Media: 641 organisations (UEFA, beIN, Canal+, EBU...) against the ban on geoblocking in Europe

More than 600 organisations have signed a joint letter to protest against the European Parliament's draft law aimed at removing geographical blocking for audiovisual content, including sports broadcasts, in the European Union, on 06/12/2023.

This letter was initiated by the Association of Commercial Television and Video-on-Demand Services in Europe (ACT). A vote on the draft law is scheduled on Wednesday 13/12/2023.

"MEPs will vote on a report highlighting the need to reassess EU rules on geoblocking. They are expected to call for the Commission to remove existing barriers and revise the current framework by 2025 to include audiovisual services. The draft law recommends a progressive approach aimed at widening access to and availability of audiovisual content across borders, as well as a realistic timeframe to allow the industry to adapt, while ensuring that cultural diversity and quality of content are preserve," explained the European Parliament.

Among the signatories opposed to the draft law are UEFA, the pay-TV group beIN Media Group, the pay and free-TV group Canal+, the Spanish…