Convergence and the future of public service broadcasting

1
Convergence and the future of public service
broadcasting

• Anna Herold
• European Commission
• Audiovisual and Media Policies
• EURO-MEI Conference
• Public Service Broadcasting in the Digital
  Economy
• Lisbon, 28-29 March 2007

2
Challenges for PSB at the EU level

• Content regulation draft Audiovisual Media
  Services Directive
• Infrastructure review of Electronic
  Communications Framework
• Contribution to the Content Online initiative
• Expansion in new media activities and EU State
  aid control

3
Internal market as pre-condition for take up of
new services

• New services need a stable regulatory environment
• Today - 27 or more different regulatory regimes
  across Europe
• Country of origin principle - legal certainty
  for cross-border business

4
The scope of the Directive

• Council and EP editorial responsibility and
  programme- consensus on scope
• Platform neutrality but different degree of
  regulation for content 'pushed' and 'pulled
  differences in user choice/control
• Basic tier of light touch regulation and
  modernised TV advertising rules

5
Outstanding issues

• Jurisdiction
• Product placement
• New issues introduced by the EP media pluralism,
  media literacy, independent regulators,
  accessibility of media to people with
  disabilities, unhealthy food and drink
  advertising directed at children

6
Review of E-communications framework

• PSBs role in the switchover to digital
• Must carry there to stay but subject to review
• Spectrum more flexibility
• Mobile TV Communication planned for second half
  2007

7
Content Online

• What EU added-value to foster European online
  content industry?
• What types of instruments?
• DRMs consumer and market friendly
• Licensing issues

8
New media and State aid rules

• 2001 Communication the same democratic, social
  and cultural needs of the society
• Transparency and clear entrustment
• Communications review public consultation in
  second half 2007

9
Thank your for your attention

• anna.herold_at_ec.europa.eu