Public Service Media in Germany: normative framework and technological developments

Public Service Media in Germany: normative framework and technical

developments.

Dr. Roberto Suárez CandelMarie Curie Research Fellow

Torino, Sept. 21st, 2010Meeting of the Gruppo Europeo di Torino

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 1

Public Service Media in Germany

PSB - DigitalRedefining and repositioning Public Service Broadcasting in the digital

and multiplatform scenario.Post-doctoral Research Project

funded by the Marie Curie Intra-European Action

www.psb-digital.eu

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 2

Public Service Media in Germany

Outline

1. Situation of Public Service Media in Germany

2. The ‘Three Steps Test’ (Dreistufentest)3. Public Service Funding4. Technical developments and innovation

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 3

Public Service Media in Germany

1. Public Service in Germany

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 4

Public Service Media in Germany

1. Public Service in Germany

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 4

Public Service Media in Germany

1. Public Service in Germany

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 6

Public Service Media in Germany

1. Public Service in Germany

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 7

Public Service Media in Germany

• 2009, the public fee = 7.6 billions €

• ARD-Dritte, the regional (state) public channels were the most viewed channels in Germany, with 13.5% of the share.

• Das Erste and ZDF also had good results, with 12.7% and 12.5% respectively.

1. Public Service in Germany

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 8

Public Service Media in Germany

• The public service thematic channels obtained more discrete viewing figures (between 0.7% and 1.4%), but they were also leaders in that market niche. • The public service offer is the leader of the

German market with an average aggregated daily audience share between 41.5% and 45.3% (2009).

1. Public Service in Germany

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 9

Public Service Media in Germany

2. The ‘Three Steps Test’ (Dreistufentest)

• 2002-2004: complaints in front of the European Commission against German Public Broadcasters: funding / activities

• Better definition of Public Service Remit

• Ex –ante evaluation procedure

• 2005-2006: CE carries out investigations

• 2006/2007: Beihilfekompromiss

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 10

Public Service Media in Germany

• 2008: design + regulatory process

• June 2009: 12th Interstate Broadcasting Treaty enters into force and incorporates the ‘Three Steps Test’

• June 2009 – August 2010: Test implementation complex & expensive

2. The ‘Three Steps Test’ (Dreistufentest)

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 11

Public Service Media in Germany

Which are the 3 steps?

1. To what degree does the offer conform to the democratic, social and cultural needs of society?

2. The ‘Three Steps Test’ (Dreistufentest)

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 11

Public Service Media in Germany

Which are the 3 steps?

2. The ‘Three Steps Test’ (Dreistufentest)

2. To what degree does the offer contribute to editorial competition in a qualitative manner?

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 11

Public Service Media in Germany

Which are the 3 steps?

2. The ‘Three Steps Test’ (Dreistufentest)

3. What financial expenditure is required for the implementation of the offer?

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 11

Public Service Media in Germany

Which are the 3 steps?

2. The ‘Three Steps Test’ (Dreistufentest)

1. Compliance with Public Service Remit

2. Editorial Competition

3. Funding

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Public Service Media in Germany

A very complex implementation process:• Definition of Public Service Remit for Telemedia

• Definition of evaluation criteria

• Broadcasting Councils needed training

• Extra budget and administrative task force

• External economic assessment

• Participation of third parties

2. The ‘Three Steps Test’ (Dreistufentest)

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Public Service Media in Germany

• Each public broadcaster carried out several tests

• Criticism concerning transparency

• Self-censorship / Depublizierung

All the evaluations had a POSITIVE result

2. The ‘Three Steps Test’ (Dreistufentest)

A very complex implementation process:

Gruppo Europeo di Torino, Sept 2010 - Dr. Roberto Suárez Candel 14

Public Service Media in Germany

3. Public Service Funding

• Convergence sets a new scenario

• Beyond 2013: From receiver ownership to residence basis

• Need for changes in the GEZ?

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Public Service Media in Germany

4. Technical developments and innovation

German PSB are innovative agents

• Leading and reference role during the DTT transition (2003-2008)

• Take part in the satellite analogue switch-off (April 2012)

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Public Service Media in Germany

German PSB are innovative agents

• Multiplatform offer: Sat, Cab, DTT, IPTV, Web Tv.

• Online activities: Mediathek, podcast, rss, newsletters, social networking.

• HbbTV, High Definition

4. Technical developments and innovation

Public Service Media in Germany

Grazie!

Dr. Roberto Suárez CandelMarie Curie Research FellowHans Bredow InstitutHamburg - Germany

r.suarez@hans-bredow-institut.dewww.psb-digital.eu