Legislators in the United States are facing legal challenges as they attempt to regulate TikTok, but overseas, the European Commission is continuing to keep watch on the biggest social media platforms. The executive organ of the European Union has asked TikTok and YouTube to share the systems they have put in place to protect minors.
On November 8, E.U. industry chief Thierry Breton told Reuters that he would send requests for information to both TikTok and YouTube. Those two recipients are expected to comply with the Digital Services Act, a landmark law that requires tech companies to remove harmful content on their platforms.
Among other stipulations, the Digital Services Act contains several rules related to the safety of minors and the ads those users are exposed to. Companies that fail to provide appropriate safeguards could face fines as high as 6% of their global turnover, according to Reuters.
Both TikTok and...
On November 8, E.U. industry chief Thierry Breton told Reuters that he would send requests for information to both TikTok and YouTube. Those two recipients are expected to comply with the Digital Services Act, a landmark law that requires tech companies to remove harmful content on their platforms.
Among other stipulations, the Digital Services Act contains several rules related to the safety of minors and the ads those users are exposed to. Companies that fail to provide appropriate safeguards could face fines as high as 6% of their global turnover, according to Reuters.
Both TikTok and...
- 11/10/2023
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
San Sebastian — MediaInvest, a new EU equity tool managed by the European Investment Fund, which targets the audiovisual industry with €400 million ($424 million) over 2022-27, has made its first deal: An equity agreement with France’s Logical Content Ventures, part of Logical Pictures. InvestEU Ccs Guarantee has closed three debt financing agreements, with Spain’s Cersa and Crea and Luxembourg-based The Archers.
Announced Sunday at the San Sebastian Film Festival following on a Spain-hosted EU Conference, the agreements are worth a total of €68.25 million ($72.35 million). They are expected to leverage around €500 million ($530 million) of new financing for audiovisual and creative companies and projects, the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, confirmed Monday.
MediaInvest “provides a response to one of the pressing challenges in Europe for audiovisual companies: the lack of access to finance. This will strengthen the financial capacities of European companies, enable them to get better value for the...
Announced Sunday at the San Sebastian Film Festival following on a Spain-hosted EU Conference, the agreements are worth a total of €68.25 million ($72.35 million). They are expected to leverage around €500 million ($530 million) of new financing for audiovisual and creative companies and projects, the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, confirmed Monday.
MediaInvest “provides a response to one of the pressing challenges in Europe for audiovisual companies: the lack of access to finance. This will strengthen the financial capacities of European companies, enable them to get better value for the...
- 9/25/2023
- by John Hopewell and Callum McLennan
- Variety Film + TV
The European Commission and European Investment Fund (Eif) have announced the first investment of its fledgeling MediaInvest equity investment instrument aimed at the audiovisual sector.
The Eif said it had approved an equity investment of up to €25 million into Paris-based fund Logical Content Ventures, in the first transaction of the MediaInvest Instrument.
It said the agreement aims to raise up to €70 million in equity investment in European audiovisual production and distribution companies.
Logical Content Ventures, was launched by the Logical Pictures Group in 2022, initially targeting €100M in fundraising.
Its investments to date have included the Alexandre Aja-produced Night of the Hunted, which is scheduled for release in 2023, and the thriller Berlin Nobody, produced by Ridley Scott. Earlier this year, it also announced a slate financing deal with French studio Pathé.
The MediaInvest deal was officialized at a signing ceremony on the fringes of the San Sebastian Film Festival on Sunday.
The Eif said it had approved an equity investment of up to €25 million into Paris-based fund Logical Content Ventures, in the first transaction of the MediaInvest Instrument.
It said the agreement aims to raise up to €70 million in equity investment in European audiovisual production and distribution companies.
Logical Content Ventures, was launched by the Logical Pictures Group in 2022, initially targeting €100M in fundraising.
Its investments to date have included the Alexandre Aja-produced Night of the Hunted, which is scheduled for release in 2023, and the thriller Berlin Nobody, produced by Ridley Scott. Earlier this year, it also announced a slate financing deal with French studio Pathé.
The MediaInvest deal was officialized at a signing ceremony on the fringes of the San Sebastian Film Festival on Sunday.
- 9/25/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
London, Sep 6 (Ians) The European Commission on Wednesday designated, for the first time, six gatekeepers — Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft — under the Digital Markets Act (Dma) with provisions for hefty penalties for non-compliance.
In total, 22 core platform services provided by gatekeepers have been designated in the EU.
The six gatekeepers will now have six months to ensure full compliance with the Dma obligations for each of their designated core platform services, the commission said in a statement.
In case a gatekeeper does not comply with the obligations laid down by the Dma, the Commission can impose fines up to 10 per cent of the company’s total worldwide turnover, which can go up to 20 per cent in case of repeated infringement.
“With today’s designation we are finally reining in the economic power of 6 gatekeepers, giving more choice to consumers and creating new opportunities for smaller innovative tech companies,...
In total, 22 core platform services provided by gatekeepers have been designated in the EU.
The six gatekeepers will now have six months to ensure full compliance with the Dma obligations for each of their designated core platform services, the commission said in a statement.
In case a gatekeeper does not comply with the obligations laid down by the Dma, the Commission can impose fines up to 10 per cent of the company’s total worldwide turnover, which can go up to 20 per cent in case of repeated infringement.
“With today’s designation we are finally reining in the economic power of 6 gatekeepers, giving more choice to consumers and creating new opportunities for smaller innovative tech companies,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Fipca, Ibero America’s huge producers’ federation, is looking to power up the region’s knowledge economy and co-production as two longterm answers to huge volatility in its member states film-tv sectors.
That drive cuts several ways, Fipca president Ignacio Rey told Variety in the run-up to Sanfic Industria, one of South America’s biggest industry events.
High-end Netflix, Amazon and other streamer originals, imply new ways of producing: “We’re lacking sufficient labor force capacity for a certain scale of productions,” Rey argued.
Challenges abound. In 2022, only movies from Spain, Dominican Republic and Argentina punched home theatrical market shares of over 5%, running up 22.4%, 14.0% and 8.1% shares respectively, according to the Cannes Marché du Film’s Focus 2023 report.
Platform hits is another matter. Over July 2022-June 2023, five of Prime Video’s Top 10 most seen non-English language films or series hailed from Spain or Latin America, led by Spain’s “My Fault” and Chile’s “Sayen.
That drive cuts several ways, Fipca president Ignacio Rey told Variety in the run-up to Sanfic Industria, one of South America’s biggest industry events.
High-end Netflix, Amazon and other streamer originals, imply new ways of producing: “We’re lacking sufficient labor force capacity for a certain scale of productions,” Rey argued.
Challenges abound. In 2022, only movies from Spain, Dominican Republic and Argentina punched home theatrical market shares of over 5%, running up 22.4%, 14.0% and 8.1% shares respectively, according to the Cannes Marché du Film’s Focus 2023 report.
Platform hits is another matter. Over July 2022-June 2023, five of Prime Video’s Top 10 most seen non-English language films or series hailed from Spain or Latin America, led by Spain’s “My Fault” and Chile’s “Sayen.
- 8/23/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Elon Musk’s Twitter platform could potentially be banned in Europe if it doesn’t follow the disinformation rules. The threat comes from France’s Digital Minister Jean-Noël Barrot who recently talked about the importance of following guidelines to combat fake news on social media.
“Disinformation is one of the gravest threats weighing on our democracies,” Barrot said during an interview on France Info. “Twitter, if it repeatedly doesn’t follow our rules, will be banned from the EU.”
Barrot’s comments come as Twitter withdrew from a voluntary rulebook that included guidelines for big tech companies that also include Meta, Alphabet and Microsoft. Participating in the latter code was not mandatory but was created to facilitate the obligations that the tech companies would have to follow with the mandatory Digital Services Act that go into effect in August in the European Union.
Twitter leaves EU voluntary Code of Practice against disinformation.
“Disinformation is one of the gravest threats weighing on our democracies,” Barrot said during an interview on France Info. “Twitter, if it repeatedly doesn’t follow our rules, will be banned from the EU.”
Barrot’s comments come as Twitter withdrew from a voluntary rulebook that included guidelines for big tech companies that also include Meta, Alphabet and Microsoft. Participating in the latter code was not mandatory but was created to facilitate the obligations that the tech companies would have to follow with the mandatory Digital Services Act that go into effect in August in the European Union.
Twitter leaves EU voluntary Code of Practice against disinformation.
- 5/30/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
London, May 27 (Ians) Elon Musk-run Twitter has withdrawn from the European Union’s Code of Practice on online disinformation — a move which has not gone well with the regulators.
EU’s internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, on Saturday said Twitter cannot hide from incoming legal liability in the region.
“Twitter leaves the EU voluntary Code of Practice against disinformation. But obligations remain. You can run but you can’t hide,” Breton posted in a tweet.
The platform is legally required to comply with as a very large online platform (Vlop) under the EU’s Digital Services Act (Dsa).
“Beyond voluntary commitments, fighting disinformation will be a legal obligation under #Dsa as of August 25. Our teams will be ready for enforcement,” Breton warned Twitter.
The law, which entered into force back in November, requires VLOPs like Twitter to assess and mitigate systemic risks to civic discourse and electoral processes, such as disinformation,...
EU’s internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, on Saturday said Twitter cannot hide from incoming legal liability in the region.
“Twitter leaves the EU voluntary Code of Practice against disinformation. But obligations remain. You can run but you can’t hide,” Breton posted in a tweet.
The platform is legally required to comply with as a very large online platform (Vlop) under the EU’s Digital Services Act (Dsa).
“Beyond voluntary commitments, fighting disinformation will be a legal obligation under #Dsa as of August 25. Our teams will be ready for enforcement,” Breton warned Twitter.
The law, which entered into force back in November, requires VLOPs like Twitter to assess and mitigate systemic risks to civic discourse and electoral processes, such as disinformation,...
- 5/27/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
EU Commissioner announces consultation at Cannes Film Festival.
The EU Commission is to launch a consultation with the European audiovisual industry with a view to strengthening the ability of producers to retain IP rights and reviewing the ability of UK productions to qualify as European works.
Announcing the consultation at Cannes, EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton noted that viewing in Europe is dominated by non-European streaming platforms.
He referred to European Commission research published today, titled The European Media Industry Outlook.
The research says that the video-on-demand market is “dominated by a few non-eu companies, with the top three...
The EU Commission is to launch a consultation with the European audiovisual industry with a view to strengthening the ability of producers to retain IP rights and reviewing the ability of UK productions to qualify as European works.
Announcing the consultation at Cannes, EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton noted that viewing in Europe is dominated by non-European streaming platforms.
He referred to European Commission research published today, titled The European Media Industry Outlook.
The research says that the video-on-demand market is “dominated by a few non-eu companies, with the top three...
- 5/18/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Paris, May 7 (Ians) A group of European space and telecommunications players have come together to form a partnership to bid on the European Commission’s IRIS2 multi-orbit secure satellite constellation, according to a report.
IRIS2 is the European Union’s new flagship space programme for a digital, resilient and safer Europe.
Led by Airbus Defence and Space, Eutelsat, Hispasat, Ses and Thales Alenia Space, the consortium will also rely on the core team of the following companies: Deutsche Telekom, Ohb, Orange, Hisdesat, Telespazio, and Thales, said a media statement.
IRIS2 will deliver resilient and secure connectivity solutions to governments to protect European citizens and will provide commercial services in the interest of European economies and societies, similar to what SpaceX’s Starlink offers.
It will also bolster the EU partnership policy by offering its infrastructure abroad.
Last November, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton announced the continent’s plans for IRIS2.
The...
IRIS2 is the European Union’s new flagship space programme for a digital, resilient and safer Europe.
Led by Airbus Defence and Space, Eutelsat, Hispasat, Ses and Thales Alenia Space, the consortium will also rely on the core team of the following companies: Deutsche Telekom, Ohb, Orange, Hisdesat, Telespazio, and Thales, said a media statement.
IRIS2 will deliver resilient and secure connectivity solutions to governments to protect European citizens and will provide commercial services in the interest of European economies and societies, similar to what SpaceX’s Starlink offers.
It will also bolster the EU partnership policy by offering its infrastructure abroad.
Last November, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton announced the continent’s plans for IRIS2.
The...
- 5/7/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
EC will ratify first accord from €400m post-pandemic recovery fund before the end of 2022.
The European Commission will ratify the first funding accords for its €400m Media Invest equity instrument aimed at financing the post-pandemic recovery of Europe’s audio-visual industry before the end of 2022, said EU commissioner Thierry Breton at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday.
“The first agreements resulting from Media Invest will be signed in the second half of this year,” said EU commissioner Thierry Breton.
No decision has yet been taken by the Commission, the EU’s executive arm, on the form of the equity funds...
The European Commission will ratify the first funding accords for its €400m Media Invest equity instrument aimed at financing the post-pandemic recovery of Europe’s audio-visual industry before the end of 2022, said EU commissioner Thierry Breton at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday.
“The first agreements resulting from Media Invest will be signed in the second half of this year,” said EU commissioner Thierry Breton.
No decision has yet been taken by the Commission, the EU’s executive arm, on the form of the equity funds...
- 5/22/2022
- by Alina Trabattoni
- ScreenDaily
Brussels, May 27 (Ians) The European Commission has unveiled plans to boost its Code of Practice on Disinformation with the aim of preventing digital ad companies from profiting from "fake news".
The Commission's guidance unveiled on Wednesday urges online advertising platforms and actors to block accounts that share disinformation and ban those that regularly post debunked content, reports Xinhua news agency.
The Commission also wants social media sites to improve the transparency of political ads, including by properly labeling paid-for content and allowing users to see who is providing those ads.
Based on a robust monitoring framework and clear performance indicators, signatories to this code should reduce financial incentives to disinformation, empower users to take an active role in preventing its spread, better cooperate with fact-checkers across the EU member states and languages, and provide a framework for access to data for researchers.
The guidance says that platforms and actors in...
The Commission's guidance unveiled on Wednesday urges online advertising platforms and actors to block accounts that share disinformation and ban those that regularly post debunked content, reports Xinhua news agency.
The Commission also wants social media sites to improve the transparency of political ads, including by properly labeling paid-for content and allowing users to see who is providing those ads.
Based on a robust monitoring framework and clear performance indicators, signatories to this code should reduce financial incentives to disinformation, empower users to take an active role in preventing its spread, better cooperate with fact-checkers across the EU member states and languages, and provide a framework for access to data for researchers.
The guidance says that platforms and actors in...
- 5/27/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
London, May 26 (Ians) The European Commission on Wednesday published new guidelines to hold Facebook, Google, Twitter and other social media platforms accountable for disinformation shared on their respective platforms.
The Code of Practice on Disinformation is the first of its kind worldwide and should be strengthened to become a more effective tool for countering disinformation, the commission said in a statement.
The commission said that based on a robust monitoring framework and clear performance indicators, signatories should reduce financial incentives to disinformation, empower users to take an active role in preventing its spread, better cooperate with fact-checkers across EU Member States and languages, and provide a framework for access to data for researchers.
"Threats posed by disinformation online are fast evolving and we need to step up our collective action to empower citizens and protect the democratic information space," said Vera Jourova, Vice President for Values and Transparency.
"A new...
The Code of Practice on Disinformation is the first of its kind worldwide and should be strengthened to become a more effective tool for countering disinformation, the commission said in a statement.
The commission said that based on a robust monitoring framework and clear performance indicators, signatories should reduce financial incentives to disinformation, empower users to take an active role in preventing its spread, better cooperate with fact-checkers across EU Member States and languages, and provide a framework for access to data for researchers.
"Threats posed by disinformation online are fast evolving and we need to step up our collective action to empower citizens and protect the democratic information space," said Vera Jourova, Vice President for Values and Transparency.
"A new...
- 5/26/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
John Malone’s Liberty Global has become a founding member of the European Green Digital Coalition, a collective set up to support the use of digital technologies to promote environmental sustainability.
The multinational telco — owners of “Fleabag” and “1917” producer All3Media and joint owners with Telefonica of the merged Virgin Media and O2 — is among a group of founding members, announced Friday by EU commissioner Thierry Breton and the EU presidency at a Digital Day event in Lisbon, Portugal. The coalition will aim to help in reaching Un Sustainable Development Goals.
By signing the European Green Digital Declaration, companies commit to establishing science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas (Ghg) emissions by 2030 and becoming climate neutral no later than 2040.
Companies signing the declaration also commit to investing in the development and deployment of “green digital solutions with significant energy and material efficiency that achieve a net positive impact,” as well as engaging...
The multinational telco — owners of “Fleabag” and “1917” producer All3Media and joint owners with Telefonica of the merged Virgin Media and O2 — is among a group of founding members, announced Friday by EU commissioner Thierry Breton and the EU presidency at a Digital Day event in Lisbon, Portugal. The coalition will aim to help in reaching Un Sustainable Development Goals.
By signing the European Green Digital Declaration, companies commit to establishing science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas (Ghg) emissions by 2030 and becoming climate neutral no later than 2040.
Companies signing the declaration also commit to investing in the development and deployment of “green digital solutions with significant energy and material efficiency that achieve a net positive impact,” as well as engaging...
- 3/19/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Speaking at a panel event on Friday held as part of the Venice Production Bridge, the Venice Film Festival’s industry section, a trio of industry heavyweights argued that in order to keep the continental film and TV business competitive in a period marked by change and unrest, the European Commission would have to free up capital for the sector, and develop a shared subscription VOD platform.
The panel, entitled “Fostering Recovery and Building Resilience: Audiovisual as a Key Industry for Europe’s Growth,” and organized by the European Film Forum, opened with remarks from Biennale president Roberto Cicutto, the European commissioner for internal markets, Thierry Breton, and Italian secretary of state for culture, Anna Laura Orrico.
Cicutto began by stressing the need for cooperation, and was followed by Breton, who spoke in broad terms about the European Commission’s plans to rebuild consumer confidence while developing new audiences; Orrico...
The panel, entitled “Fostering Recovery and Building Resilience: Audiovisual as a Key Industry for Europe’s Growth,” and organized by the European Film Forum, opened with remarks from Biennale president Roberto Cicutto, the European commissioner for internal markets, Thierry Breton, and Italian secretary of state for culture, Anna Laura Orrico.
Cicutto began by stressing the need for cooperation, and was followed by Breton, who spoke in broad terms about the European Commission’s plans to rebuild consumer confidence while developing new audiences; Orrico...
- 9/5/2020
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Securing €7.5bn for Europe’s Covid-hit culture and creative industries would be a good result, says German Mep Sabine Verheyen.
The European Parliament is lobbying for at least 1% of the EU’s €750bn ($887bn) post-pandemic recovery fund to be earmarked for the region’s cultural and creative industries (CCIs), German Mep Sabine Verheyen told the Europe Film Forum in Venice on Friday (September 4).
Verheyen, who is chair of the European Parliament’s committee on culture and education, warned that the region’s CCIs risked being left out of the recovery plans of individual member states if a quota is not set.
The European Parliament is lobbying for at least 1% of the EU’s €750bn ($887bn) post-pandemic recovery fund to be earmarked for the region’s cultural and creative industries (CCIs), German Mep Sabine Verheyen told the Europe Film Forum in Venice on Friday (September 4).
Verheyen, who is chair of the European Parliament’s committee on culture and education, warned that the region’s CCIs risked being left out of the recovery plans of individual member states if a quota is not set.
- 9/5/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Element Pictures’ Ed Guiney, who was also on the panel, called for more “big, bold” European cinema.
Speaking during the Digital European Film Forum on the opening day of the Cannes virtual market, German Mep Sabine Verheyen made an impassioned plea for further European investment in the film and cultural sectors to stave off the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Verheyen, who is chair of the European Parliament’s committee on culture and education, addressed “the enormous impact” of the crisis.
“We have seen cinemas, small venues, big concert halls, theatres and museums close their doors,” Verheyen said. “These...
Speaking during the Digital European Film Forum on the opening day of the Cannes virtual market, German Mep Sabine Verheyen made an impassioned plea for further European investment in the film and cultural sectors to stave off the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Verheyen, who is chair of the European Parliament’s committee on culture and education, addressed “the enormous impact” of the crisis.
“We have seen cinemas, small venues, big concert halls, theatres and museums close their doors,” Verheyen said. “These...
- 6/24/2020
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Element Pictures’ Ed Guiney, who was also on the panel, called for more “big, bold” European cinema.
Speaking during the Digital European Film Forum on the opening day of the Cannes virtual market, German Mep Sabine Verheyen made an impassioned plea for further European investment in the film and cultural sectors to stave off the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Verheyen, who is chair of the European Parliament’s committee on culture and education, addressed “the enormous impact” of the crisis.
“We have seen cinemas, small venues, big concert halls, theatres and museums close their doors,” Verheyen said. “These...
Speaking during the Digital European Film Forum on the opening day of the Cannes virtual market, German Mep Sabine Verheyen made an impassioned plea for further European investment in the film and cultural sectors to stave off the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Verheyen, who is chair of the European Parliament’s committee on culture and education, addressed “the enormous impact” of the crisis.
“We have seen cinemas, small venues, big concert halls, theatres and museums close their doors,” Verheyen said. “These...
- 6/23/2020
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
As the Cannes online market moves forward, it’s no doubt that streamers are still the big story in the indie world — and as European producers try to restart shoots as lockdowns are lifted, their feelings towards Netflix and other streaming giants are decidedly mixed.
There is no doubt that Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and other global platforms are considered “the big winners” amid the coronavirus crisis, as Carole Scotta, founder and head of France’s prominent producer-distributor Haut et Court (“The New Pope”) recently put it during a Variety-moderated panel. In meeting the additional demand created by people all over the world forced to stay at home to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, subscriptions to the streamers’ services have, of course, skyrocketed. Netflix, which leads the way, now has 182 million subs in over 190 countries, driven by programming in increasing numbers of languages.
Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Apple,...
There is no doubt that Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and other global platforms are considered “the big winners” amid the coronavirus crisis, as Carole Scotta, founder and head of France’s prominent producer-distributor Haut et Court (“The New Pope”) recently put it during a Variety-moderated panel. In meeting the additional demand created by people all over the world forced to stay at home to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, subscriptions to the streamers’ services have, of course, skyrocketed. Netflix, which leads the way, now has 182 million subs in over 190 countries, driven by programming in increasing numbers of languages.
Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Apple,...
- 6/23/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Norwegian producer Gudny Hummelvoll, whose Hummelfilm shingle worked in tandem with Sweden’s Yellow Bird on hit climate-crisis thriller “Occupied,” has been elected President of the European Producers Club.
Hummelvoll is the first woman to head the organization of 130 prominent independent film and TV drama producers across Europe, including the U.K., who since 1993 have been jointly thrashing out pressing audiovisual industry issues and lobbying European Union legislators.
She replaces Spanish producer Alvaro Longoria, head of Spain’s prominent and prolific Morena Films, in the organization’s top role. Longoria is now one of Epc’s three vice presidents, alongside Dariusz Jablonski, head of Poland’s Apple Films, and Paula Vaccaro of Pinball London.
In her first interview as Epc leader Hummelvoll underlined the importance of working towards greater diversity as a group.
“The producer is at the heart of the industry,” she said. “She/he chooses subjects, and develops...
Hummelvoll is the first woman to head the organization of 130 prominent independent film and TV drama producers across Europe, including the U.K., who since 1993 have been jointly thrashing out pressing audiovisual industry issues and lobbying European Union legislators.
She replaces Spanish producer Alvaro Longoria, head of Spain’s prominent and prolific Morena Films, in the organization’s top role. Longoria is now one of Epc’s three vice presidents, alongside Dariusz Jablonski, head of Poland’s Apple Films, and Paula Vaccaro of Pinball London.
In her first interview as Epc leader Hummelvoll underlined the importance of working towards greater diversity as a group.
“The producer is at the heart of the industry,” she said. “She/he chooses subjects, and develops...
- 6/17/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The letter calls on the European Commissioner for Internal Market to regulate the tech giants; the signatories include Pedro Almodovar, Luc Dardenne, Costa Gavras and Cristian Mungiu. (Cineuropa publishes the complete letter sent to Commissioner Thierry Breton.) “Dear Commissioner Breton, We are European filmmakers and, like you, it is clear to us that after this global health crisis, Europe has a date with history. What will remain of Europe’s culture if it fails to catch up with non-European digital giants? We refuse to take the risk of being reduced to a colony, and maintain that Europe will not survive without its culture, as it is defined less by its geography than by the community of cultures which unites its peoples. America understood these cultural and economic stakes when it imposed its films on other countries with the Marshall Plan. But today, the Gafan companies have grown a thousand times more.
The survival of Europe’s film and TV producers amid what is perceived as a growing imbalance between them and U.S. streaming giants was the overarching topic in a Rome Mia market panel on the main challenges faced by European indies as lockdown restrictions begins to lift across the European Union (E.U.).
Platforms such as Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon are considered “the big winners” amid the coronavirus crisis, as Carole Scotta, founder and head of France’s prominent producer-distributor Haut et Court, put it during the Variety-moderated session.
Aside from immediate concerns such as safety protocols and insurance coverage necessary to start shooting again, Europe’s indies are trying to think ahead about a structural plan that will keep them afloat.
Spanish producer-director Alvaro Longoria, president of the European Producers Club, revealed that the European Commissioner for the internal market, Thierry Breton, has created an informal task...
Platforms such as Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon are considered “the big winners” amid the coronavirus crisis, as Carole Scotta, founder and head of France’s prominent producer-distributor Haut et Court, put it during the Variety-moderated session.
Aside from immediate concerns such as safety protocols and insurance coverage necessary to start shooting again, Europe’s indies are trying to think ahead about a structural plan that will keep them afloat.
Spanish producer-director Alvaro Longoria, president of the European Producers Club, revealed that the European Commissioner for the internal market, Thierry Breton, has created an informal task...
- 5/15/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Disney+ is slashing its bandwidth utilization by 25% in European markets where the service will debut on March 24, the steaming service announced Saturday.
Walt Disney Co. chairman of direct-to-consumer & international Kevin Mayer released a statement explaining that the move is a response to a European Union government request that streamers switch from high definition to standard definition. Hopefully, the move will prevent the continent’s internet infrastructure from crashing, as millions of people stay home amid the coronavirus spread.
“In line with Disney’s longstanding commitment to act responsibly, we are responding to the request of European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton to work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the broadband infrastructure,” Mayer said.
“In the coming days, we will be monitoring Internet congestion and working closely with Internet service providers to further reduce bitrates as necessary to ensure they are not overwhelmed by consumer demand,” he added.
Walt Disney Co. chairman of direct-to-consumer & international Kevin Mayer released a statement explaining that the move is a response to a European Union government request that streamers switch from high definition to standard definition. Hopefully, the move will prevent the continent’s internet infrastructure from crashing, as millions of people stay home amid the coronavirus spread.
“In line with Disney’s longstanding commitment to act responsibly, we are responding to the request of European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton to work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the broadband infrastructure,” Mayer said.
“In the coming days, we will be monitoring Internet congestion and working closely with Internet service providers to further reduce bitrates as necessary to ensure they are not overwhelmed by consumer demand,” he added.
- 3/21/2020
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
Service was due to launch on March 24, will now debut on April 7.
Disney has postponed the launch of Disney+ in France this week at the request of the French government to prevent extra strain on the country’s internet system amid the current lockdown of the population due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The service was due to launch on March 24 in France but will now launch on April 7. Disney confirmed on Saturday the service will debut as planned on March 24 in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
“A bit more patience from our French fans, our streaming service Disney+ will arrive soon…...
Disney has postponed the launch of Disney+ in France this week at the request of the French government to prevent extra strain on the country’s internet system amid the current lockdown of the population due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The service was due to launch on March 24 in France but will now launch on April 7. Disney confirmed on Saturday the service will debut as planned on March 24 in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
“A bit more patience from our French fans, our streaming service Disney+ will arrive soon…...
- 3/21/2020
- by 1100380¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Disney has joined other streamers in cooperating with the European Union to temporarily curtail bandwidth usage of Disney Plus — and reduce video quality — for its scheduled launch next week in several countries during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
In addition, the Mouse House said it is pushing back the launch of Disney Plus in France for two weeks, with it now slated to go live in the country April 7, at the behest of the French government. Disney Plus is still set to debut next Tuesday (March 24) in the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
But out of the gate, Disney Plus’ European subscribers will get temporarily degraded video quality, as the EU has requested that streaming-video providers limit their video bit-rates during the coronavirus emergency so as not to overload internet networks.
Disney’s announcement follows moves by Netflix, YouTube, Amazon and Apple to similarly scale back their bandwidth consumption in Europe.
In addition, the Mouse House said it is pushing back the launch of Disney Plus in France for two weeks, with it now slated to go live in the country April 7, at the behest of the French government. Disney Plus is still set to debut next Tuesday (March 24) in the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
But out of the gate, Disney Plus’ European subscribers will get temporarily degraded video quality, as the EU has requested that streaming-video providers limit their video bit-rates during the coronavirus emergency so as not to overload internet networks.
Disney’s announcement follows moves by Netflix, YouTube, Amazon and Apple to similarly scale back their bandwidth consumption in Europe.
- 3/21/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Disney+ is cutting back on its bandwidth utilization by 25 percent in the markets where its debuting on March 24. The company also announced that it is delaying its launch in France until April 7.
Kevin Mayer, Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer & International at the Walt Disney Co. said in a statement that it was responding to a European Union government request.
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The Disney decision follows a similar effort announced by Netflix. That company said Thursday it will limit the streaming quality of its content for the next 30 days for users in Europe to relax the strain on communications networks caused by the coronavirus lockdown.
“In line with Disney’s longstanding commitment to act responsibly, we are responding to the request of European Commissioner for...
Kevin Mayer, Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer & International at the Walt Disney Co. said in a statement that it was responding to a European Union government request.
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The Disney decision follows a similar effort announced by Netflix. That company said Thursday it will limit the streaming quality of its content for the next 30 days for users in Europe to relax the strain on communications networks caused by the coronavirus lockdown.
“In line with Disney’s longstanding commitment to act responsibly, we are responding to the request of European Commissioner for...
- 3/21/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney has announced that it will put in place a measure to lower the overall bandwidth utilization of its Disney+ service when it launches in Europe later this month, as the continent deals with heavily burdened networks amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"In line with Disney’s longstanding commitment to act responsibly, we are responding to the request of European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton to work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the broadband infrastructure," said Kevin Mayer, Disney's chairman direct-to-consumer and international.
"In anticipation of high consumer demand for Disney+, we are proactively ...
"In line with Disney’s longstanding commitment to act responsibly, we are responding to the request of European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton to work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the broadband infrastructure," said Kevin Mayer, Disney's chairman direct-to-consumer and international.
"In anticipation of high consumer demand for Disney+, we are proactively ...
- 3/21/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
With so many people hunkering down due to the coronavirus, internet usage is up – and I mean wayyyy up. Across the pond, The European Union’s Internal Market and Services Commissioner, Thierry Breton, has asked Netflix and YouTube to limit streaming quality in an attempt to avoid online gridlock. And Netflix is playing ball. The streaming service […]
The post Netflix Limiting Streaming Quality For European Users to Save Bandwidth for Emergency Services appeared first on /Film.
The post Netflix Limiting Streaming Quality For European Users to Save Bandwidth for Emergency Services appeared first on /Film.
- 3/20/2020
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Standard definition has become the streaming default for YouTube users in Europe, a day after Netflix announced that it too would be trimming bitrates. The moves are a response to EU Commissioner Thierry Breton’s request Thursday that streaming platforms be mindful of the additional bandwidth demands as Europe faces lockdowns due to Coronavirus, and people work from home in increasing numbers.
Users will still be able to switch to HD streams manually on YouTube, but they will default to Sd. A spokesperson said: “While we have seen only a few usage peaks, we have measures in place to automatically adjust our system to use less network capacity. We are in ongoing conversations with the regulators (including Ofcom), governments and network operators all over Europe, and are making a commitment to temporarily default all traffic in the UK and the EU to Standard Definition.”
YouTube did not put a timeframe on how long the change would last. Netflix said its measures would be in place for 30 days. Breton welcomed the move from YouTube, which comes after a meeting with Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki. “I appreciate the strong responsibility that Mr Pichai and Mrs Wojcicki have demonstrated,” he said. “We will closely follow the evolution of the situation together.”
Data analysts at GlobalData welcomed the moves, but have suggested it now falls on videogame companies to follow suit. “Although video streaming represents the lion’s share of residential internet traffic in Europe, interactive online gaming is a substantially greater threat in network overload terms,” said GlobalData Tech Service Director Emma Mohr-McClune.
Service providers in the region have yet to seriously buckle under the pressure, but Mohr-McClune warns that demand will only grow. “All European telcos are now putting capacity boost and traffic management processes into place, as a response to the ongoing crisis, but there efforts will be hampered without an honest dialogue between OTTs, state bodies and the network services industry.”
It now remains to be seen whether similar steps will be taken in the Us, where authorities have so far resisted nationwide shutdowns. California yesterday issued stay-at-home orders for its residents.
Users will still be able to switch to HD streams manually on YouTube, but they will default to Sd. A spokesperson said: “While we have seen only a few usage peaks, we have measures in place to automatically adjust our system to use less network capacity. We are in ongoing conversations with the regulators (including Ofcom), governments and network operators all over Europe, and are making a commitment to temporarily default all traffic in the UK and the EU to Standard Definition.”
YouTube did not put a timeframe on how long the change would last. Netflix said its measures would be in place for 30 days. Breton welcomed the move from YouTube, which comes after a meeting with Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki. “I appreciate the strong responsibility that Mr Pichai and Mrs Wojcicki have demonstrated,” he said. “We will closely follow the evolution of the situation together.”
Data analysts at GlobalData welcomed the moves, but have suggested it now falls on videogame companies to follow suit. “Although video streaming represents the lion’s share of residential internet traffic in Europe, interactive online gaming is a substantially greater threat in network overload terms,” said GlobalData Tech Service Director Emma Mohr-McClune.
Service providers in the region have yet to seriously buckle under the pressure, but Mohr-McClune warns that demand will only grow. “All European telcos are now putting capacity boost and traffic management processes into place, as a response to the ongoing crisis, but there efforts will be hampered without an honest dialogue between OTTs, state bodies and the network services industry.”
It now remains to be seen whether similar steps will be taken in the Us, where authorities have so far resisted nationwide shutdowns. California yesterday issued stay-at-home orders for its residents.
- 3/20/2020
- by Joe Utichi
- Deadline Film + TV
European government and regulatory bodies have authorized the European Union's telecom operators and internet service providers to apply exceptional measures, including the throttling of online speeds, to prevent network congestion amid increased demand as millions of Europeans are forced to stay home and use online collaboration and teleworking tools amid the coronavirus.
The EU's governing body, the European Commission, and the Body of the European Regulators of Electronic Communications (Berec) gave the green light to telcos to take the necessary measures to ensure there is no disruption in online traffic.
The move comes after Thierry Breton, the European ...
The EU's governing body, the European Commission, and the Body of the European Regulators of Electronic Communications (Berec) gave the green light to telcos to take the necessary measures to ensure there is no disruption in online traffic.
The move comes after Thierry Breton, the European ...
- 3/20/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
One of the consequences of coronavirus has been a lot more people staying at home and streaming Netflix and other platforms. On top of the large numbers of people using web meetings and other video and audio streaming tools, Netflix bingeing is putting a significant strain on the internet’s capacity to handle so much traffic. And to prevent further crashes and network overload, they’re being asked to slow down streaming to ease the burden on providers.
Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, announced yesterday on Twitter that he’s spoken to Netflix’s CEO about measures that could be put in place by streaming giants to avoid network issues, saying:
“Important phone conversation with Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix. To beat Covid-19, we stay at home. Teleworking and streaming help a lot but infrastructures might be in strain. To secure Internet access for all,...
Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, announced yesterday on Twitter that he’s spoken to Netflix’s CEO about measures that could be put in place by streaming giants to avoid network issues, saying:
“Important phone conversation with Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix. To beat Covid-19, we stay at home. Teleworking and streaming help a lot but infrastructures might be in strain. To secure Internet access for all,...
- 3/19/2020
- by Jessica James
- We Got This Covered
Self-quarantine and social-distance measures worldwide mean more people are at home on the couches eager to stream content — which means increased strain on Netflix and internet speed overall. In response to the European Union asking Netflix to temper download speeds in an effort to reduce bandwidth strain for the EU, the streamer has agreed to reduce bit rates across all streams throughout Europe for the next 30 days.
“We estimate that this will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent while also ensuring a good quality service for our members,” Netflix said in a statement to IndieWire. The decision came after discussions with EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings in anticipation of potential stress on European online infrastructure during a time of international crisis where everyone is online. (See Breton’s Wednesday Twitter announcement calling for reduced bit rates below.)
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“We estimate that this will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent while also ensuring a good quality service for our members,” Netflix said in a statement to IndieWire. The decision came after discussions with EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings in anticipation of potential stress on European online infrastructure during a time of international crisis where everyone is online. (See Breton’s Wednesday Twitter announcement calling for reduced bit rates below.)
More from IndieWireThe Show Must Go...
- 3/19/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Netflix agreed to temporarily reduce bandwidth used by its streaming service in Europe, saying it will cut video bit rates for the next 30 days at the behest of the European Union to ease the load on internet networks in the region.
The move came after EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, in discussions with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings over the last two days, urged the company the company switch to standard-definition video to ease congestion on networks during the coronavirus pandemic. The concern is that HD streaming video would swamp broadband networks as millions of quarantined people are working remotely.
“Following the discussions between Commissioner Thierry Breton and Reed Hastings — and given the extraordinary challenges raised by the coronavirus — Netflix has decided to begin reducing bit rates across all our streams in Europe for 30 days,” a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “We estimate that this will...
The move came after EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, in discussions with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings over the last two days, urged the company the company switch to standard-definition video to ease congestion on networks during the coronavirus pandemic. The concern is that HD streaming video would swamp broadband networks as millions of quarantined people are working remotely.
“Following the discussions between Commissioner Thierry Breton and Reed Hastings — and given the extraordinary challenges raised by the coronavirus — Netflix has decided to begin reducing bit rates across all our streams in Europe for 30 days,” a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. “We estimate that this will...
- 3/19/2020
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix on Thursday said it would significantly cut back its streaming bandwidth in Europe to help avoid internet outages while millions of people stay home because of the coronavirus outbreak. The decision comes after the European Union pressed Netflix and other streamers to switch from high definition to standard definition streaming to keep the continent’s internet infrastructure from crashing.
“Following the discussions between Commissioner Thierry Breton and [Netflix CEO] Reed Hastings — and given the extraordinary challenges raised by the coronavirus — Netflix has decided to begin reducing bit rates across all our streams in Europe for 30 days,” a Netflix spokesperson told TheWrap. “We estimate that this will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent while also ensuring a good quality service for our members.”
On Wednesday, European Commissioner Thierry Breton tweeted he had talked to Hastings about the matter, saying it would help “secure internet access for all.”
Breton’s...
“Following the discussions between Commissioner Thierry Breton and [Netflix CEO] Reed Hastings — and given the extraordinary challenges raised by the coronavirus — Netflix has decided to begin reducing bit rates across all our streams in Europe for 30 days,” a Netflix spokesperson told TheWrap. “We estimate that this will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent while also ensuring a good quality service for our members.”
On Wednesday, European Commissioner Thierry Breton tweeted he had talked to Hastings about the matter, saying it would help “secure internet access for all.”
Breton’s...
- 3/19/2020
- by Sean Burch
- The Wrap
The European Union’s Internal Market and Services Commissioner, Thierry Breton, has called on streaming platforms such as Netflix and YouTube to take measures to prevent internet gridlock as the response to the Coronavirus places additional strain on communications networks.
In a call placed Wednesday, he urged Netflix CEO Reed Hastings to serve only standard definition content to users in times of peak demand. With vast numbers of people now working from home, and using video chat and digital messages to stay in touch with friends and family, and as users increase their time spent on streaming platforms, Breton said streamers’ had a role to play in ensuring telecom operators weren’t overwhelmed.
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In a call placed Wednesday, he urged Netflix CEO Reed Hastings to serve only standard definition content to users in times of peak demand. With vast numbers of people now working from home, and using video chat and digital messages to stay in touch with friends and family, and as users increase their time spent on streaming platforms, Breton said streamers’ had a role to play in ensuring telecom operators weren’t overwhelmed.
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- 3/19/2020
- by Joe Utichi
- Deadline Film + TV
Streamer’s traffic on European networks to go down by roughly 25%.
Netflix will lower its streaming quality in Europe and the UK to prevent the internet from buckling under a surge in demand from stay-at-home customers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The agreement comes after talks with Thierry Breton, the commissioner for the European Union’s internal market, who has urged streamers to switch from high definition to standard definition during peak hours of internet usage.
“We estimate that this will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25% while also ensuring a good quality service for our members,” a Netflix spokesperson said.
Netflix will lower its streaming quality in Europe and the UK to prevent the internet from buckling under a surge in demand from stay-at-home customers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The agreement comes after talks with Thierry Breton, the commissioner for the European Union’s internal market, who has urged streamers to switch from high definition to standard definition during peak hours of internet usage.
“We estimate that this will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25% while also ensuring a good quality service for our members,” a Netflix spokesperson said.
- 3/19/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
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