Ready, Set… Go? European media services on the starting block

December 2009 marks a key deadline for the regulation of the media in Europe. The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), adopted as the principle legislative text governing linear and non-linear services in Europe in December 2007 must be transposed into national media legislation by the end of the year.

Mid 2009 is therefore an ideal date for stock taking concerning the status quo. How far along are the various EU member states with this process? What work remains to be done? Who will be ‘first past the post’ or can we expect a cracking photo finish? A timely analysis of these questions is provided by the Strasbourg-based European Audiovisual Observatory, part of the Council of Europe, in its latest IRIS Special report.