The EU's Audiovisual Media Services Directive governs EU-wide coordination of national legislation on all audiovisual media, both traditional TV broadcasts and on-demand services.
The AudioVisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) covers all services with audiovisual content irrespective of the technology used to deliver the content. The rules apply whether you watch news or other audiovisual content on TV, on the Internet, on cable or on your mobile device. Taking into account the degree of choice and user control over services, the AVMSD makes a distinction between linear (television broadcasts) and non-linear (on-demand) services.
The AVMSD directive is currently open for review. A new legislative proposal amending the AVMSD has been adopted by the European Commission on 25 May 2016.
The European Commission organised a public consultation to seek the views of all interested parties on how to make Europe's audiovisual media landscape fit for purpose in the digital age.