TV Channels in Bulgaria Mandated to Air 50% EU Programs

The amendments in the Radio and T Act were passed by the Members of the Bulgaria Parliament Thursday on second reading. File Photo

European TV production must represent 50% of the annual TV program time in Bulgaria, per the amendments of the Radio and TV Act.

The amendments were passed by the Members of the Parliament Thursday on second reading.

The 50% quota, however, is to be fulfilled only “when possible”, according a stipulation in the new Act.

The amendments provide that at least 12% of the European quota should mandatory include European programs of independent producers. The 12% do not include news, sports broadcast, TV games, commercials, or repeat airing of European programs.

The quota is not mandatory for local TV operators.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BPS) proposed to include a mandatory 25% of original Bulgarian programs in the 50% of European production, which was rejected by the MPs. The socialists insisted such provision would stimulate Bulgarian productions and national pride and identity, pointing out about 10 EU Member States have a mandatory share for original national programs.

The proposal was rejected by the ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party and the rightist Blue Coalition with the respective motives that labels such as Bulgarian-made sound discriminatory and if Bulgarian programs are valuable they will exceed the requested 25%.

According to the new Act, the paid showing or mention of a product or brand name in a program is allowed only in movies, TV series, sports and entertainment programs, but it is banned in news broadcasts, religious and children programs.

Other amendments include increased sanctions for media operators; mandate that the Electronic Media Council(SEM) accounts for their activity twice a year and public SEM meetings.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!