Hot topics click link for more
Broadcasters, publishers “engage” on copyright issues
EC tries to avoid ACTA repeat
Copyright issues are a plague upon every media house. And they are more complicated in the digital era as everybody, it seems, is a rights holder. The European Commission has taken on some of the challenges with a stakeholder dialogue called ‘Licenses for Europe’. The final plenary was held this week in Brussels.
The object, of course, is to wrestle commitments from the audiovisual industry on cross border licensing (all the better to watch TV shows away from home), micro-licensing for online music and access to archive broadcast material.
“We need to be pragmatic to make progress in copyright matters,” said EC VP for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes is a statement. “We now need to look at the role updated legislation could play in delivering further progress.” Commissioner Kroes, Internal Markets Commissioner Michel Barnier and Culture/Education Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou have led the ‘Licenses for Europe” dialogue in parallel with a general EC review of copyright law.
Association of Commercial Television Europe (ACT) participated in the “long and detailed” process, noted director general Ross Biggam in a statement, while regretting “not all stakeholders chose to engage.” (See ACT release here) The ACT – and others – opposes a wholesale rewrite of the Copyright Directive.
Not “engaging” were certain consumer advocate groups, French NGO La Quadrature du Net in particular. “Through this initiative, the Commission shows its contempt of the many citizens who participated in defeating ACTA and are still mobilized against repressive policies,” said the group when ‘Licenses for Europe’ was announced last February. Consumer and digital advocates, still grinning broadly at the popular revolt against the secretly written ACTA proposal, noted the preponderance of traditional media organizations in the stakeholders dialogue.
Also participating was the European Publishers Council (EPC), which supported ACTA as a means of coordinating copyright licensing online. “On a practical level, governments should hold calls for tenders to develop tools and technology to support the implementation of Web Content Declarations and we need them to encourage interoperable national or regional hubs,” explained EPC executive director Angela Wade Mills in a statement. (See EPC release here) “With an estimated figure of 2.4 billion web content users and re-users today, there is an unimaginable source of untapped commercial potential for the creators, the users and indeed for the global digital economy. We are playing our part but this isn’t something we can achieve alone.” (JMH)
Be a radio sports reporter
Opportunity knocks
Everyone who loves radio sports – not to forget radio drama and, well, radio everything – appreciates the talent of the voices who bring life to the airwaves. These remarkable people had to start somewhere and today entry opportunities for young people are few and far between. Broadcasters could do more and some are doing just that.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the European Section of the International Sport Press Association (AIPS-Europe) have initiated a ‘Young Radio Reporters’ program to give young people a bit of a career boost. (See EBU presser here) After a bit of coaching from national public broadcasters, those selected will produce audio features available on the IBU website. (JMH)
Google war turns to secrets
“Time ripens all things”
Publishers have been moaning about search engine Google since the beginning of time or, at least, this century. Exhausted by it all, national courts and anti-trust authorities kicked the can to Brussels hoping the European Commission’s competition office would devise a grand bargain to force payments and other concessions from Google lawyers. The investigation by DG Competition began in November 2010 and entered confidential negotiations about 18 months ago.
EC Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia has always pressed publicly for a speedy resolution, speedy meaning different things to different people. Google lawyers responded with a proposal early this year to make competitor search results more visible. EC lawyers wanted more and a second proposal arrived at the first of October with an understanding of confidentiality. (See more on Google here)
“We asked Google to improve significantly its proposals,” said Commissioner Almunia, quoted by Dow Jones (October 1). “Google has now improved the commitments it has offered. I can tell you the new proposal more proportionately addresses the needs for commitments.” EC observers note a certain interest by Commissioner Almunia in getting a settlement with Google before his term expires.
Confidentiality was lost earlier this month when that second proposal was leaked, reportedly by “rivals.” Secrecy being high on every agenda, particularly when it concerns an American high-tech company that trades in data, Google critics roared. Among other terms, it seem that Google lawyers want limits on compliance.
Big publishing houses and support groups, among multitudes in line for Google Money, have been unimpressed with this second proposal, not to forget the secrecy involved. “Google shows no willingness to change its anti-competitive behavior and has even expanded its unauthorized use of third-party content,” said a spokesperson for the Spanish Association of Daily Newspapers in a statement released by the European Publishers Council (EPC). (See EPC statement here) Others confounded by the process are demanding the EC move on to big fines for Google or something more punitive.
Restoring communications links in the Philippines
No power, no communications
In a wide swath of the Philippines islands devastated by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda there is no power making internal communications impossible. Cellphone networks are down. Some television and radio stations are operating but in affected areas the absence of electrical power denies vital information from broadcasters and the web.
Noting that essential communication infrastructure could be weeks or months from being reestablished, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has sent emergency gear, mostly satellite uplink and downlink equipment. (See ITU notification here)
The ITU will host in Geneva, November 21st, a special workshop on emergency broadcasting, highlighting the role of radio and television in bringing “the fastest, reliable and most effective means of delivering information in these critical situations.” (JMH)
Culture committee chairman calls for more censorship
“everything can change”
Russian people are not satisfied with their newspapers and TV channels. The problem, said State Duma Culture Committee chairman Stanislav Govorukhin, is the inability of the State to control publishers and broadcasters. Ah, the good old days…
“The law on mass media was written back in the ‘wild ‘90’s,” said Mr. Govorukhin, who has been a Russian MP since 1993, quoted by Interfax (November 12). “Today the main task of the media is education of the younger generation. It follows that it is time for the legislature to revise these laws.” (See more on media in Russia here)
Mr. Govorukhin, a well-known film-maker from the Soviet era, did not venture specific changes except to note that Russian people might not support State meddling in editorial policies of media outlets. But, he added, “Tomorrow everything can change.”
The Russian State Duma is currently debating changes to current law that would restrict advertising on television programs that target children. (JMH)
Smart TVs outsmart consumers
Remember the VCR
Internet-enabled television devices – Smart TVs – have been big sellers. Since the beginning of 2013 in Germany internet-enabled TVs outsold the unconnected variety among first-time buyers, reported Bitcom. But most consumers don’t use the online features because they find it all too complicated.
“Six out of ten consumers don’t use the internet capability because, in their view, it’s easier to go to the web with their laptop or tablet,” said Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) technology, media and communications director Werner Ballhaus, quoted by Horizont.net (November 12). “How frequently Smart TV options are used depends largely on how easy the device is to use.”
A study of the Smart TV market in Germany by PwC showed the value rising to more the €500 million by 2017, about four-times the 2012 market value. The German retail electronics industry with manufacturers Samsung and Sony sponsored the study to lead into a marketing campaign promoting the virtues of the Smart TV.
“The Smart TV is at the beginning of a promising career in Germany,” said Herr Ballhaus. “If technical hurdles are overcome, more and more owners are likely to use a Smart TV and give a major boost to content providers.” (JMH)
Digital grumbling rises as deadlines approach
“exciting times”
As analogue radio switch-off, or decisions thereupon, loom larger grumblings among digital skeptics, critics and absolute enemies are growing. None of the arguments are particularly new; coverage, cars and cost. Deadlines and reality approach in tandem.
A group of UK commercial broadcasters fired off a statement this week (November 11) pleading for more thought and less action on any government rule making. UK Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries Ed Vaizey plans a statement on digital transition for radio broadcasting in mid-December. Consumer uptake of receiving devices for the primary digital radio platform, DAB (digital audio broadcasting), has slowed while online and smartphone listening gaits ahead. (See more on digital radio here)
“We think there's no need for the government to be committed to switchover,” said Celador chairman Paul Smith, in the statement. “The two platforms have sat together for many years. We are not saying it's bad technology but what's the point of excluding listeners from the services they are comfortable with?”
The biggest UK commercial radio broadcasters – Global Radio, Bauer Media and the BBC – remain committed, with caveat, to the DAB platform. The government pushed back its original plan for a mandated switch starting in 2015 from FM to DAB for national, regional and “large” local channels and stations. “These are exciting times for radio,” said Digital Radio UK CEO Ford Ennals to Radio Today (UK), commenting on the broadcaster’s statement.
A hard DAB switch-over date of 2017 has been set in Norway for national and regional broadcasters. Grumbling about cars and the cost of conversions is the consumer group Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF). “We don’t like more costs inflicted on motorists,” said NAF spokesperson Jan Ivar Engebretsen, quoted by Aftenposten (November 12), who said 2 million cars in Norway will require new radio receivers. “What is most regrettable is that DAB supporters say you only need a small device costing a few kroner without mentioning that a new radio antenna has to be mounted to get the new signals.” (JMH)
Broadcaster announces advertising awards
“not just commerce, but creativity”
Useful for building a little notice in any industry are awards events. All media sectors organize recognition of best practices nationally and internationally. For radio broadcasters the benefit of touting outstanding ads carries considerable weight.
The radio group of Ukraine’s United Media Holding (UMH) announced a radio creativity award to be given in 2014 and, hopefully, annually thereafter. “Radio advertising is not just commerce, but creativity,” said UMH radio VP Valentin Reznichenko, quoted by Telekritika (November 8). “Creators and producers need recognition.” Advertising awards, think Cannes Lions, excit the advertising people.
UMH is Ukraine’s largest private sector radio broadcaster with four national channels – Avtoradio, Europa Plus, Nashe Radio, Retro FM – plus three local stations – Lounge FM, Jam FM and Golos Stolytsi. “It is hard work to be the industry’s locomotive,” said Mr. Reznichenko. “As a key player in this market we obviously assume this responsibility.” Award recognition for radio stations and programming in Ukraine has been in place for several years. (See more on media in Ukraine here)
Ukrainian energy company VETEK, principally controlled by Sergey Kurchenko, agreed to acquire UMH in June. The transaction details were not disclosed by the principals but former UMH owner Boris Lozhkin indicated to Forbes the deal, which closed November 5th, was worth something short of US$500 million. In addition to radio stations and networks, UMH publishes magazines in Ukraine and Russia, operates news, sports and lifestyle web portals and owns food and cooking TV channel Menu TV. The company also owns over 800 retail kiosks. (JMH)
|
