Demand for online TV and radio is growing among EU internet users, especially among younger audiences. The new rules aim to make it easier for broadcasters to make their news and current affairs content available online in other EU countries, thus offering consumers a wider choice of programmes than at present.

Infographic on how Europeans consume online TV.

Changes in copyright clearance

The proposed regulation promotes the provision of more online TV and radio by addressing difficulties related to the clearance of copyright.

What’s new:

broadcasters would only have to clear the rights in their own country to make available their online news and current affairs content for audiences in other EU countries too; these programmes may include content protected by copyright which currently cannot be cleared in a short time-frame for each and every country ,

broadcasters could make news and current affairs programmes available online in other countries at the same time as their broadcast or as catch-up services, and

operators who offer packages of channels could more easily clear the rights to programmes from other member states through collective management organisations representing right holders.

However, it will be possible for broadcasters to geo-block their online content if the right-holder and broadcaster so agree in their contracts. MEPs highlighted that this is necessary in order to support current licensing models for the audio-visual sector and to promote cultural diversity.

Quotes

Rapporteur Tiemo Wölken (S&D, DE) said: “The chance to create a European audience was missed. Conservative forces put the interests of Big Players over the interests of millions of European citizens in an irrational, unbalanced way. Under the pretext of cultural diversity European Broadcasters are refrained from adapting to the digital age.”

Next steps

The mandate to start negotiations with the Council was approved by 15 votes to 8, with 1 abstention. The negotiations among the co-legislators can start once the plenary gives its green light.