Broadcasters

Organisers says new rule will ensure contest provides ‘safe and welcoming environment’ for participantsBroadcasters will no longer be eligible to host the Eurovision song contest if their state is involved in an “armed conflict” or “sensitive geopolitical situation”.Eurovision is traditionally hosted by the previous year’s winning broadcaster, with the next show due to take place in Bulgaria in 2027 after singer Dara’s victory for the country in May. Continue reading...

• Public-service broadcasters (PSBs) across Europe, including the BBC, RAI, ZDF, and TVP, are experiencing a significant decline in viewership and relevance. • The struggle is driven by a combination of "apathetic teenagers" ignoring traditional content and the influence of "culture warriors" targeting state media. • This shift matters because these institutions are considered integral to the political and social fabric of modern European polities.

• The BBC and Channel 4 are currently in discussions regarding a potential streaming partnership to increase their collective scale. • This strategic tie-up aims to combat the loss of younger audiences who are increasingly migrating toward global streaming platforms. • Separately, the BBC reports success in improving license fee compliance, citing the effective use of QR codes during World Cup coverage.

• Broadcasters are managing an unprecedented workload for the North American World Cup, which features 104 matches played over 39 days across three countries. • The tournament has broken previous records for both revenue and global reach, with more than 100 different networks providing coverage of the event. • This expansion highlights the massive commercial growth of soccer's showpiece event and the logistical strain placed on media teams to deliver content.

Industrial action is biggest escalation yet in months-long dispute with populist government of Andrej BabišThousands of public service media employees in Czechia are holding a 24-hour strike after the government of the billionaire prime minister, Andrej Babiš, pushed ahead with controversial plans to change the way the country’s public broadcasters are funded.Monday’s industrial action by staff at Czech Television and Czech Radio marks the biggest escalation yet in a months-long confrontation between the broadcasters and Babiš’s populist administration. Continue reading...

• The New Zealand government is investigating new regulations for international streaming services to protect local broadcasters and content creators from financial devastation. • Proposed measures include implementing a levy on platforms, establishing local content quotas, or requiring direct investment into New Zealand-based productions. • Screen Producers NZ president Irene Gardiner noted that similar schemes were recently adopted in Australia, following precedents set by Canada, France, Switzerland, Spain, and Denmark.

• Fox has announced its lineup of broadcasters, analysts, and former players who will call the group stage matches for the 2026 World Cup. • The crew includes veteran broadcaster Ian Darke from ESPN, analyst Danny Higginbotham of Apple TV and NBC Sports, and former USMNT goal-scoring record holder Landon Donovan. • This selection brings together a mix of experienced play-by-play announcers and elite former athletes to provide expert commentary for a global audience.