Are the frequencies for the content and cultural industries at risk?

The Wider Spectrum Group calls RSPG and European policy makers to ensure the long-term access to spectrum for terrestrial broadcasting and PMSE.

The Wider Spectrum Group welcomes the organization by RSPG of this workshop, where some of its members’ organizations have been kindly invited to speak (APWPT, BNE, EBU). With this statement, we would like to give also a voice to those not speaking today: to those millions of listeners, viewers or spectators who enjoy quality European audiovisual and radio content, and amazing live performances in Europe; and to those making it happen, whether enterprises or the millions of qualified professionals behind the scene.

The 470-694 MHz band is essential to secure European content creation, production, and delivery through broadcasting and PMSE, and in the end for the benefit of all users – viewers and listeners. Qualified and local employment is fostered. Moreover, the current spectrum allocation supports a democratic and safer Europe, by ensuring quality news, pluralism, and freedom of speech through trusted media, available free-to-air, and through local events and debates.

In 2014, the Lamy report made clear the link between the UHF spectrum allocation and the successful European content and cultural industry. This is still the case in 2025: 42% of European households are using DTT, a green, sovereign and cost-effective solution to deliver a universal service. Terrestrial broadcasting is the backbone of the European audiovisual industry and of European content production and exposition, which is still financed more than 74% by broadcasters. Spectrum is shared with PMSE, also essential to content creation and live performance. The AV sector and radio employ more than 500 000 people, and live performances over 1.28 M, with a major fall out on advertising, music and film production (2.5 M jobs).

On both counts of sovereignty and competitiveness, Europe can be proud of its cultural and content industry. For the foreseeable future, let us not forget that the European model relies on access to a vital resource, spectrum. We call RSPG to ensure the long-term spectrum access for Terrestrial Broadcasting and PMSE.

Read the entire statement.WSG statement for RSPG workshop