its future due in the next few days.