Brussels, 09/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - After a difficult year in 2009, the commercial broadcasting sector in Europe is once again in good shape in 2010, says ACT, the Association of Commercial Television in Europe. Revenue from advertising is increasing and pay TV operators have proved to be resilient to the crisis, even achieving a rise in subscription numbers. Today the broadcasting market is in a strong position, contributing actively to the growth and competitiveness of the European economy as set out in the EU's digital agenda.
ACT points out that: 1) the European television market ranks second at global level, with a turnover of €79.6 billion; 2) the wider creative industries, to which commercial television belongs, provided 14.4 million jobs in Europe in 2008, 6.5% of EU jobs; 3) more than 245 new channels were launched in 2009 and 720 on-demand services are now available across Europe; 4) all over Europe, commercial broadcasters have invested in new media platforms and services and today offer high definition, 3D and mobile as well as new platforms such as IPTV (internet protocol television) and connected TV; 5) private television groups have seen a growth rate of 10% in the first half of 2010 compared with the first six months of 2009; 6) there is great interest in watching content from commercial broadcasters: in the UK, for example, commercial channels accounted for 62% of total TV viewing in the first half of 2010.
So that commercial broadcasters remain competitive globally, ACT makes a number of recommendations for EU regulators: 1) in a media environment in which traditional lines of content regulation between linear and non-linear television are blurring, greater flexibility for the commercial broadcasting sector will be crucial to allow commercial channels to launch innovative services on the same footing as their new competitors in the market; 2) it is important for member states and the Commission's DG Competition to keep the extent and regulation of state intervention in broadcasting and related markets under review; 3) while commercial broadcasters have to protect their assets in content rights, including effective anti-piracy measures, ACT does not accept that there is a problem of “access to content”; rather, where demand exists commercial broadcasters offer linear and non-linear services also on a cross-border basis; 4) the recent decisions on taxes being imposed on commercial broadcasters in France and Spain do not only seem questionable when it comes to their compatibility with European law but also with regard to a possible discrimination between different media.
ACT Director General Ross Biggam has issued a call for dialogue with EU legislators allowing greater flexibility for the regulation of creative content in the future. “Why not engage in a wider debate, asking which structures of regulation are necessary to ensure the diversity of ideas and opinions in the media, without stifling the rights of freedom of expression enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights?” he asked, arguing that this is the only way in which meaningful, future-proof regulation of content can be achieved. (I.L./transl.rt)