Television is not dead... it is in excellent health

Despite the rise of non-linear services and the push of social media, those who participated in the 13th European Digital Forum held in Lucca (Italy) agreed that television, far from being dead, is living its “golden age.”

The 13th edition of the European Digital Forum held recently at the Royal College in Lucca (Italy) was a success as it was a meeting particularly rich in ideas, reflections and initiatives at the highest level such as the UltraHD Forum Conference and presented by the vice president, David Price.

With the collaboration of Andy King (BBC), Phil Laven (DVB), Massimo Bertolotti (Sky) and Francesco Di Donato (Video Progetti), the development of Ultra High Definition was discussed, which, despite problems derived from standards and the “strategic option” to avoid failures as in 3D, confirms that channels and content are increasing, sales exceed expectations and events capture the interest of the public.

“We have to achieve important synergies at an industrial and technical level to avoid further delays in 2017 and proceed in a unique way to make 4K television a success,” admitted David Price.

4K, which was also a protagonist in Italy, as Infront, DBW and Mediaset recalled, will be even more so during the European Football Championship in 2016, thanks to the direct broadcasts organized by RAI, with the collaboration of Tivùsat and Eutelsat, which will guarantee the broadcast of the 7 final matches of the competition.

“Tivùsat is confirmed as a service available to Italian broadcasters to affirm the technological leadership of the national television industry,” said Luca Balestrieri, general director of Tivù.

Also worth highlighting are the analyzes presented by Eurodata TV, which reveal how non-linear television is growing by 7%, as well as the platforms that in recent months alone have seen the birth of more than a hundred services, also thanks to important international partnerships.

Despite this “effervescent” phenomenon and the decline of social media, for the first time since its birth, everyone agreed to declare that television is not dead and that it is living its “golden age.” Mauro Panella (Fox) Sergio Del Prete (Viacom), Giovanni Brunelli (Tim Vision) Danilo Bove (Magnolia) were unanimous in the “revelation” that television is growing in audience shares, in minutes of viewing and in interest.

Television and the media are going through an important phase in Italy and Europe, due to the debate of the Franceschini bill in the Italian Senate and the review of the Communication Services Directive proposed by the European Commission.

"We are disappointed by the Commission's proposal - commented in unison Silvia Costa (President of the Culture Committee of the European Parliament), Antonio Preto (AGCOM Commissioner) and Stefano Selli (vice president of Confindustria Radio TV). "There is a risk of invasions of non-European content or the lack of protection of national production, as well as a relaxation of advertising times, which could lead to a war between the poor."

At Lucca 2016, the need to set rules for OTT and the users who use the network became clear, as well as firmly addressing the problem of piracy that is sinking the creative industry and increasingly endangering the existence of companies that invest in employment and professional training.

Giovanni Buttarelli, European Data Protection Supervisor, concluded the European Digital Forum by recalling as “a reality the new legislation, in which on June 20 my opinion will be published, in anticipation of a dedicated event in Brussels, scheduled for September 29, and after its application, starting on May 25, 2018.” Regarding the relationship with the United States, the Supervisor has admitted that “relations are good, but Europe is not for sale.”

Alliance with CIC Media

Comunicare Digitale and CIC Media (a company based in Miami and relations with the most important networks in Latin America) have announced an alliance that will allow the creation of a Media Campus, for the training and updating of creative professionals, starting in 2017 from Lucca, with illustrious guests from the United States, Latin America and Europe.

“This very important initiative especially in view of the constitution of the 4K HUB – Andrea Michelozzi told Comunicare Digitale, which aims to be one of the most important and active platforms worldwide for UHD producers, which will see us active in the coming months, in view of the expected announcement in autumn.”

The next edition of Lucca 2017 will take place on June 15 and 16, 2017, in the halls of the Royal Collegio, with the 14th edition of the European Digital Forum, with the first meeting of the Campus Media and discussions on Europe and the media, with the presence of supervisors from the European Commission and MEPs.