Sweden

[SE] The Swedish Broadcasting Commission Proposes List Of Major Events

IRIS 2014-2:1/33

Erik Ullberg and Michael Plogell

Wistrand Advokatbyrå, Gothenburg

According to Section 5:9 of the Swedish Radio and Television Act (RTL), which implements Directive 2010/13/EU on Audiovisual Media Services, the Swedish Government may adopt draft regulations on events that are considered as being of major importance for Swedish society (list of major events). Such events must be broadcast on free television to which a substantial proportion of the public has access As far as the notion ‘substantial part of the public’ is concerned, the Swedish Broadcasting Commission (SBC) considers this criterion to be fulfilled if a television programme service can be received by at least 85% of the population.

In February 2013, the Swedish Government assigned the SBC with the task of submitting a proposal on how a list of major events could potentially be drafted. The mandate also included obtaining opinions from stakeholders. A list of major events must ultimately be approved by the European Commission, which, amongst others, will examine whether the list complies with EU law.

The SBC’s report was delivered on 15 November 2013 and included the following proposal for a list of major events:

a) The Summer and Winter Olympic Games;

b) The FIFA World Cup for men and women: qualifying games and final tournament matches with Swedish participation, and semi-finals and finals;

c) The UEFA European Football Championship for men and women: qualifying games and final tournament matches with Swedish participation, and semi-finals and finals;

d) The FIS Nordic World Championship;

e) The IAAF World Athletics Championships;

f) The IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship for men: matches with Swedish participation, and semi-finals and finals;

g) Vasaloppet; and

h) The Nobel Banquet.

From the report it can be concluded that most stakeholders are not supportive of the adoption of a list of major events. These stakeholders believe that the market functions well already and that such a list is unnecessary. Conversely, the stakeholders in favour of a list consider that it could be an insurance against major events being broadcast on pay television channels in the future.

It remains to be seen how and if the report will lead to any actions by the Swedish Government.