These changes are taking place regardless of the traditional dividing lines between consumers, broadcasting and the internet. The Commission wants to explore the implications that convergence in technology and content can have for economic growth, innovation, cultural diversity and consumers (especially those in need of protection, such as children) in Europe.European Commission Vice-President Neely Kroes said: "Connected TV is the next major leap in the world of digital media and creation. Convergence of different sectors means a greater variety of quality content for consumers, but at the same time difficulties and challenges. To be able to face these developments, we need a dialogue at a pan-European level. To help businesses grow, encourage creation and protect our values.".
With the Green Paper (available in English, French and German), the Commission invites stakeholders and the general public to exchange views by the end of August 2013, on issues such as:
- The rules of the game: creating appropriate conditions that will help dynamic European businesses face international competition (mainly from the US), as competitors may be subject to different rules.
- Protection of European values (including media freedom) and users' interests (e.g. child protection, accessibility for disabled users): should there be greater protection for television programmes than for internet content? And where should the dividing lines be drawn?
- Single market and standards: there are signs that some devices do not work the same way in all EU Member States. How can we promote the right technological environment?
- Financing: how will this convergence and changing consumer behavior affect the way films, TV shows and other content are financed? How should the various actors involved in the new value chain contribute?
- Media openness and pluralism: should the public intervene in pre-defined filtering mechanisms, e.g. in search engines? Do the practices currently applied at wholesale level for high-demand content – e.g. for major sporting events, recent blockbusters – affect market access and the sustainable operation of businesses? Are the various platforms sufficiently open?
This new reality is already the subject of debate in various EU countries and in the European Parliament. Views on how to deal with it differ. Some call for immediate changes to rules and legislation, others are satisfied with the current status quo for now, while others are in favour of self-regulation and co-regulation. The Green Paper does not foresee any measures, but the Commission could consider regulatory and policy responses, including self-regulation, in the future.
General information
- Convergence has been underway for many years and is progressing rapidly, creating the following prospects:
- Product manufacturers and designers can meet the demand of an ever-growing market by creating innovative, easy-to-use and easily accessible devices.
- Internet network operators, seeing the demand for bandwidth constantly increasing, will have an incentive to invest in high-speed networks.
- Content creators will be able to test new ways of producing and delivering content.
- Broadcasters and emerging competitors will be able to offer their customers content and services with comparative advantages.
- Both established and new broadcasters will have more platforms at their disposal to distribute and enhance their programs, as well as to make them interactive.
The European legislation that may be affected by the follow-up to the Green Paper is mainly the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) (2010/13/EU), which aims at a single market and legal certainty for the European television and audiovisual sector by creating a level playing field for broadcasting and on-demand audiovisual media services. Given the increasing convergence with online services, the Green Paper raises the question of whether current measures are fit for the future.
The Commission has also recently launched public consultations on media freedom and pluralism, and in particular on the independence of audiovisual regulators.
