Broadcasters Want Smart TV Platforms Labeled EU Gatekeepers
Canal+, ITV, Sky push EU to bring smart TV operating systems under DMA gatekeeper rules.
A coalition of major broadcasters including Canal+, ITV, and Sky is pressing the EU to classify smart TV operating systems as gatekeepers under the DMA. The targets: Android TV, Amazon Fire OS, and similar platforms controlling what viewers see on their screens.
The broadcasters want Google, Amazon, Apple, and Samsung's smart TV platforms — along with their virtual assistants — brought under the regulation's scope. The argument is straightforward: these companies sit between content creators and audiences, wielding enormous power over distribution and discovery.
Smart TVs have become the default way millions access entertainment. The companies building their operating systems effectively control the front door. Broadcasters clearly think that door needs regulatory oversight.
If the EU agrees, these tech giants would face stricter obligations around fairness, interoperability, and access on the television platform.