The EBU is pleased that EU Member States have agreed on a general approach to the regulation aiming to enable the cross-border portability of online content in the EU. Agreement on a general approach was reached during the Competitiveness Council of 26/27 May.

EBU Head of European Affairs Nicola Frank said:  “We welcome the outcome of the Council’s discussions because they have clarified how public service media organizations can offer access to their programmes to citizens who are travelling abroad in the EU. The possibility for EBU members who offer their online services without payment to opt-in to the portability system is the right way forward.”

Under the proposed Regulation, EU citizens who have purchased or subscribed to an audiovisual service, such as a video on-demand portal, would be able to use the service when travelling abroad. Today’s discussions in Council have also clarified the conditions under which free-to-air broadcasters would be able to offer portable services for national residents.

The European Parliament is also examining the proposal for a Regulation and is expected to deliver a report by the end of the year. The EBU urges the European Parliament to also enable broadcasters to opt-in to the content portability system on similar terms as proposed by the EU Member States.