Germany

[DE] Broadcasters Agree on Standard EPGs

IRIS 2007-1:1/13

Jochen Fuchs

Institute of European Media Law (EMR), Saarbrücken/Brussels

In a joint statement issued on 23 October 2006 by public service television broadcasters ARD and ZDF and the Verband Privater Rundfunk und Telemedien (Association of private broadcasters and telemedia - VPRT e.V.), private and public service broadcasters agreed on common basic standards for non-discriminatory electronic programme guides (so-called EPGs) for television and radio. EPGs are defined as systems which guide the selection of television channels and are used as an overriding user interface to navigate through and select all services available through the system. The agreement is aimed at manufacturers of digital receivers and set-top boxes, as well as network and platform operators in the cable and satellite sectors, which use EPGs for navigation through digital channels. The standards laid down in the areas of functionality, programme descriptions and user-friendliness should make it easier for viewers to cope with the growing number of digital channels at their disposal. Programme descriptions should be neutral and free from advertising and, in order to avoid discrimination, should not list individual services or providers.