Fernsehprogramme Im Dualen Rundfunksystem

Digitalization changes broadcasting markets. Against this background, a survey of state interventions in these markets is recommendable, because some interventions are determined on a historical basis. This study uses the German broadcasting market as an example, focussing on the regulation of commercials and on public service broadcasting. The analysis is based on industrial organization methods and shows that these interventions interfere with the political objective of diversity of opinion in broadcasting markets. By reducing revenues of free-TV broadcasters, which are financed by commercials, these interventions restrict their competitive ability, especially regarding the market entry of internet-based audiovisual media services. The European policy that aims at easing commercial regulations for traditional broadcasting and restricting the public provision of online services is therefore reasonable.