European streamers launch VoD Coalition

NENT Group, Sky, Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery are among the companies who have officially inaugurated the European VoD Coalition.

The organisation aims to “give a voice” to Europe’s streaming sector by engaging with policy makers and regulators on behalf of companies who invest in and distribute audiovisual content in Europe as part of their core commercial activities.

Other members of the Coalition include CHILI, FilmDoo, NBCUniversal, Nokzedoc, Paramount, Pickbox, Sooner, StarzPlay, TVN and Univerciné Belgium.

It says more Europeans watch content through streaming than any other way, with VoD subscriptions in the EU expected to reach 140 million by the end of this year.

“Streaming Video-on-Demand services such as our Viaplay service are the fastest growing and most innovative media and entertainment companies in Europe,” said Julia Maxwell, VP of regulatory and public affairs at Nordic Entertainment Group.

“We invest in sustainable and diverse content production across Europe to provide consumers with a rich variety of local and international programming. Forward-facing policy-making is required to encourage this European success story, reflect the rapid evolution of consumer preferences, and ensure continued investment by network operators in Europe’s internet delivery infrastructure. There has never been a greater demand for European storytelling or opportunity for talent and content creators to flourish.”

“Creators and content makers have a greater choice of partners than ever before through our members. Their work is reaching wider audiences, with our content being watched across the world,” added Daniel Friedlaender, director of European affairs at Sky and chair of the Coalition. “Now is the time to keep encouraging VoD companies’ investments in the region, not to over-regulate. We want to keep innovating, entering new markets and making and distributing the best content in the world.” TVB Europe