European Broadcasting Directive – New Restrictions

The European Commission has introduced new proposals to modify its five year old broadcasting directive. The current directive calls for broadcasters to ensure that half of their programming is of European origin. The new directive toughens this rule by removing a provision that it be applied “only where practicable.” The draft changes also narrow the definition of programmes which could be counted as part of the quotas and require half of independently produced programmes to be recent material. They also set guidelines for investment in film channels and ban advertising on home shopping services.

These proposals would prove extremely restrictive, and according to industry observers, would deter innovation and commercial investment in emerging multi- media services by tethering the industry to the past.