[cc_full_width_col background_color="FFFFFF" shadow_color="888888" radius="6"]Audiovisual media services (AVMS) are linear services which are traditional television services, the Internet and mobile telephone services, which "push" content to viewers, and; non-linear services, i.e. on-demand television, where viewers "pull" content from a network (e.g."video-on-demand").

The Audiovisual media sector directly employs over one million people across the European Union.

These days we can watch our favourite programmes from all over Europe not just on TV, but also via the Internet or on our mobile phones. Like other goods and services, audiovisual media are subject to the rules of the single European market.

To function optimally, this "single European TV market" needs a minimum set of common rules covering aspects like advertising and protection of minors.

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Audiovisual Media Services Directive

These rules are laid down in the EU's Audiovisual Media Services Directive which governs EU-wide coordination of national legislation on all audiovisual media, both traditional TV broadcasts and on-demand services.

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Audiovisual Media Services

EU digital agenda

Action 82: The Audiovisual Media Services Directive and cultural diversity news

The European audiovisual industry suffers from a trade deficit with the US industry of 6 to 7 billion Euros every year. The measures of promotion of distribution and production of European and independent audiovisual works in television and audiovisual on-demand services as set out in Articles 13, 16 and 17 of the AVMS Directive constitute an efficient instrument to promote creative content in Europe. They contribute therefore to the strengthening of the competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry and by doing so, to the promotion of cultural diversity and heritage in the EU.

• 4th Annual ACT Conference - Creation, Competitiveness and Consumers
• 4th Annual ACT Conference - Creation, Competitiveness and Consumers
• 4th Annual ACT Conference - Creation, Competitiveness and Consumers
• 4th Annual ACT Conference - Creation, Competitiveness and Consumers
• Commission requests Belgium and UK to implement Audiovisual Media Services Directive
• Commission requests Belgium and UK to implement Audiovisual Media Services Directive
• Commission requests Belgium and UK to implement Audiovisual Media Services Directive
• Commission seeks information from 16 Member States on their implementation of Audiovisual Media Services Directive
• Commission seeks information from 16 Member States on their implementation of Audiovisual Media Services Directive
• Commission seeks information from 16 Member States on their implementation of Audiovisual Media Services Directive
• Commission seeks information from 16 Member States on their implementation of Audiovisual Media Services Directive
• Commission welcomes French regulator's moves against incitement to hatred
• Commission welcomes French regulator's moves against incitement to hatred
• Commission welcomes French regulator's moves against incitement to hatred
• Commission welcomes French regulator's moves against incitement to hatred; ends legal action
• Commission welcomes implementation of EU rules on TV and video-on-demand by Austria
• Commission welcomes implementation of EU rules on TV and video-on-demand by Austria
• Commission welcomes implementation of EU rules on TV and video-on-demand by Austria
• Commission welcomes implementation of EU rules on TV and video-on-demand by Austria; closes infringement case
• Conference on the future of the Audiovisual Industry
• Conference on the future of the Audiovisual Industry
• Conference on the future of the Audiovisual Industry
• Conference on the future of the Audiovisual Industry
• Connecting Europe Facility – broadband and digital infrastructure services
• Connecting Europe Facility – broadband and digital infrastructure services
• Connecting Europe Facility – broadband and digital infrastructure services
• Connecting Europe Facility – broadband and digital infrastructure services
• Defending media pluralism in Hungary
• Defending media pluralism in Hungary
• Defending media pluralism in Hungary
• Defending media pluralism in Hungary
• Digital Agenda: Commission outlines action plan to boost Europe's prosperity and well-being
• Digital Agenda: Commission outlines action plan to boost Europe's prosperity and well-being
• Digital Agenda: Commission outlines action plan to boost Europe's prosperity and well-being
• Digital Agenda: Commission outlines action plan to boost Europe's prosperity and well-being
• Digital Agenda: Commission requests Belgium and UK to implement Audiovisual Media Services Directive in Brussels and Gibraltar
• Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 18-19 November
• Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 18-19 November
• Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 18-19 November
• Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, 18-19 November
• From football boots to spaceships, from mediaeval comics to Caravaggio. EU Ministers pick their top treasures in Europeana
• Journalists and media figures to make proposals to Kroes on effects of digital revolution
• Journalists and media figures to make proposals to Kroes on effects of digital revolution
• Journalists and media figures to make proposals to Kroes on effects of digital revolution
• Journalists and media figures to make proposals to Kroes on effects of digital revolution
• Media: Commission Vice-President Kroes welcomes amendments to Hungarian Media Law
• Media: Commission Vice-President Kroes welcomes amendments to Hungarian Media Law
• Media: Commission Vice-President Kroes welcomes amendments to Hungarian Media Law
• Media: Commission Vice-President Kroes welcomes amendments to Hungarian Media Law

UK regulation

Ofcom Broadcast Bulletins

• Broadcast Bulletin
• Broadcast Bulletin
• Broadcast Bulletin
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 180 20/04/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 181 09/05/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 182 23/05/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 183 06/06/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 184 20/06/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 185 04/07/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 186 18/07/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 186 18/07/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 187 01/08/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 187 01/08/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 188 22/08/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 188 22/08/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 189 12/09/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 189 12/09/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 190 26/09/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 190 26/09/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 191 10/10/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 191 10/10/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 192 24/10/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 192 24/10/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 193 07/11/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 193 07/11/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 194 21/11/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 194 21/11/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 195 05/12/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 195 05/12/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 196 19/12/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 196 19/12/11
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 197 09/01/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 197 09/01/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 198 23/01/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 198 23/01/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 199 06/02/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 199 06/02/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 200 20/02/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 200 20/02/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 201 05/03/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 201 05/03/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 202 19/03/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 202 19/03/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 203 02/04/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 203 02/04/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 204 23/04/12
• Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 204 23/04/12

Newswire

• Ofcom invites applications for first 21 local TV channels May 10, 2012
• UK Broadcasting - Audience Complaints May 9, 2012
• Commission reports on Audiovisual Media Services Directive May 9, 2012
• Broadcast Bulletin May 8, 2012
• Community radio passes 250 mark May 4, 2012
• Broadcast Bulletin April 23, 2012
• Broadcasting Audience Complaints March 28, 2012
• Find out more about ParentPort March 26, 2012
• UK Advertising Codes March 6, 2012
• Ensuring Irish language TV services continue to be available in Northern Ireland post-TV switchover February 20, 2012
• Taking Part: The National Survey of Culture, Leisure and Sport Adult and Child Report 2010/11 February 16, 2012
• Revealed: How parents control children’s access to adult media February 8, 2012
• The eAccessibility action plan: making digital content accessible by everyone – June 2011 February 6, 2012
• Revised DCMS Allocation Letters 2011-12 February 1, 2012
• Creativity for the Creative Sector: Entertaining Europe in the Electronic Age January 24, 2012
• Public Appointments January – December 2011 January 20, 2012
• National Lottery Distribution Fund Account 2010-11 December 22, 2011
• Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund Accounts 2010-11 December 22, 2011
• Encouraging involvement in Big Society: a cultural and sporting perspective – November 2011 December 22, 2011
• Taking Part 2011/12 Quarter 2: Statistical Release December 22, 2011
• Creative Industries Economic Estimates – December 2011 December 22, 2011
• Taking Part 2011/12 Quarter 1: Statistical Release December 21, 2011
• Guidance for submitting proposals to the Urban Broadband Fund December 21, 2011
• Digital Radio Action Plan version 4 December 19, 2011
• Proposed Legislation for Local TV December 19, 2011
• Impact Assessment: S4C new funding arrangement December 14, 2011
• Treasure Annual Report 2009 December 14, 2011
• Broadband Delivery Programme: Superfast Pilots – Lessons Learnt report December 13, 2011
• Impact Assesment on the proposals to exempt Live Music from the Licensing Act 2003 December 13, 2011
• Export of Objects of Cultural Interest 2010-11 December 13, 2011
• Local TV: Making the Vision Happen December 13, 2011
• Enabling UK Growth: Releasing Public Spectrum Update on Progress – December 2011 December 9, 2011
• Enabling UK Growth: Releasing Public Sector Spectrum – March 2011 December 9, 2011
• Local Area statistics on adult participation in sport and active recreation – Active People Survey 5 Report: December 2011 December 8, 2011
• Local Area statistics on adult participation in sport and active recreation – Active People Survey 5 Interim Report: June 2011 December 7, 2011
• Guidance on the Cultural Gifts Scheme December 6, 2011
• London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Quarterly Economic Report December 2011 December 5, 2011
• London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Quarterly Report July 2011 December 5, 2011
• The Horserace Totalisator Board (Tote) annual report and accounts 2010/11 December 5, 2011
• Investing in the future: meeting the Internet's astonishing promise November 29, 2011
• Opening up Europe's cultural treasures to the online world November 29, 2011
• Microtrenching and Street Works: An advice note for Local Authorities and Communications Providers November 28, 2011
• The Government’s response to Next Gen. Transforming the UK into the world’s leading talent hub for the video games and visual effects industries Cm 8226 November 25, 2011
• Export of Objects of Cultural Interest Statistical Release 2010-11 November 15, 2011
• 2004-06 Sport Satellite Account Report October 26, 2011
• Charitable Giving Indicators 2010/11 October 24, 2011
• Summary Broadband Delivery Framework October 21, 2011
• Charitable Giving Indicators 2009/10 October 21, 2011
• 2012 Diamond Jubilee Extra Bank Holiday Impact Assessment October 19, 2011
• DCMS Business Plan Quarterly Data Summary July 2011 October 19, 2011
• Secretary of State’s correspondence with the Chair of the BBC Trust and the Comptroller and Auditor General on NAO acess to the BBC October 17, 2011
• Statistical release for treasure (2009 figures) and portable antiquities (figures for 2009 and 2010) October 12, 2011
• Government response to the public consultation on the 'Advertising and Trading Regulations London 2012' October 12, 2011
• Football Governance: Response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee October 11, 2011
• Broadband Delivery Programme: Delivery Model – September 2011 October 7, 2011
• Broadband Delivery Programme: Delivery Model – May 2011 October 7, 2011
• DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund: A Public-Private Partnership (2002-2010) October 4, 2011
• The use of dormant betting accounts and unclaimed winnings report September 19, 2011
• London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Amendment) Bill: As Introduced into the House of Lords September 2011 September 15, 2011
• London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Amendment) Bill: As Introduced into the House of Commons March 2011 September 15, 2011
• Amendment to Agreement Between Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the British Broadcasting Corporation Cm8002: February 2011 September 15, 2011
• Amendment to Agreement Between Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the British Broadcasting Corporation Cm8170: September 2011 September 14, 2011
• Contribution of the digital communications sector to economic growth and productivity in the UK September 14, 2011
• International comparisons of public engagement in culture and sport September 6, 2011
• DCMS Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11 August 19, 2011
• Report 1 – Scope, research questions and strategy: Meta-Evaluation of the Impacts and Legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games August 16, 2011
• Report 2: Meta-Evaluation of the Impacts and Legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games – April 2011 August 16, 2011
• The Art of the Possible – Using secondary data to detect social and economic impacts from investments in culture and sport: a feasibility study August 11, 2011
• Taking Part: The National Survey of Culture, Leisure and Sport 2010/11 August 9, 2011
• The eAccessibility action plan: making digital content accessible by everyone – January 2011 August 8, 2011
• News Corp/BSkyB Merger: Publication of Documents August 4, 2011
• Memorandum to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee: Post legislative assessment of the National Lottery Act 2006 August 4, 2011
• Next steps for implementation of the Digital Economy Act August 3, 2011
• PAC Recommendations - update for 2010-11 reporting year July 19, 2011
• DCMS Business Plan 2011-2015 July 15, 2011
• Government response to the Welsh Affairs Committee's report on S4C: Fifth Report of Session 2010-12 July 15, 2011
• The Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming machines in adult gaming centres and bingo premises) Order 2011 July 12, 2011
• News Corp/BSkyB merger – letters from the Secretary of State to Ofcom and OFT, 11 July 2011 July 11, 2011
• Memorandum to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee: Post Legislative Assessment of the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 June 22, 2011
• Video Recordings Act 2010 June 21, 2011
• The Digital Switchover Help Scheme CM 8066 - (Revised and reprinted June 2011) June 20, 2011
• Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003 June 20, 2011
• Gambling Act 2005: Category B3 Gaming Machines – Proposals for changes to maximum stake limits and premises' entitlements June 15, 2011
• Broadcasting (Public Services Content) Bill June 8, 2011
• Government Response to the Scottish Affairs Select Committee’s Report on the Video Games Industry in Scotland: Second Report of Session 2010-12 Cm 8067 June 6, 2011
• Government Response to the Select Committee Response on Funding of Arts and Heritage Cm 8071 June 6, 2011
• HMG response to its consultation on proposals and overall approach including its consultation on specific issues May 27, 2011
• Access to Finance for Creative Industry Businesses – Commissioned Research May 27, 2011
• Research Study on Energy Consumption of Digital Radios: Phase 2 May 25, 2011
• Digital Radio Switchover: Willingness to Pay and Consumer Behaviour Research May 25, 2011
• Working towards an inclusive Games 2010-11 May 23, 2011
• Broadcasting Act 1996 May 23, 2011
• Broadcasting Act 1990 May 23, 2011
• The Audiovisual Media Services (Product Placement) Regulations 2010 May 23, 2011
• The Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2009 May 23, 2011
• London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Quarterly Report May 2011 May 13, 2011
• London 2012: a legacy for disabled people – April 2011 April 18, 2011
• Government response to the public consultation on the draft regulations and guidance for non-print legal deposit April 13, 2011
• Government Response to the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications Report into Regulation of Television Advertising – Cm 8057 March 31, 2011
• Taking Part: The National Survey of Culture, Leisure and Sport January – December 2010 March 31, 2011
• The UK's World Heritage Review of the Tentative List of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Independent Expert Panel Report to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – March 2011 March 22, 2011
• Taking Part: England’s Survey of Leisure, Culture and Sport - Year 6 Quarter 4 Questionnaire Development March 11, 2011
• Lottery Reform measures: Research March 9, 2011
• Digital Radio Action Plan – March 2011 (Version 3) March 9, 2011
• BDUK Broadband Delivery Project March 9, 2011
• E-books and E-content 2011 February 15, 2011
• Government Olympic Executive London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Annual Report February 2011 February 14, 2011
• Civil Service People Survey – DCMS Results February 4, 2011
• Statement on the proposed acquisition by News Corporation of BSkyB January 26, 2011
• Transfer of The Royal Parks Statement January 17, 2011
• 50th Levy Scheme – 2011-12 January 10, 2011
• Digital Agenda: Commission outlines action plan to boost Europe's prosperity and well-being May 19, 2010