The chief executive at RTL, Europe’s largest broadcaster, has called on the UK government to extend the ban on companies outside the EU investing in British broadcasting firms until similar laws in the US are relaxed.
Speaking at the Royal Television Society’s International Conference in London, Didier Bellens voiced his disapproval of US TV ownership rules which currently limit external holdings to 25%.
“Why give the US access when we are not getting anything in return?” Bellens pontificated. “We are certainly not against US investment in Europe but simply asking for the same treatment.”
The Draft Communications Bill proposes lifting the current restrictions on the foreign ownership of UK media but there is no provision for a reciprocal agreement. The legislation would enable overseas organisations such as News Corporation to invest in broadcasting companies like Channel 5 which is part-owned by RTL.
Earlier this week, Bellens played down talk of a takeover bid for Carlton or Granada and claimed that RTL had no interest in United Business Media’s 35% stake in Channel 5 (see RTL Not After ITV Or Remaining C5 Stake).
Also present at the conference was Richard Parsons, the chief executive of AOL Time Warner. He ruled out any imminent move for a British broadcaster, claiming that the current priority was to stabilise finances at its online arm (see AOL Time Warner Pulls Back Forecasts Due To Poor Online Ad Revenues). However, he hinted at future expansion and welcomed the changes proposed by the Department of Culture, Media & Sport.
“The thrust of what your government is trying to do to encourage greater competition and encourage more voices and let the market place set the pace, the more your consumers will benefit from that,” he said.
