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theibcdaily Copyright reform overdue Spectrum debate: The bigger picture By George Jarrett European Commissioner Neelie Kroes on stage with The IBC Daily’s Chris Forrester Conference Analysis By Chris Forrester


“Broadcasting needs a mindset that is open, borderless and competitive. Europe’s single market is our crown jewel – let’s preserve it and enhance it,” argued Neelie Kroes, Europe’s outgoing VP commissioner fot the Digital Agenda and Connected Europe. But she warned that change had to take place. “The internet doesn’t know


borders. Territorial restrictions just put barriers in the way. We already have a ‘country of origin’ rule for audiovisual and media services [which permits] broadcast anywhere in the EU. This is central to a single market, central to our digital future.” Madam Kroes, who departs the Commission in the next few weeks, stressed that copyright reform is needed. “Today, broadcasters spend years clearing licenses so that they


can show material in other EU countries. That’s expensive enough for established players: new innovative players can’t afford it at all.


“I am asked ‘Why can’t I access my favourite TV show when I travel’ and ‘How do I watch the match of my soccer team from back home?’ It’s time for change. Today’s rules are obstructing tomorrow’s digital future.”


She explained that the


European Commission’s president-elect J C Juncker is making the digital single market a priority. “We need to ensure open access to that content. That starts with net neutrality, so viewers are free to access whatever they choose without their telco provider deciding for them.” Kroes cautioned against moving too fast in terms of some regulation, but stressed that in areas such as copyright “reform is long overdue. Let’s take every opportunity to deregulate and adapt.”


Today in the Hub


The IBC Content Everywhere Europe Hub, located in Hall 14 and sponsored by Hybris, is the venue for a series of free presentations, case studies and debates. With great interest in multi-platform delivery, on- demand viewing and new business models, these sessions are set to define the agenda.


Each day there will be two, hour- long, editorially independent panel debates. Today, the 15:30 session looks at sporting content and how its benefits can be maximised across any device. With the Sochi Olympics and Brazil World Cup both delivering remarkable multi- platform content, there is much to discuss.


Right after IBC’s ‘Great Spectrum Debate’ decided to signal that the broadcast group had ‘beaten’ the mobile broadband community, the show was buzzing with the news that the EU, in light of the Pascal Lamy report on spectrum allocation, had decided that a further consultative period is required. European Commission vice


president Neelie Kroes wrote to members of the High Level Group to thank them for their efforts on behalf of Lamy, and referred to an extra public consultancy. Reactions from the EBU came


from director general Ingrid Deltenre and spectrum expert Darko Ratkaj. Deltenre said: “This debate is not yet finished. After the Lamy report, I think they won’t give up. There was a lot of work done for


Lamy – hundred of hours of meetings and expert group meetings. You come to a conclusion, there is a report, and you simply cannot start this whole process again.” Sadly for the broadcast side of the spectrum battle, Lamy was advice without weight it now appears. “They were a group of hand-picked experts with no power to decide,” said Ratkaj. “At the same time there are two formal groups finalising reports on the use of the UHF band.


“The Radio Spectrum Policy


Group (RSPG) is finalising a report for the end of the year, with a consultation period until February. The CEBT, the national spectrum regulators body, will publish in November,” he added. “The big message is that Lamy is one thing in a bigger picture. What we did not know before the letter was that the Commission is planning a public


UHD camera is good sport: The new Hitachi SK-UHD4000 Ultra HD camera uses 2/3-inch sensors, and takes traditional B4-mount broadcast lenses which Paddy Roache (pictured), director and general manager, Hitachi UK, sees as “the most logical way forward, to allow production companies to make reasonable financial evaluations about moving into 4K. From a technical standpoint, it drops in [to existing infrastructure] beautifully. It’s a TV system camera, not a cinema camera.” It is expected to ship before March, although pre-production models are currently undergoing tests with various broadcasters. In one, the camera was used in a Sony-based OB truck, “and it slotted straight in. All of the tallies, intercom systems, returns, all plugged in and operated the same way, and because it is 2/3-inch, all the cameramen were able to operate it exactly like an HD camera,” said Richard Harvey, technical director. “It is particularly suitable for sport. It’s a totally workable solution for them,” added Roache. – David Fox 11.D39


The other panel debate starts at 13:00, and looks at the prospects for LTE Broadcast. The added bandwidth available in new generation mobile data networks offers the prospect of unique services, including dedicated channels inside sporting venues. Systems are on trial, and their technical and commercial aspects will be discussed this afternoon. The rest of the day’s


programme is made up with


presentations by vendors and users who will reflect on what has already been achieved and what is on the near horizon. The full programme can be seen online at: www.ibcCE.org/europehub, or in the Hub.


All the sessions are free to any IBC attendee, and with many of the sessions likely to be extremely popular, it could be a good plan to get there early.


If you are registered for IBC Content Everywhere Europe and have a Touch & Connect device, you can collect exclusive content, along with white papers and other materials, from the Download Wall in the Hub and view all of the content in your personalised Touch & Connect Portal. For more information and to view the full timetable, visit: www.ibcCE.org/europehub


Ingrid Deltenre: “This debate is not yet finished”


consultation. The spectrum policy unit in Commission Services will probably run that.”


08 theibcdaily


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