‘Television Without Frontiers’ Directive

12.3.2014

Question for written answer E-002916-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Sir Graham Watson (ALDE)

The ‘Television Without Frontiers’ Directive aims to encourage programming of European origin on TV as well as to facilitate the cross-border transmission of audiovisual programmes. Directive 89/522/EEC, as amended by Directive 2007/65/EC, states in Article 2a that ‘Member States shall ensure freedom of reception and shall not restrict retransmissions on their territory of audiovisual media services from other Member States for reasons which fall within the fields coordinated by this directive’.

1. Is the Commission aware that some broadcasters are narrowing the field in which programmes can be picked up within Europe, deliberately in order to limit viewers’ access to these transmissions? Is the Commission satisfied that this approach is in line with the directive?

2. Recital 20 of Directive 2007/65/EC highlights that television broadcasting currently includes, in particular, analogue and digital television, live streaming and webcasting. Can the Commission confirm whether preventing live streaming of television is compliant with the directive?

OJ C 326, 19/09/2014