Observatorio (OBS*) Journal, vol.4 - nº3 (2010), 301-318 1646-5954/ERC123483/2010 301 Copyright © 2010 (Isabel Fernández Alonso et al). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd). Available at http://obs.obercom.pt. Spanish Public Broadcasting. Defining traits and future challenges following analogue television switch-off Isabel Fernández Alonso*, Montse Bonet**, Josep Àngel Guimerà***, Mercè Díez****, Federica Alborch **** * Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) ** Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) *** Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) **** Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) ***** Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) This article was written within the framework of RD&I Project: Transformations of the Radio and Television Systems in Spain within the context of Digitalization (1997-2010) funded by the Ministry of Education and Sciences (ref:SEJ2007-65109/SOCI), for the period 2007-2010. Abstract This article describes and analyses the defining traits of the Spanish public broadcasting system (radio and television stations with local, regional and national coverage) at a time when analogue television had been switched off and the digitalisation process of terrestrial radio was in a state of stagnation. The article also considers the future challenges faced by the sector in a country that, in the western-European context, has an unparalleled number of public operators. Keywords: public broadcasting; history of broadcasting; terrestrial televison switch-off; Spain 1. Introduction Today’s complex model of Spanish public broadcasting began to take shape after the most recent restoration of democracy in Spain, 1 coinciding, therefore, with the start of deregulation processes being implemented in other European countries. Until that time, and since the end of the World War II, these countries’ terrestrial radio and television broadcasting models had been public monopolies. Besides opening up broadcasting to private operators, deregulation implied “the waiving of public-service obligations for the new commercial sector; or the imposition of minimal obligations that do not conflict with economic requirements”, and “a crisis of effectiveness of regulation as a result of new opportunities to evade or circumvent national regulation” (Humphreys, 1996, p. 160). In the 1980s, and as a consequence of this new, much more competitive context, public operators suffered crises of identity, funding, operation and even legitimacy (Richeri, 1994; Achille, 1994). These same crises still persist today, though they have not prevented public operators from continuing to play a central role in European media systems. 1 This process began in 1975, after Franco's death, and was consolidated after the failed coup d'état attempt in 1981.