European Union


Exclusive: Streamers push back as European Commission explores origins of EU content

Netflix, HBO Max and other streamers operating across Europe could see their content quotas being overhauled after the European Commission (EC) began preparatory moves to explore what constitutes ‘European’ programming, TBI has learned. Regulations first proposed in 2018 and enacted last year mean streamers must ensure a minimum of 30% of TV series and films […]

EU approves content portability rules

Customers will soon have access to their Netflix or Amazon Prime on-demand subscriptions across Europe. The European Parliament has approved new content portability rules that will let EU citizens access their online film and TV subscriptions while visiting other countries in the continent. Yesterday’s vote confirms the agreement reached between the European Parliament, Council and […]

UK will cover Brexit TV shortfall

The UK Treasury has pledged to underwrite any shortfall resulting from content companies receiving EU funding when Brexit is enacted. There has been widespread concern and confusion among UK producers about the status of projects receiving Creative Europe funding when the UK exits the European Union, which will happen following the result of June’s national […]

Brexit: UK media has shot at global expansion

A new report for the UK government looking at Brexit challenges and opportunities says there is a major opportunity for UK media companies to expand the business they do globally if the right policies are put into place. Soon after the UK referendum vote in favour of leaving the European Union, the government and industry-backed Creative […]

Netflix plots fully localised Polish service

Netflix has revealed plans to fully localise its on-demand service in Poland, striking back at doubters who have suggested the SVOD company is “irrelevant” in eastern Europe. The internet TV network claimed the new offer would be “a truly Polish service, using local language, currency and adding Polish TV shows and movies in addition to […]

Brexit: what does it mean for kids TV?

The kids TV business is starting to weigh the impact of Britain’s pending European Union exit. The kids sector in the UK was already under pressure, with the amount of locally made content steadily declining, and there was immediate concern over what Brexit will mean in terms of coproduction, access to EU funding and schemes, and […]

Mixed reaction to Commission’s TV plans

Industry players have reacted to the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive, unveiled by the European Commission yesterday. John Enser, a partner at media law firm Olswang said the introduction of a European quota for on-demand content will prove controversial. “In an on-demand environment, the prominence obligation is likely to prove highly controversial and subjective – […]

EU won’t enforce pan-Euro rights deals

The European Commission does not want to enforce pan-European content licensing as part of its Digital Single Market proposals. The the audiovisual industry could benefit from certain exemptions to restrictions on geo-blocking to enable it to continue to license on a territory-by-territory basis, according to Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for the digital economy and society. Speaking at […]

EU to probe Liberty Global’s Dutch cable takeover

European antitrust watchdog the European Commission will review Liberty Global’s agreed takeover of Dutch cable operator Ziggo. According to reports, the regulator has been formally notified of the deal and has until April 23 to either approve it or launch a more detailed investigation. The European Commission can also choose to refer the agreement to […]

Commission starts TV rights probe

Formal antitrust proceedings to examine programming agreements between US studios and European pay TV broadcasters are underway and could ultimately be extended to include other distributors, the European Commission confirmed today. EU spokesman Antoine Colombani told TBI this morning that the focus of the rights probe is currently restricted to the Hollywood Studios and their dealings […]