Euro iPlayer imminent as EU online portability rules agreed
Details
Joseph O'Halloran
| 08 February 2017

European Union online TV and video, VOD and OTT users will now be able to use their services across the union after negotiators finalised Digital Single Market (DSM) regulations.

The agreement is the first related to the modernisation on EU copyright rules as proposed by the European Commission in the DSM strategy. The EU says that its new portability rules will fit to new ways Europeans enjoy cultural and entertainment content. It quoted research showing that in 2016, 64% of Europeans used the internet to play or download games, images, films or music; and increasingly through mobile devices. In a survey carried out in 2015, one in three Europeans wanted cross-border portability.

In practice, online content service providers — the EC cited Netflix, MyTF1, HBO Go, Amazon Prime, Mubi, Chili TV Viasat’s Viaplay, Sky’s Now TV, Voyo — will verify the subscriber’s country of residence by using means such as payment details, the existence of an internet contract or by checking the IP address. All providers who offer paid online content services will have to follow the new rules. The services provided without payment — such as the online services of public TV or radio broadcasters — will have the possibility to decide to also provide portability to their subscribers.

“Digital technologies provide new opportunities to enjoy cultural content on the go, and people are eager to use them,” said Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner in charge of education, culture, youth and sport. “[The] agreement opens new doors to citizens while at the same time protecting creators and those investing in the production of cultural or sport content. This balanced solution is an encouraging sign for our efforts to build a Digital Single Market that offers new opportunities for both creators and consumers.”

The agreed text must now be formally confirmed by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. Once adopted, the rules will become applicable in all EU member states by beginning of 2018 as the regulation grants providers and right holders a nine-month period to prepare for the application of the new rules.