One week left for EU internet TV consultation

The European Commission’s consultation on media convergence, looking at issues such as connected TV standards, on-demand broadcast rules and TV advertising limitations, is due to close at the end of next week. 

The EU initially the Green Paper, called ‘Preparing for a Fully Converged Audiovisual World: Growth, Creation and Values’, back in April and set a deadline for the end of August for stakeholders and the wider public to share their views.

Submissions are welcomed on topics such as: the right conditions for EU businesses to deal with international, especially US, competition; media freedom, content accessibility and the protection of children; single market standards and promoting the right technological environment; and how convergence and changing consumer behaviour will influence how films, TV shows and other content is financed.

“Connected TV is the next big thing in the creative and digital worlds. Convergence between sectors means people can enjoy a wider choice of great content – but it also creates disruptions and challenges. We need a converged and EU-wide debate to help deal with these changes. To help business flourish, nurture creativity and protect our values,” said European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes back in April.

The European Commission estimates that there are more than 40.4 million ‘connected TVs’ in Europe, and they could be in the majority of EU households by 2016, “sweeping away traditional boundaries between consumers, broadcast media and the internet.”