EU Media and Audiovisual Policy

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

New film support rules — 14 November 2013, 13:20 CET

The European Commission has adopted revised criteria for assessing under EU state aid rules Member States' support schemes in favour of films and other audio-visual works. The new Cinema Communication allows aid for a wider scope of activities, highlights Member States' discretion in defining cultural activities worthy of support, introduces the possibility to give more aid to cross-border productions and promotes film heritage. The Commission took into account the comments received during three public consultations of Member States and stakeholders.

Consultation on the rapidly converging audiovisual world — 25 April 2013, 00:06 CET

Millions of Europeans catch up with their favourite TV series on a smartphone on the way to work, watch online content on their living room TV, or put their own user-generated content online. There are more than 40.4 million "connected TVs" in Europe, and they could be in the majority of EU households by 2016. These changes are sweeping away traditional boundaries between consumers, broadcast media and the internet. The Commission wants to explore what this convergence of technology and content could mean for Europe's economic growth and innovation, cultural diversity, and consumers (especially those that may need protection, such as children}.

Orphan works — 04 October 2012, 20:06 CET

Orphan Works are works which are protected by copyright but whose creators cannot be identified or found. The new Directive on Orphan Works will provide Europe's libraries, archives, film heritage institutions, public broadcasters and other organisations acting in the public interest with the appropriate legal framework to provide on-line cross-border access to orphan works contained in their collections. The Directive is a central element of the Commission's strategy to create an enabling framework for the use of intellectual property announced in its intellectual property strategy adopted in May 2011.

Proposed Directive on collective management of copyright and related rights and multi-territorial licensing - guide — 12 July 2012, 12:40 CET

The European Commission has proposed measures to modernise collecting societies and put in place incentives to promote their transparency and efficiency. New digital technologies are opening up great opportunities for creators, consumers and businesses alike.

First report on the application of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive - guide — 07 May 2012, 17:14 CET

The European Commission has presented a report on the application of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). The AVMSD enables the free circulation of audiovisual content and meets important public policy objectives such as banning incitement to hatred, protecting minors from harmful content and promoting European audiovisual works. The key issues covered in the report are advertising practices and the need for further guidance on Connected TV (which is internet-enabled TV). As a result, the Commission will: Launch a public consultation on Connected TV (second half 2012), Update its guidance on televised advertising in 2013.

Amendments to Directive 2006/116/EC on the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights - guide — 12 September 2011, 23:21 CET

EU Member States have adopted amendments to Directive 2006/116/EC on the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights, which extend copyright for performers from 50 to 70 years.

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, 20:40 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 — 08 December 2009, 00:45 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.