Films and television programmes made in Europe continue to attract high viewing figures.  According to a newly-published study, European audiences devote almost three-quarters of their peak viewing time to European content.

The study, based on a representative sample of television channels and associated services throughout Europe, has been carried out on behalf of the European Commission in order to examine the promotion of European works by television channels and on-demand services in 30 countries, as required by the European audiovisual rules.  It proposes methods for evaluating the presence of, and investment in, European content by video-on-demand services.  Furthermore, it encourages Member States and on-demand services to draw up guidelines for assessing the importance of European content in new media.

Whereas previous studies have only measured audience figures, this study provides the first figures for viewing duration of European content.  The numbers are encouraging: In 2007 European programmes and films represented 74% of viewing time, and rose to 75.5% between 18:00 and 23:00. 33.4% of Europeans' viewing time was devoted to independent European productions.

"I welcome viewers' interest in European works.  This demonstrates that European diversity, promoted by the European Union's audiovisual policy, is a value shared by the vast majority of Europeans,' said Jacques Barrot, vice-president of the European Commission.  "But I am convinced that we can do better and that the broadcasting of our works can be further increased.  In particular, we must utilise the potential of on-demand services in order to promote local and European content throughout Europe, thereby furthering cultural diversity and independent production."

The majority of video-on-demand services provided by European television channels offer almost exclusively European content.  However, independent video-on-demand services promote European productions far less: 25% stated that they offer less than 25% European viewing time in their listings.

Read the full study.