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Week ending February 11, 2012

VPRT - „Wichtiger Erfolg für das Privatradio“ - February 10, 2012
from Gesa Klebe/VPRT

Klaus Schunk, Vorsitzender des Fachbereiches Radio und Audiodienste im Verband Privater Rundfunk und Telemedien e. V. (VPRT), hat den zwischen Bundestag und Bundesrat im Vermittlungsausschuss erzielten Kompromiss zur Novelle des Telekommunikationsrechts im Bereich Hörfunk begrüßt: „Dieses Ergebnis ist ein wichtiger Erfolg für das Privatradio auf dem Weg zu mehr Investitionssicherheit, Wertschöpfung und Programmvielfalt. Es hat sich gelohnt, dass der VPRT seine Argumente beharrlich vorgetragen hat.“ Mit dem Ergebnis folge der Vermittlungsausschuss den wesentlichen Verbandsforderungen im Bereich UKW und zu mehr Wettbewerb im Sendernetzbetrieb. Schunk: „Eine UKW-Abschaltung konnte ebenso verhindert werden wie unsinnige Frequenzwiderrufe mit erheblichen Kostenrisiken. Zuletzt hat der Vermittlungsausschuss dafür gesorgt, dass mehr Wettbewerb beim Betrieb der Sendernetze nicht durch erhöhte Frequenzgebühren erschwert wird. Dem kann nur zugestimmt werden.“

Der VPRT erkennt an, dass sich im Vermittlungsverfahren auch in den über den Hörfunk hinausgehenden Themenbereichen der Frequenzpolitik noch Verbesserungen der Länderposition ergeben haben. Die Stärkung der Mitwirkungsrechte der Länder im Interesse des Rundfunks werde allerdings nicht ausreichend im Gesetz verankert, so Schunk weiter: „Wir hätten uns ein umfassenderes Einvernehmen der Länder sowie eine gesetzliche Absicherung der Störungsfreiheit gewünscht.“ Der VPRT mahne daher dringend an, dass die Länder und besonders der Bund die auf Verordnungsebene und in Protokollerklärungen festgehaltenen Grundsätze zur Sicherung der Rundfunkbelange in künftigen Frequenzfragen auch wirklich leben.

Bund und Länder hatten sich in dieser Woche im Vermittlungsverfahren sowie in zusätzlichen Protokollerklärungen darauf geeinigt, dass die Zusammenarbeit bei der künftigen Planung, Verwaltung und Verteilung der Frequenzen intensiviert wird. Weiter soll eine Änderung der Frequenzgebührenverordnung erfolgen, um den Sendern einen kostengünstigen Wechsel des Sendernetzbetreibers und im Ergebnis mehr Wettbewerb zu ermöglichen. Außerdem ist der Bund gehalten, bei der künftigen Vergabe von Rundfunkfrequenzen durch Versteigerung eine einvernehmliche Regelung über die Erlösverteilung mit den Ländern zu erarbeiten.

AER - TALK RADIO ACCESS TO AIRWAVES HINDERED IN HUNGARY – February 7, 2012
from Vincent Sneed/AER

AER has today written to the Hungarian Media Council to protest alleged irregularities in talk radio licensing procedure.

The letter states that the recent appeared prioritisation for musical radio offerings in place of talk radio stations risks to significantly reduce the amount of debates on air in Budapest and in the rest of Hungary, hindering media pluralism.

Alfonso Ruiz de Assín, AER President, indeed recalls that the EU 2009 Telecom Package underlines that “Measures taken by Member States regarding end-users access to, or use of, services and applications through electronic communications networks shall respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons, as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and general principles of Community law”.

Radio frequencies are electronic communications networks and constitute a public good that has an essential social, cultural and economic value. An independent and lawful procedure is key for granting the freedom of expression and media pluralism. Talk radio specifically is an important part of a full spectrum of media offerings which give citizens a voice.

Recent and ongoing renewal of radio broadcasting licences in Budapest and in Hungary showed concerning irregularities, including:

  • Delays in the publication of information on the conditions to apply for licences
  • Modification of the conditions of use of the licence – disabling access for talk radio in favor of music content in Budapest, a key area in the country
  • Lack of transparency in the awarding of the related licence (e.g. project plan, financial situation) and on the grounds of refusing the renewal of the licence
  • Inequality in the setting of application conditions for the awarding of licences enabling expansion of the reception area surrounding Budapest
  • RTL Group appoints Guillaume de Posch and Anke Schäferkordt as new CEOs – Gerhard Zeiler to leave RTL Group - February 7, 2012
    from Oliver Herrgesell/RTL Group

    Luxembourg, 7 February 2012 – Gerhard Zeiler, Chief Executive Officer of RTL Group, nleaves the company on his own request with effect from the Annual General Meeting on 18 April 2012, to take on a new challenge. Guillaume de Posch and Anke Schäferkordt will succeed him as co-CEOs.

    Guillaume de Posch, currently Chief Operating Officer of RTL Group, will take over responsibility for the Group’s broadcasting operations outside Germany, and the company’s production business. Anke Schäferkordt will continue to manage the German TV business in addition to her role as CEO of RTL Group.

    Elmar Heggen – RTL Group CFO and Head of the Corporate Centre in Luxembourg – Guillaume de Posch and Anke Schäferkordt are expected to join the RTL Group Board of Directors as Executive Directors.

    Andreas Rudas – Executive Vice President Regional Operations & Business Development CEE and Asia – will sit on the RTL Group Executive Committee alongside de Posch, Schäferkordt and Heggen.

    Siegfried Luther, Chairman of the RTL Group Board of Directors, says: “On behalf of all shareholders and the entire RTL Group Board, I thank Gerhard Zeiler for his outstanding achievements in his 13 years at RTL and nearly nine years as CEO of RTL Group. Under his excellent management, RTL Group has become the undisputed number one free-to-air TV company in Europe, and a globally renowned brand for popular, high-quality television. Guillaume de Posch and Anke Schäferkordt, two exceedingly experienced, internationally recognised managers, will take over the management of RTL Group. I am delighted that the two have agreed to take on this task together with the Group’s CFO, Elmar Heggen.”

    Speaking for RTL Group’s majority shareholder, Thomas Rabe, CEO of Bertelsmann AG, says: “I regret Gerhard’s decision to leave the company, but would like to personally congratulate him on the impressive success story of the past decade. Under his leadership, the Group’s revenues, EBITA and return on sales showed an exemplary development, and the company is strategically and powerfully positioned for continued growth. Guillaume de Posch and Anke Schäferkordt as CEOs, and CFO Elmar Heggen will jointly succeed Gerhard Zeiler. The expertise of these first-class managers will provide valuable impetus for the company’s further development as it continues to increase its< value long-term.”

    Gerhard Zeiler, CEO of RTL Group, says: “I’m deeply grateful for my wonderful years at RTL Group, with a great team of passionate managers and an ever-supportive Board of Directors and shareholders. The decision to leave was not an easy one, but on the other hand I look forward to a new, international task. I wish RTL Group a successful next step in its unbelievable development.”

    YouGov - TV advertising – what is acceptable? - February 6, 2012
    from Giovanna Clark/YouGov

    Recent research from YouGov reveals that cosmetic surgery procedures, cigarettes, gambling, payday loans, abortion providers, prescription drugs and debt finance solutions should not be allowed to be advertised on television. However, other potentially controversial subjects such as alcoholic drinks, political parties, fast food and laser surgery providers should be allowed to advertise in this way, our poll on the issue has found.

  • 79% of Brits say that cigarettes shouldn't be allowed to be advertised on television
  • Payday loans (75% said that they shouldn't be allowed), gambling (73%), personal injury lawyers (65%) and cosmetic surgery providers (63%) were almost as unpopular when it comes to TV advertising
  • 63% say that abortion providers should not be allowed to advertise on TV
  • While 54% apiece would ban TV adverts for prescription drugs and debt refinancing companies
  • Opinions on whether alcoholic drinks should be allowed were more split, but just slightly more people would allow them (50%) than disallow them (44%)
  • Similarly, a slim majority of Britons would allow laser surgery providers (54% would allow), political parties and candidates (58% allow, 36% disallow), and fast food companies (61% allow, 33% disallow) to advertise
  • Most accepted in the TV advert stakes were children's toys, which just 15% would ban from TV advertising compared to 79% who would allow it, and 11% who think Universities shouldn't be allowed to have TV advertising, compared to 84% who think they should.

    The poll was conducted in light of the recent call from The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) that the advertising of cosmetic surgery procedures should be banned – prompting debate over what advertising content should be permissible on TV.

    SevenOne International: BBC picks up dramedy series "Lilyhammer" - February 6, 2012
    from Stefanie Prinz/SevenOne International

    Munich, February 6th 2012. The BBC secured rights to the new mobster series "Lilyhammer" starring Stevie Van Zandt. The dramedy tells the fish-out-of water-story of a New York mobster who asks to be relocated to the sleepy Norwegian town Lillehammer that hosted the

    Richard Klein, Controller BBC Four: "Lilyhammer mixes sharp wit and American big city ways with the beauty of the Norwegian mountains and folksy nature of a small town - a perfect combination for a razor-sharp drama about cultural mores. I am delighted the BBC Four has acquired this drama and I am sure our viewers are going to have a good time!" Sue Deeks, BBC´s Head of Programme Acquisition adds "Lilyhammer is fresh, funny and offbeat - it makes a highly original addition to BBC Four's rich Scandinavian drama slate."

    "Wow, what a series! First the sale to Netflix and the outstanding ratings in Norway - scoring an all-time high for a Norwegian drama-series - and now to top it all off it will be airing on the BBC!", says Henrik Pabst, Director of International Format Acquisition and Regional Sales Director generated such a buzz so quickly. This demonstrates `Lilyhammer´s´
    quality and the appeal of the show´s terrific lead Stevie Van Zandt."

    "Lilyhammer" launched January 25th on Norway´s public broadcaster NRK1. One in five Norwegians watched the series premiere, reaching an overall share of 56.3 per cent and resulting in an all-time-high for NRK1 and the best ratings for a Norwegian made drama-series ever. With 44.2 per cent in the commercial demographics, "Lilyhammer" outperformed the channel average by 245 per cent. The second episode performed even stronger with 46,5 per cent in the commercial demographics.

    Viewers in the U.S., Canada and Latin America will be able to watch the dramedy on Netflix starting February 6th. Netflix will be co-producer of the second season.

    Known for his iconic performance as Silvio Dante, the consigliere to Tony Soprano in the award-winning series "The Sopranos," and his work as guitarist in Bruce Springsteen´s E Street Band, Van Zandt created "Lilyhammer" with some of Norway´s top actors, writers and directors. As Frank "The Fixer" Tagliano, Van Zandt both changes and is changed by his new Norwegian home.

    "Lilyhammer" is produced by Norwegian production company Rubicon.


    Previous News From You

    News From You: Week ending January 21, 2012

    News From You: Week ending January 14, 2012

    News From You: Week ending January 7, 2012

    News From You: Week ending December 24, 2011

    News From You: Week ending December 10, 2011

    News From You: Week ending December 3, 2011

    News From You: Week ending November 26, 2011

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