MUMBAI: An Italian court has ruled that state broadcaster RAI is violating its public service charter by encrypting its free-to-air (FTA) channels in order to deny Sky Italia the ability to carry the Rai channels. Rai will appeal the decision.

The court noted that illegal state aid had been provided to others including Mediaset, the state broadcaster‘s satellite partner.

The ruling by the Lazio administrative court came on the same day that Bank of Italy deputy director general Anna Maria Tarantola was confirmed as the new head of RAI.

RAI encrypts parts of its free programming including some football and news and entertainment shows, preventing Sky viewers seeing them.

Sky Italia, which has been locked in a dispute with Rai for a long time, called the ruling a victory for all its subscribers. It also said that this was an important reminder to RAI that it must comply with its public service obligations toward all Italian citizens.