Euro Commercial Nets Seek Broader Role in EC Digital Agenda

BRUSSELS: The Association of Commercial Television, which represents 32 broadcasters across Europe, is calling on the European Commission to give the region’s content sector a greater role in its Digital Agenda mandate.

The Commission’s Digital Agenda is a road map for bringing the benefits of a digital society and economy to Europe’s citizens. It will be discussed at the first Digital Agenda Assembly, set for June 16 and 17 in Brussels.

“The content industry is a major contributor to growth and employment in Europe," noted Philippe Delusinne, ACT’s president (and the CEO of RTL Belgium). "Commercial broadcasters are enthusiastically embracing the online opportunities and take financial risk in developing new content for all platforms. As businesses which will be all-digital within a couple of years, we are natural partners in [European Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie] Kroes’ work, but the Digital Agenda debates are dominated by the concerns of the ICT [information and communications technology] sector. The experiences of Europe’s content companies will be decisive in persuading consumers to sign up to a digital Europe and we call on the Commissioner to acknowledge the key role of our sector at next month’s Digital Assembly."

Gina Nieri, ACT’s VP (and Mediaset board member), added, “In Italy the TV industry alone is worth around 12 billion euros, accounting for 1 percent of GDP. It employs around 50,000 people, while around 12,000 subcontractors and SMEs operate throughout the entire supply chain. The audiovisual sector is at the core of the media and culture industry in Italy and generates investments reaching 25 billion euros yearly. In order for us to remain competitive in the future, it is essential to ensure fair competition and a true level playing field with new entrants in the market."

David Wheeldon, ACT’s VP and BSkyB’s policy and public affairs director, commented, “We believe in the value of content. That is why we are ready to invest billions in content each year. In the U.K. the creative industries account for 6 percent of U.K. gross added value and are a significant sector in the U.K. economy. Traditional broadcasters are readily embracing new media technologies and offering viewers ever greater choice and flexibility in the way they access content. However, in order to continue to invest and to innovate we need an IP framework that provides choice and flexibility for investors in content and does not mandate the way content rights are exploited."