The Spanish market commission CMT has determined that the fledgling satellite platform Starmax should be included in the country’s controversial telco tax.
Telefonica will also be required to pay an additional €38 million as part of the plan to finance public broadcaster RTVE.
Starmax, which commenced operations in March will be required to pay 1.5% of its revenues under the RTVE refinancing act.
In a letter sent to CMT, Starmax argued that because it simply relayed TV channels via satellite and had no editorial remit of its own, the platform should be excluded from such payments.
However, because the platform takes payment for its services, CMT ruled that Starmax should be obliged to pay the percentage from gross revenues.
