EU Media and Audiovisual Policy

Latest news on the media and audiovisual policies of the European Union.

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The EU MEDIA programme — 12 May 2011, 23:42 CET

EDIA is the EU support programme for the European audiovisual industry. It co-finances training initiatives for audiovisual industry professionals, the development of production projects (feature films, television drama, documentaries, animation and new media), as well as the promotion of European audiovisual works... The MEDIA 2007 programme (2007-2013) is the fourth multi-annual programme since 1991 (previous programmes) and has a budget of € 755 million. Its objectives are : to strive for a stronger European audiovisual sector, reflecting and respecting Europe’s cultural identity and heritage to increase the circulation of European audiovisual works inside and outside the European Union to strengthen the competitiveness of the European audiovisual sector by facilitating access to financing and promoting use of digital technologies

Communication — 13 January 2013, 18:54 CET

Loans and grants in the field of Communication

Audiovisual and Media — 13 January 2013, 19:03 CET

EU grants and loans in the field of Audiovisual and Media

Audiovisual and media — 20 January 2013, 21:43 CET

Audiovisual and media - EU grants from the European Commission's Education and Culture DG

Radio frequencies for new and faster wireless services in the EU — 23 September 2010, 00:11 CET

A five year policy programme for planning and harmonising the use of the EU’s radio spectrum has been proposed by the European Commission. The proposal, which will be sent to the European Parliament and EU Council of Ministers for adoption, includes steps to promote efficient spectrum management, and in particular, to ensure that sufficient spectrum is made available for wireless broadband. This will significantly contribute to bringing fast broadband connections to people in remote areas, where it is not economically viable to install cable networks, and to making innovative services available across Europe. Wireless broadband is essential to deliver the target of broadband for all by 2013, one of the key goals of the Digital Agenda for Europe. More efficient and competitive use of spectrum in the EU would also promote the development of innovative technologies and services, to the benefit of consumers and of Europe's overall competitiveness. The proposal forms part of a package of broadband measures presented by the Commission on 20 September.

EU okays funding mechanism for France Télévisions — 20 July 2010, 23:05 CET

The European Commission has approved the annual funding mechanism for France Télévisions, which is deemed to comply with the European Union's state aid rules.

EU approves Swedish scheme supporting newspapers — 20 July 2010, 23:05 CET

The European Commission has concluded that a changed regime to support newspapers in Sweden is now in line under EU state aid rules.

Sky Italia can participate in allocation of TV frequencies in Italy: EU — 20 July 2010, 23:10 CET

The European Commission has authorised Sky Italia, the Italian subsidiary of Newscorp, to participate in the future tender for the allocation of nationwide digital terrestrial television frequencies in Italy.

EU approves Foxconn's acquisition of Sony's television production in Slovakia and Mexico — 28 June 2010, 22:09 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition by the Taiwanese company Foxconn of Sony entities producing televisions in Slovakia and Mexico.

Protection of video game users — 12 January 2010, 19:40 CET

Strong growth in the European video game market and the development of new media has increased the risk that consumers will be exposed to illegal or harmful content. The video game industry has introduced a self-regulatory video game rating system aimed particularly at the protection of minors.

Data protection in the electronic communications sector — 07 January 2010, 17:02 CET

New technologies, and in particular the Internet and electronic messaging services, call for specific requirements to ensure that users have a right to privacy. This EU Directive contains provisions that are crucial to ensuring that users can trust the services and technologies they use for communicating electronically. The main provisions apply to spam, ensuring the user's prior consent ("opt-in"), and the installation of cookies.

Selection and authorisation of systems providing mobile satellite services — 07 January 2010, 17:02 CET

Mobile satellite services (MSS) present enormous potential at the EU level. Their deployment contributes to reducing the geographical digital divide by enabling citizens to benefit from innovations in telecommunications and broadcasting (high-speed internet, mobile television, emergency communications, etc.). This Decision aims to develop a pan-European market for mobile satellite services by introducing a unique selection procedure of economic operators at the Community level.

Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) — 21 December 2009, 18:03 CET

The Audiovisual Media Services Directive covers all EU audiovisual media services (including on-demand services) in the digital age. It amends and renames the Television without Frontiers Directive, providing less detailed but more flexible regulation. And it modernises TV advertising rules to better finance audiovisual content. The directive had to be transposed into national law by the 19th December 2009.

Time up for EU Member States to tune TV rules to digital age - briefing — 21 December 2009, 18:17 CET

Two years after the adoption of modernising EU TV rules removing outdated restrictions on digital TV over the internet, video on demand and mobile TV, only three countries – Belgium, Romania and Slovakia – have officially notified the European Commission of measures putting them in place, as required under EU law. The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS Directive) rebooted EU rules on traditional TV broadcasting for the digital age. EU countries had until 19 December 2009 to turn the modernised rules for Europe's audiovisual industry into national law. The Directive creates a single market for all audiovisual media services, providing legal certainty for businesses and protection for consumers.

Legal framework for mobile TV — 16 December 2009, 00:10 CET

This communication presents examples of EU Member States’ regulatory best practice for mobile TV networks and services. It covers the authorisation models for such networks and services, as well as particular issues related to the different levels of the regulatory regime.

Towards a Single Market in Creative Content Online — 07 December 2009, 23:45 CET

Online content knows no bounds and is on the increase. Reaching almost 500 million consumers, content services could significantly enhance the competitiveness of the European music, film and games industry by 2010. This is why the European Commission is encouraging the development of a stronger and more consumer-friendly internal market for online creative content within the European Union.

Towards a Single Market in Creative Content Online — 03 December 2009, 16:19 CET

Online content knows no bounds and is on the increase. Reaching almost 500 million consumers, content services could significantly enhance the competitiveness of the European music, film and games industry by 2010. This is why the European Commission is encouraging the development of a stronger and more consumer-friendly internal market for online creative content within the European Union.

European Parliament LUX Prize — 24 November 2010, 19:05 CET

The LUX Prize (in Latin, lux means light) was established in 2007 as a tangible symbol of the European Parliament’s commitment to the European film industry and its creative endeavours. Since then, the European Parliament casts an annual spotlight on films that go to the heart of the European public debate. Beyond the stories they tell, these films explore and question European shared values, look at the level of support for the project of building Europe and address cross-border concerns such as immigration, justice, solidarity, public freedoms and fundamentals rights. Each film offers a glimpse into the lives of Europeans, their convictions and doubts and their quest for identity.

EU Digital Dividend proposals - briefing — 28 October 2009, 19:24 CET

As digital TV replaces analogue TV, four-fifths of the airwaves that used to carry TV broadcasts to our homes will be freed up. This means that they can be used for new, innovative services that use radio spectrum, from wireless internet and more advanced mobile phones to new interactive and high-definition TV channels. Remote regions could be big winners from this as wireless broadband could use the new spectrum to deliver high-speed internet to areas not yet reached by landlines. The European Commission today set out plans for a coordinated distribution of spectrum that encourages investment and competition in these potential new services. If the allocation of the newly freed airwaves – the "digital dividend" – to new services is coordinated across Europe it could give the economy a boost of €20 to €50 billion. The plan for the realisation of the digital dividend's full potential involves the European Parliament and EU countries, reflecting the major part they have to play.

Creative Content in a European Digital Single Market: Challenges for the Future — 22 October 2009, 15:35 CET

The European Commission has published a reflection paper on the challenge of creating a European Digital Single Market for creative content like books, music, films or video games. According to Commission studies, a truly Single Market without borders for Creative Online Content could allow retail revenues of the creative content sector to quadruple if clear and consumer-friendly measures are taken by industry and public authorities. The digital availability of content thus presents great opportunities for Europe, but also a number of challenges. First of all, regulatory and territorial obstacles still stand in the way of digital distribution of cultural products and services and can impede creativity and innovation. In addition, illegal downloads on a large scale can jeopardize the development of an economically viable Single Market for digital content; there needs to be much more encouragement for legal cross-border offers. Against this background, the reflection paper – drafted jointly by the services of Commissioners Reding and McCreevy – outlines current challenges for three groups of stakeholders – rights-holders, consumers and commercial users – and invites everybody interested to participate in a broad debate about the possible European responses to them. Comments can be sent by 5 January 2010.

Policy Coherence for Development — 02 October 2009, 22:28 CET

When exploring ways to accelerate progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the European Union (EU) considers how non-aid policies can assist developing countries in attaining the MDGs. The EU activity in this field is not only a key political commitment in the context of the MDGs, but also has a firm legal basis in the Treaty establishing the European Community (Article 178).

Personal Music Players & Hearing — 30 March 2011, 10:43 CET

In recent years, sales of personal music players have soared, in particular those of MP3 players. Music from such players has become a significant threat to hearing because it can reach very high volumes and because an increasing proportion of the population is exposed to it, particularly young people. Overall, in the EU, roughly 50 to 100 million people listen to personal music players on a daily basis. In the light of current scientific knowledge, can the use of personal music players damage hearing? An assessment by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR).

New EU safety standards for personal music players - briefing — 28 September 2009, 14:49 CET

Consumers will benefit from new default settings on personal music players set at safe exposure levels, as well as clear warnings on the adverse effects of excessive exposure to high sound levels, following a decision by the European Commission today. In October 2008, the EU Scientific Committee SCENIHR, warned that listening to personal music players at a high volume over a sustained period can lead to permanent hearing damage. 5-10% of listeners risk permanent hearing loss. These are people typically listening to music for over 1 hour a day at high volume control settings. It is estimated that up to 10 million people in the EU may be at risk. The European Commission today sent a mandate to CENELEC (the EU standardisation body) requiring new technical safety standards to be drawn up.

Single European Information Space — 14 September 2009, 23:56 CET

The first objective of i2010 is to establish a Single European Information Space offering affordable and secure high-bandwidth communications, rich and diverse content and digital services. Action in this area combines regulatory and other instruments at the European Commission’s disposal to create a modern, market-oriented regulatory framework for the digital economy.

EU Information Society and Media Contacts — 05 August 2009, 22:39 CET