CSA sets outs four principles for connected TV services

French audiovisual regulator CSA's president, Michel Boyon, defined the body's position with respect to the development of connected TV during a symposium organised by HD Forum and the HbbTV Consortium. He underscored the risk that connected TV could bring to the economic balance of channels, financing audiovisual and film production and freedom of choice for viewers. Nevertheless, the internet is more a complement than a competitor of the TV sector, as demonstrated by the success of catch-up TV services. Boyon insisted on the respect of four principles set out by the CSA: the refusal to backtrack in the definition of areas justifying regulation (child protection, consumer protection, pluralism, etc), the lightening of some regulations on channels (media choronology, concentration ceilings, circulation of works) without harming the interests of creators, the obligation for all businesses earning money from the airing of content to take part in financing creation, and the elaboration of joint regulation with industry professionals for online audiovisual content. CSA will form a commission in January 2012 to address the connected TV segment including representatives from the public sector, audiovisual professionals and civil society.