Audiovisual & Media Services Directive

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.

The consultation took place from July to September 2015.  The document is available in all EU languages. Read the contributions, the synopsis, the announcement and questions & answers regarding the public consultation. 

Find more information about the REFIT Evaluation and Impact Assessment of the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive 2010/13/EU (AVMSD).

Goals of EU coordination
  • providing rules to shape technological developments
  • creating a level playing field for emerging audiovisual media
  • preserving cultural diversity
  • protecting children and consumers
  • safeguarding media pluralism
  • combating racial and religious hatred
  • guaranteeing the independence of national media regulators.

​Areas of EU coordination
The AVMSD governs EU-wide coordination of national legislation in the following areas:

General Principles
Revision of the EU Directive
Protection of the Minors
Promotion and Distribution
Commercial Communication
Content & Distribution Rules
National Audiovisual Regulators & the European Regulators Group
More information Download documents