The European Commission has published the consolidated text of its revised Television Without Frontiers Directive. The new Audiovisual without Frontiers Directive is designed to provide a legal framework to Europe’s audiovisual sector following developments in video-on-demand, mobile TV and digital TV.
The proposals include a relaxation on the amount of advertising that can be screened and for the first time covers product placement. The new rules place a distinction between linear and on demand content. There is also a tightening of the rules concerning the country of origin to ensure broadcasters do not base themselves in one country simply to avoid the rules of another.
The text will now go through a second reading by the European Parliament and Council. (JC)
