10.7.2007 Official Journal of the European Union L 180/33 COMMISSION DECISION of 25 June 2007 on the compatibility with Community law of measures taken by France pursuant to Article 3a(1) of Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (2007/480/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (1), and in particular Article 3a(2) thereof, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee established pursuant to Article 23a of Directive 89/552/EEC, Whereas: (1) By letter of 30 December 2003, France notified to the Commission measures to be taken pursuant to Article 3a(1) of Directive 89/552/EEC. (2)  The Commission verified, within three months from this notification, whether such measures are compatible with Community law, in particular as regards the pro- portionality of the measures and the transparency of the national consultation procedure. (3) In its examination, the Commission took into consider- ation the available data on the French media landscape. (40 The list of events of major importance for society included in the French measures was drawn up in a clear and transparent manner and a far-reaching consul- tation process had been launched in France. (5 The Commission was satisfied that the events listed in the French measures met at least two of the following (") OJ L 298, 17.10.1989, p. 23. Directive as amended by Directive 97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O] L 202, 30.7.1997, p. 60). criteria considered to be reliable indicators of the importance of events for society: (i) a special general resonance within the Member State, and not simply a significance to those who ordinarily follow the sport or activity concerned; (i) a generally recognised, distinct cultural importance for the population in the Member State, in particular as a catalyst of cultural identity; (i) involvement of the national team in the event concerned in the context of a competition or tournament of inter- national importance; and (iv) the fact that the event has traditionally been broadcast on free television and has commanded large television audiences. A number of the events listed in the French measures, including the summer and winter Olympic Games, the opening match, semi-finals and final of the football World Cup as well as the semi-finals and final of the European Football Championship, fall within the category of events traditionally considered to be of major importance for society, as referred to explicitly in recital 18 of Directive 97/36/EC. These events have a special general resonance in France, as they are particu- larly popular with the general public, not just with those who usually follow sport events. The other listed football events, including the official matches of the French national football team in the FIFA calendar, the final of the UEFA Cup, where a French club involved in one of the French championships is playing, the French football Cup final and the final of the football Champions’ League, have a special general resonance in France, as football is the most popular sport in that country. Rugby is an important sport and attracts a considerable audience, particularly in the south-west of France and thus a large part of the country. The French Rugby Championship final, the European Rugby Cup final where a French club involved in one of the French cham- pionships is playing, the Six Nations rugby tournament, and the semi-finals and final of the Rugby World Cup therefore have a special general resonance in France. The listed tennis events have a special general resonance in France as tennis is the most important individual sport in that Member State.