Tough New European Broadcasting Regulations

The European Commission yesterday tightened European broadcasting legislation to force television channels to broadcast more European programmes. The revised directive, which will be put to a council meeting early in April, would mean that European broadcasters, including privately-owned satellite channels, will have to ensure that at least 51% of their programmes are produced in the Union.

The rules, designed to protect the European film and television industries, will apply for only ten years. After that the industry is expected to be able to withstand the force of international competition.

In drafting the broadcasting rules, the Commission eliminated a clause in the 1989 directive, under which broadcasters had to observe local content rules “wherever practical”. With this removed, broadcasters will no longer be able to argue that it is impractical for them to comply. Thematic broadcasting channels however, such as TNT, the cartoon network, have been granted an exemption. Thematic channels will be required to invest at least 25% of their programming budget in EU-made features.