EU Sets New Digitial Media Laws

Originally Posted by BBC News

European ministers have agreed on new rules for television and on-demand video on the internet, allowing more advertising and "product placement".

The European Commission says the new version of the 1989 "TV Without Frontiers" directive will make the EU's audiovisual market more competitive.

Viewers will have to be informed when product placement - putting a sponsor's product in a TV show - takes place.

The practice will remain banned from children's and news programmes.

The new package also features the country-of-origin principle, meaning that broadcasters are governed by the rules of their home country, even if their programmes are transmitted in other states with different rules.

Its about time too, the changes were desperately needed. Will only be good for the industry to chance and benefit the consumer at the end of the day!

BBC News Report

So does this mean not only will there be advertisements inbetween programs, but actually in them too?!

Possibly in the corner like a DOG is on normal television.

I think in program means that they will now be showing day to day items rather than hiding the brand.

You know how you see in the movies.
Can of pepsi here and a can of coke there lol.

Its for television on demand Mark, which is essentially normal broadcast television programs. Basically, content providers will be able to have more intrusive advertising via on-demand mediums such as internet and ODTV services.

At the end of the day the majority of revenue will always come from proper public broadcast, which is governed by a different set of rules and regulations, independent to the EU, so more on screen advertising is not going to happen anytime soon.

Flicker advertising will remain banned also.

Thats not so bad then, if they can offer content related to the programme selected.

It will be partially benifitial to the consumer, but moreso to the company selling the product as it will allow them to specifically target their market

It will be highly beneficial to the consumer Joe, i think you are mis-understanding, currently a lot of content providers have to charge for programs etc via ODTV and internet services. Now that the rules are relaxed for online programmming, it means that they will be able to see more revenue from advertisers and sponsors.

This will mean that providers will not only be able to show more content online, but also cheaper and more free content will be available.