The EBU in brief

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the largest professional association of national broadcasters in the world.

The Union has 71 active Members in 52 countries of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, and 46 associate Members in 29 countries further afield.

The EBU was founded in February 1950 by western European radio and television broadcasters. It merged with the OIRT - its counterpart in Eastern Europe - in 1993.

Working on behalf of its Members in the European area, the EBU negotiates broadcasting rights for major sports events, operates the Eurovision and Euroradio networks, organizes programme exchanges, stimulates and coordinates co-productions, and provides a full range of other operational, commercial, technical, legal and strategic services.
At its office in Brussels, the EBU represents the interests of public service broadcasters before the European institutions.

The EBU works in close collaboration with sister unions on other continents.

Eurovision

The Eurovision permanent network (up to 50 digital channels on a Eutelsat satellite) carries constant exchanges of TV news and programmes. Most news and sports pictures on European screens pass through the EBU.

Television

Television cooperation extend to educational programmes, documentaries and co-productions of animation series, competitions for young musicians, young dancers and screenwriters. It also includes traditional light entertainment such as the Eurovision Song Contest.

Radio

Radio collaboration covers music, news, sports, youth programmes, local and regional stations. Each year the Euroradio network relays 2,500 concerts and operas, and the Radio Department coordinates the transmission of 440 sports fixtures and 120 major news events.

Technical

Cooperation in the technical sphere is one of the EBU's major activities. The Union is in the forefront of research and development of new broadcast media, and has led or contributed to the development of many new radio and TV systems: radio data system (RDS), digital audio broadcasting (DAB), digital television (DVB), high- definition TV (HDTV).

Legal and Public Affairs

From copyright to sports and news, from broadcast regulation to co-productions, from telecommunications to public service, wherever broadcasters� are confronted with legal questions or regulatory challenges, the Legal and Public Affairs Department provides assistance, prepares the ground for adopting common positions and represents and promotes/defends the Members' interests vis-�-vis the relevant international organizations and in professional fora.

Headquarters - Geneva

European Broadcasting Union
17A, Ancienne Route
CH-1218 Grand-Saconnex
Switzerland

Tel: + 41 (0) 22 717 2111
fax: + 41 (0) 22 747 4000
ebu@ebu.ch