A new set of rules for Audiovisual media services, including digital platforms, will be approved by the EP after an agreement reached by the EU institutions in April this year.

The revised legislation will apply to broadcasters, but also to video-on-demand and video-sharing platforms, such as Netflix, YouTube or Facebook; as well as to the live streaming on video-sharing platforms. EP negotiators managed to secure enhanced protection for children and at least 30% of European productions (currently at 20%) in the catalogue of TV channels and VOD platforms. Clearer and stricter rules on advertising will apply both for broadcasters and online platforms. Once the revised directive is published, the Member States will have 21 months to implement the directive into national law.

Audiovisual media services in the EU - 8th parliamentary term

Following political agreement with the Council, a vote in plenary on 2 October 2018 saw Parliament adopt the updated EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), based on the proposal presented by the Commission on 25 May 2016.

The overarching goal of the proposal was to bring about a balance between competitiveness and consumer protection. It therefore aimed to introduce flexibility when restrictions only applicable to TV are no longer justified, promote European films, protect minors and tackle hate speech more efficiently. The proposal also reflected a new approach to online platforms. Following adoption of the revised directive, EU Member States now have to bring the new rules into national law by 19 September 2020.

Audiovisual Media Services Directive

MEPs voted in October 2018 on updated rules on audiovisual media services, protecting children better, with stricter rules on advertising, and 30% European content in video-on-demand.

The legislation does not include any automatic filtering of uploaded content, but, at the request of the Parliament, platforms need to create a transparent, easy-to-use and effective mechanism to allow users to report or flag content. The new law includes strict rules on advertising, product placement in children’s TV programmes and content available on video-on-demand platforms. EP negotiators also secured a personal data protection mechanism for children, imposing measures to ensure that data collected by audiovisual media providers are not processed for commercial use, including for profiling and behaviourally targeted advertising.

#EUelections2019 - Audiovisual media services in the EU

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High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution

CULT Committee meeting - Vote on Audiovisual media services - Statements by rapporteurs Sabine VERHEYEN and Petra KAMMEREVERT

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EP audiovisual facilities at the European Parliament in Brussels

This Infoclip illustrates a free outdoor cinema with security distancing in Strasbourg. In a public garden, visitors can watch a movie or attend a music concert with with security distancing. Day and night atmosphere during the event.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Out of lockdown - free outdoor cinema with security distancing

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Clip: European Parliament Audiovisual services

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and Mariya GABRIEL, Member of the EC in charge of Digital Economy and Society, give a press point on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution, in the European Parliament, in Brussels.

Press point by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and Mariya GABRIEL, Member of the EC in charge of Digital Economy and Society, on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, gives the opening speech at the High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution, organised in the EP in Brussels.

High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution: opening speech by Antonio TAJANI, EP President

Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Karoline EDTSTADLER, Austrian Presidency of the EU, sign various legislative acts, during the plenary session (12-15/11/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Lex signing ceremony: signature by Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Karoline EDTSTADLER, Austrian Presidency of the EU

Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE) and Petra KAMMEREVERT (S&D, DE), Rapporteurs, speak to the press about the audiovisual media services directive, during the plenary session (01-04/10/2018) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Press conference by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE) and Petra KAMMEREVERT (S&D, DE), Rapporteurs, on the audiovisual media services directive

During the plenary session (01-04/10/2018) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on updated rules on audiovisual media services, ensuring better protection for children and a 30% quota of European works in online platforms’ catalogues. The new rules will apply to broadcasters, but also to platforms such as Netflix, YouTube or Facebook, as well as to live streaming on video-sharing platforms. Statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE) and Petra KAMMEREVERT (S&D, DE), Rapporteurs and illustrative shots.

Provision of audiovisual media services: extracts from the vote, statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE) and Petra KAMMEREVERT (S&D, DE), Rapporteurs and illustrative shots

This infoclip shows images of a shooting 'making of' of a TV programme in the city of Ghent, Belgium on 25/09/2018.

Audiovisual Media Services Directive (T)

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Infoclip: Covid-19 - Out of lockdown - free outdoor cinema with security distancing

Clip: European Parliament Audiovisual services

Press point by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and Mariya GABRIEL, Member of the EC in charge of Digital Economy and Society, on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution

High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution: opening speech by Antonio TAJANI, EP President

Lex signing ceremony: signature by Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Karoline EDTSTADLER, Austrian Presidency of the EU

Press conference by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE) and Petra KAMMEREVERT (S&D, DE), Rapporteurs, on the audiovisual media services directive

Provision of audiovisual media services: extracts from the vote, statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE) and Petra KAMMEREVERT (S&D, DE), Rapporteurs and illustrative shots

Infoclip: European Audiovisual industry: shooting making of

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EE 2019 - 2019 European Elections campaign photo toolkit - TV studio set in the ASP building - VoxBox

High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution

High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution

High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution

High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution

High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution

High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution

High-level roundtable on the audio-visual media and the challenge of the digital revolution

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CULT Committee meeting - Vote on Audiovisual media services - Statements by rapporteurs Sabine VERHEYEN and Petra KAMMEREVERT

Media Coverage of the Outcome of the UK referendum on EU membership

EP audiovisual facilities at the European Parliament in Brussels

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Audiovisual media services in the EU - 8th parliamentary term