SRG comments on the RTVV revision
SRG welcomes the revision proposed by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) for a revised Radio and Television Ordinance (RTVO) in principle, as it writes in a communiqué on Thursday. Nevertheless, it is submitting proposals for amendments.
It is important that the same legal conditions are created for foreign and Swiss broadcasters. However, the SRG is submitting proposals for amendments in various areas relating to advertising opportunities, interruption advertising and online offerings. The SRG is aware that it is expected to provide reasonable regulations in these areas that are geared towards the interests of viewers.
"SRG SSR expects the partial revision of the RTVO above all to enable all Swiss broadcasters to compete more effectively in the advertising and sponsorship market against the advertising windows of foreign broadcasters. Swiss broadcasters, in particular SRG SSR, need attractive and innovation-promoting regulations within the framework of the legal provisions in order to be able to compete with foreign competitors close to their borders in the long term and safeguard the public service," SRG continues. It therefore welcomes in principle the planned liberalization of interruption advertising, advertising opportunities and online offerings, even if this still does not take place to the same extent as for private broadcasters. "SRG SSR is aware that, with regard to the handling of interstitial advertising in its programming, it must and wants to comply with a regulation that is oriented towards the public service and the interests of viewers", but is also dependent on attractive framework conditions in order to satisfy advertising customers. It must have the opportunity to integrate advertising into the program within the scope of what is permissible. An increase in commercial income also relieves the burden on license fee payers. For SRG, it goes without saying that children's programs and broadcasts of religious services should not be interrupted by advertising.
Lifting the ban on online advertising
In the communiqué, SRG also considers the proposed advertising regulations for sport and entertainment to be sensible. "However, if Swiss media companies are to be effectively prevented from being placed at a disadvantage compared to their foreign competitors, the ban on sponsorship and advertising for SRG SSR's online offering should be lifted or at least restricted to the news offering."
"SRG SSR expects the partial revision of the RTVO above all to enable all Swiss broadcasters to compete more effectively in the advertising and sponsorship market against the advertising windows of foreign broadcasters. Swiss broadcasters, in particular SRG SSR, need attractive and innovation-promoting regulations within the framework of the legal provisions in order to be able to compete with foreign competitors close to their borders in the long term and safeguard the public service," SRG continues. It therefore welcomes in principle the planned liberalization of interruption advertising, advertising opportunities and online offerings, even if this still does not take place to the same extent as for private broadcasters. "SRG SSR is aware that, with regard to the handling of interstitial advertising in its programming, it must and wants to comply with a regulation that is oriented towards the public service and the interests of viewers", but is also dependent on attractive framework conditions in order to satisfy advertising customers. It must have the opportunity to integrate advertising into the program within the scope of what is permissible. An increase in commercial income also relieves the burden on license fee payers. For SRG, it goes without saying that children's programs and broadcasts of religious services should not be interrupted by advertising.
Lifting the ban on online advertising
In the communiqué, SRG also considers the proposed advertising regulations for sport and entertainment to be sensible. "However, if Swiss media companies are to be effectively prevented from being placed at a disadvantage compared to their foreign competitors, the ban on sponsorship and advertising for SRG SSR's online offering should be lifted or at least restricted to the news offering."
