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2.9. European Broadcasting Union - EBU
2.9.1. History, evolution and data about EBU
- 1925
- Radio organisations from some European countries founded the International Broadcasting Union - IBU, with the purpose of uniting their radio-systems and for co-operating in developing new programme producing and transmission techniques.
- 1950
- On 12 February 1950, in Torquay (England), 23 radio and TV organisations from Europe and around the Mediterranean Basin signed the instrument setting up the European Broadcasting Union and, in so doing, dealt the death blow to the International Broadcasting Union beset by the problems of post-war Europe and upheaval in the European political arena.
- 1950-1989
- At the start of broadcasting, governments felt that because frequencies were scarce it was in the public's interest to keep a very tight rein on their utilisation. With the advent and spread of satellites, plus their extension in many countries via cable distribution networks, the scarcity argument lost much of its weight and politicians tended to reject what was considered a monopolistic situation; hence, the move towards placing broadcasting a competitive environment. EBU has moved with the times, but has remained aware, along with the public service broadcasters that constitute its membership, that culture is not a commodity like any other: radio (and TV) must primarily be treated as society issue.
- 1989
- Since 1989 the EBU's radio programme exchanges, under the name of Euroradio, have made increasing use of a mix sattelite-terestrial network. EBU also rapidly increases its co-operation with the former communist states in Eastern Europe, strengthening the ties especially in the fields of know-how and technology transfer, and in programme exchanges.
- 1993
- Following the upheaval of Eastern Europe, on 1 January 1993 took place the unification of the EBU with the OIRT - the former radio and TV organisation of the communist countries in Eastern Europe. In so doing a single broadcasting organisation was formed, spanning west and east. From the original 23 founder members, the EBU has today grown to 115 members in 78 countries, which makes it the largest professional association of national broadcasters. Amongst the 115 members, 63 are active members in 48 countries and 52 associate members in 30 countries.
- 1994
- EBU has embarked on an important and profound process of reorganisation. It was a policy of active commercialisation of EBU's network that was aimed to simplify and speed the decision-making process, and which had the effect of alleviating the financial burden of EBU members.
- 1995
- The reorganization process was completed at the end of 1995 - beginning of 1996. Activities are now refocused on three objectives: professional association (documentation and information, forecasts on the audiovisual environment, lobbying, communication), operations (transmission network, acquisition of sports rights, programme exchanges) and study and development (programme coproductions, general interest projects). In this process EBU's committees (radio, television, technical) reporting to the Administrative Council were streamlined and a number of permanent working parties were abolished or given fixed objectives and limited duration. New activities, to meet the changing audiovisual climate, were launched by variable-geometry project groups, in other words, groups involving only broadcasters taking part in specific projects. As a result of this reorganisation the EBU's activities in the professional association, study and development sectors are now funded by fixed membership fees and operational activities (Euroradio, Eurovision) are now self-financing.
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