The origins of this book lie in a discussion we had one summer about the broadcasting of sporting events, and the way in which access to such broadcasting rights was affecting the broadcasting sector. During the course of this discussion, we realised that similar themes were arising as arose in other contexts, such as the quota provisions in the Television without Frontiers Directive. Further, although there were some detailed treatments of the tensions within the EU polity as regards the appropriate level, purpose and mechanisms of broadcast regulation, there were no similar treatments of the substance of broadcasting law and policy at the EU level. Moreover, the existing discussions of the area seemed rather abstract; we considered that in looking at the substance of the rules, we should consider the practical implications from the perspective of those arguably most influenced by those rules, that is, the viewers. This has meant that, in addition to providing a detailed and accurate picture of the law (admittedly one of the objectives of this book), we would analyse that law and underlying policy to identify the extent to which the needs of viewers are protected.

One of the initial questions for us related to the scope of this book. As we point out, there is no one thing within the Union as a single broadcasting policy.