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Welcome to EURO-INFO - the Newsletter of the EBU Brussels Office
Visit the EBU members' area for the full Euro-Info report, more detailed articles, policy documents and timelines, and more. You can create an account to access our members' area via this link.
 
highlights
 
EU Competition Commissioner praises impact of Nordic drama series and role of PSM
The European Parliament witnessed the power of Nordic drama series during a fascinating event organized by the EBU’s Nordic Members on Tuesday 24 January. EU deciders paid tribute to some of their favorite series and also addressed key Digital Single Market policy issues.
EBU News article
 
Copyright: EBU publishes two pager in support of draft EU rules on broadcasters' online transmissions
The EBU considers that these rules will strikes the balance between the need to give more access to TV content across borders in the Digital Single Market and the importance of safeguarding the contractual freedom of rightsholders and broadcasters. Download the document
 
EU UHF Spectrum agreement will safeguard future of free-to-air TV distribution 
The EBU welcomed the vote by the European Parliament’s Industry Committee on the long term future of the UHF frequencies, which protects access to UHF spectrum below 700 MHz for terrestrial TV broadcasting until at least 2030. -
EBU press release - Members' area - Documents
 
EBU obtains EU funding to launch ‘Generation What? Arabic version’
The Brussels office signed in December 2016 an 18-month Service contract with the European Commission to develop an Arabic-language version of ‘Generation What?’. - Members' area
 
upcoming events
- EBU AVMS Breakfast meeting on 9 February in Brussels will address the review of Audiovisual Media Services Directive with MEPs Sabine Verheyen and Petra Kammerevert, Deputy Head of the Bavarian Permanent Representation to the EU Dr. Armin Hartmuth and YLE CEO Lauri Kivinen. Contact the EBU Brussels Office to register.

- Treaty of Rome 60th anniversary: RAI will organize a special event in Rome on 3 March 2017 to address political and cultural actions to revitalize EU values and identities and to reconnect with Europeans citizens. If interested in speaking or participating, please contact the RAI Office in Brussels - Draft programme

- 2017 EBU Big Data Conference will take place on 21 and 22 March  in Geneva. It will be a unique occasion to strengthen and expand the EBU Big Data community, actively engage members and discuss major questions for PSM such as how to make best use of recommendation tools, develop approaches to big data which reflect PSM values and how to better engage with younger audiences. Registration page
 
IN DETAIL
AUDIOVISUAL REGULATION
- AVMS: Talks between the European Parliament’s co-rapporteurs, Sabine Verheyen and Petra Kammerevert, and shadow rapporteurs from other political groups are currently paving the way towards a vote in the lead Culture Committee which is expected to take place in March. Negotiations appear to be progressing slowly but surely.  - Members' area - Documents

- Accessibility: The European Parliament's Internal Market Committee has published its Draft Report on the EU Accessibility Act . - Members' area - Documents
MEDIA DISTRIBUTION
- Telecoms Package: On 26 January, the ITRE Committee hosted a public hearing to discuss and gather expertise on the proposed Directive establishing a new European Electronic Communications Code. Rapporteur Pilar del Castillo said she aims at finalizing a first draft report by the beginning of March. - Members' area - Documents
COPYRIGHT AND LICENSING
- Broadcasters online: With opposition mounting against the Commission's Proposal , Margrethe Vestager, EU Commissioner for Competition, stepped in to dismiss fears voice by several rights older organizations as well as commercial broadcasters regarding the proposed Regulation's alleged impact on the territoriality of copyright. - EBU News article Members' area - Documents

- Broadcasters online:
MEP Dietmar Köster has left the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, which means that he also leaves his position as rapporteur on the Proposal on Broadcasters' online transmissions. - Members' area

- Content portability: Following the adoption of the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee report on the cross-border portability of online content services, trilogue negotiations have begun. A first official trilogue meeting will take place on 7 February. 
- Members' area - Documents
EU INSTITUTIONS
- New European Parliament President:  Half-way through its current mandate, the European Parliament has chosen a new President – centre-right Italian MEP Antonio Tajani. - Members' area

- Digital Economy and Society: Commission Vice-president Andrus Ansip will temporarily take charge of the Digital Economy and Society portfolio. No replacement has been nominated yet for the post following Günther Oettinger's move to the Budget and Human Resources portfolio. Members' area
DATA AND PRIVACY
- E-privacy:  The European Commission has proposed new e-privacy rules and opened a 'Data Economy' consultation. The EBU is in the process of deciding whether to make a contribution to these initiatives. - Members' area
TRADE
- EU-Canada: European Parliament moves towards CETA ratification - Members' area
CULTURE POLICY
- European culture and arts Alliance: the EBU has joined a broad coalition urging the EU to place culture and arts at the heart of the European project. - Read the appeal

- Cultural and creative industries:
The EBU welcomed the EU Parliament's call to support research for European cultural and creative industries
- EBU news article - Members' area - Documents 
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