These days we can watch our favourite programmes not just on TV, but also online. These shows are subject to the rules of the single market.
The EU's Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) governs EU-wide coordination of national legislation on all audiovisual media — traditional TV broadcasts and on-demand services.
The latest review of AVMSD was carried out in 2018. To help Member States with the implementation of the new AVMSD the Commission has adopted three sets of guidelines:
- guidelines on video sharing platforms
- guidelines on European works
- guidelines on the scope of Member States’ media literacy reports
Goals of EU coordination
- Providing rules to shape technological developments
- Creating a level playing field for emerging audiovisual media
- Preserving cultural diversity
- Protecting children and consumers
- Safeguarding media pluralism
- Combating racial and religious hatred
- Guaranteeing the independence of national media regulators
Areas of EU coordination
The AVMSD governs EU-wide coordination of national legislation in the following areas:
- general principles
- incitement to hatred
- accessibility for people with disabilities
- principles of jurisdiction
- major events
- promotion and distribution of European works
- commercial communications
- protection of minors
Further Reading
Reports of targeted consultations
- On the method of calculation of the share of European works and the exemptions for low audience and low turnover (Art. 13(7) Directive (EU) 2010/13) — published 18/06/2020
- On the practical application of the essential functionality criterion of the definition of video sharing platform services (Recital 5 of Directive 2018 /180) — published 18/06/2020
Download documents
- AVMSD - 2010/13/EU - Codified version (All languages)
- Corrigendum to Directive 2010/13/EU ( OJ L 95, 15.4.2010 )
- Guidelines on the method of calculation of the share of European works and the exemptions for low audience and low turnover (Article 13(7) Directive (EU) 2010/13)
- Guidelines on the practical application of the essential functionality criterion of the definition of video-sharing platform services (Recital 5 of Directive (EU) 2018/1808/EU)
- Guidelines on the scope of Member States’ reports concerning measures for the promotion and development of media literacy skills (Article 33a(3) of Directive (EU) 2018/1808)
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Big Picture
The Commission supports the digital transformation and competitiveness of the audiovisual and media sector in order to stimulate access to quality content and media pluralism.
Dig deeper
The transformation of the audiovisual media landscape offers the potential for new experiences and opportunities. It also poses many questions for us.
International agreements and constraints in the audiovisual sector play an important role on how the EU and Member States develop audiovisual policy.
The revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive creates a media framework for Europe's digital decade.
The MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe programme is designed to support European film and other audiovisual industries.
The European Film Forum is a platform for a structured dialogue between policy makers and stakeholders in the audiovisual sector.
The Media and Audiovisual Action Plan (MAAP) aims to boost European media and help maintain European cultural and technological autonomy in the Digital Decade.
See Also
Virtual worlds, also referred to as metaverses, will provide opportunities as well as challenges. The Commission will ensure they reflect EU values and fundamental rights and foster innovation for businesses.
The Commission is promoting a coherent approach on media policies, covering legislation on media services and the preservation of European cultural heritage.
Cultural heritage is evolving rapidly thanks to digital technologies. The momentum is now to preserve our cultural heritage and bring it to this digital decade.
The European Commission is adapting EU copyright rules to new consumer behaviours in a Europe which values its cultural diversity.
The European Union upholds media freedom and pluralism as pillars of modern democracy and enablers of free and open debate.