Brussels, 19/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT) has published a new study, Audiovisual Content and Online Growth, which highlights the key role played by the commercial television sector in providing online creative content. The aim was to bring some factual analysis to the debate around the contribution of the audiovisual content sector to the European digital economy. The study quantifies the spending by commercial television on programming. The largest commercial broadcasting groups in Europe invested €15.1 billion in programme content in 2010 and around 40% of broadcasters' revenues are reinvested in the next season's schedule, points out ACT President Philippe Delusinne. The study also shows the strong consumer take-up of the hundreds of new services launched by commercial broadcasters online, part of the legal offer of content widely seen as a vital tool against piracy. “Great programming isn't cheap. The media business will continue to invest and to innovate so as to ensure that the strengths of our sector are also reflected in the online world”, Delusinne promised. (IL/transl.rt)