Germany

[DE] Minister-Presidents consider European Union has no authority to regulate sport coverage rights

IRIS 1997-4:1/36

Wolfgang Closs

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

At their meeting at the end of March 1997, the Minister-Presidents of the Länder (the federal states) discussed the question of exclusive live broadcasting of sports events of particular interest to the public by pay-TV. They talked with sport organisers, holders of rights, and private and public broadcasters. The meeting resulted inter alia in agreement that the question of exclusive coverage rights should preferably be settled by means of voluntary agreements among the parties concerned, with consideration being given to a reasonable proportion of basic supply. In this connection reference was also made to the provision of a public infrastructure for such events. All the parties agreed that the question of exclusive live coverage of sports events did not lie within the responsibilities of the European Union. In the light of this, the Minister-Presidents envisage to have the amendment of the EC Directive on `Television without Frontiers' in this direction rejected by the representatives of the Länder on the Culture Council of the European Union.