Analyst: Digital Single Market will lead to rights shift
May 7, 2015
By Colin Mann
The proposed introduction of a Digital Single Market for Europe could see a move to towards pan-European media players bringing scale to the negotiating table when buying programming rights, according to Martyn Whistler, EY’s Lead Media & Entertainment Analyst.
“We know audiences want to access their content wherever and whenever they want. Being constrained by national borders is something audiences find increasingly frustrating so today’s announcement by the EU will be welcomed by European consumers,” he suggested.
“From an industry perspective, although the impact upon catch-up services are grabbing the headlines, what is actually more interesting is any changes around subscription media services as it will alter how rights are sold. Expect to see a shift towards pan-European media players who can bring scale to the negotiating table when buying programming rights,” he advised.