France's media regulator Arcom has adopted new rules to ensure the visibility of public service broadcasters on connected devices, such as Smart TVs and streaming platforms. This follows a decision by the European Union that gives due prominence to public service broadcasters. This decision has been welcomed by French broadcast groups France Télévisions, TF1, M6 and RMC BFM.
"In a sector facing rapid change in consumer behaviour and strong competition from video streaming platforms, particularly from outside Europe, this decision recognises the key role played by public and private Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) channels in ensuring balanced news coverage and views as well as cultural diversity in France," the broadcasters said in a statement. "We will act very quickly on the ruling."
The rules will apply to Smart TV manufacturers, streaming devices and platform operators. These rules will apply to all user interfaces meeting certain criteria, requiring them to give “appropriate visibility of services of general interest (SGI)”. A meeting will be convened shortly to decide exactly which services will be designated SGI status, most likely the primary services of the PSBs and their streaming services.
“Through this framework, Arcom intends to guarantee viewers easy access to services and programmes recognised as SIG, particularly on connected televisions, and thus continue to defend the pluralism of opinions and cultural diversity in order to preserve the full scope of the democratic and societal values recognised by the directive,” Arcom said in a statement.
Arcom will then notify the broadcasters and interface operators. Arcom says it intends to support all interface operators in implementing appropriate visibility measures and will ensure the compliance of the systems put in place.