Translation of "Radiodiffusion directe " (French → English) :

– (DE) Mr President, in our renewed deliberations on the new version of the Directive concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities, henceforth to be known as the ‘Audiovisual Media Services Directive’, we have constantly conducted a cultural policy debate as well, concerning cultural diversity and maintaining quality in TV broadcasting.

The temporary value added tax arrangements of Directive 77/388/EEC applicable for radio and television broadcasting services and certain electronically supplied services were extended until 31 December 2006 by Council Directive 2006/58/EC of 27 June 2006 amending Council Directive 2002/38/EC as regards the period of application of the value added tax arrangements applicable to radio and television broadcasting services and certain electronically supplied services

As regards types of broadcasting services cited in the e-commerce VAT Directive (2002/38/EC), it must be acknowledged that this type of services evolve very quickly in the digital age, therefore their developments should be carefully monitored in order to create level playing field from the VAT point of view between different types of broadcasting services (linear and non linear services).

Moreover, as Directive 2003/33/EC, which prohibits advertising and sponsorship for cigarettes and other tobacco products in printed media, information society services and radio broadcasting, is without prejudice to Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities, in view of the special characteristics of audiovisual media services, the relation between Directive 2003/33/EC and Directive 89/552/EEC should remain the same after the entry into force of the present Direc ...[+++]tive.

The number of households equipped to receive direct satellite broadcasting (and which are, therefore, able to have access to radio and other distant broadcasting services) increased to a share of 18% of all households, while TV cable connections reached about 29% of all households.

[56] Council Directive 93/83/EEC of 27 September 1993 on the coordination of certain rules concerning copyright and rights related to copyright applicable to satellite broadcasting and cable retransmission, OJ L 248, 6.10.1993; Report from the Commission Report from the European Commission on the application of Council Directive 93/83/EEC on the coordination of certain rules concerning copyright and rights related to copyright applicable to satellite broadcasting and cable retransmission (COM (2002) 430 final, 27.7.2002; Directive 98/84/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 1998 on the legal protection of serv ...[+++]ices based on, or consisting of, conditional access, OJ L 320, 28.11.1998, p.54; and Communication from the Commission on the application of the general principles of free movement of goods and services - Articles 28 and 49 EC - Concerning the use of satellite dishes (COM (2001) 351 final, 27.5.2001).