Commercial broadcasters are warning that proposals by the European Commission to impose cross-border levies will lead to less localisation by broadcasters and fewer jobs in the sector.
In a joint statement issued by the ABBRO, ACT, ARCA, COBA, EGTA, VÖP and VPRT, the broadcasters say Article 13 of the new Audiovisual Directive, as drafted, seriously undermines the Country of Origin principle by discouraging broadcasters from making channels, particularly niche channels, available across borders.
They say the Country of Origin principle has previously allowed for economies of scale that has helped niche services find larger markets.
“The playing field is already tilted in the favour of non-linear services, who are not subject to the robust regulations that apply to linear services for advertising (content and volume), access services, child protection and the promotion of European works (at 50%) and independent works. Extending the cross-border levy to linear channels will therefore make this playing field even more unequal,” the organisations say in a statement.
Commercial broadcasters are concerned as to what they see as the regulatory advantages held by on demand services.
