European Commission launches public consultation on review of EU Audiovisual Media Directive (AVMSD)

By press release dated 10 February 2026, the European Commission launched a public consultation to assess the impact the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). The AVMSD is the basis for national laws of EU Member States for audiovisual media, including traditional TV, on-demand services and video-sharing platforms.

"This review, planned in the Commission work programme for 2026, aims to simplify and adapt the audiovisual media rules to a rapidly shifting media landscape, as highlighted in the European Democracy Shield. Core priorities include streamlining advertising rules, improving the level playing field between traditional and new digital players, and strengthening the protections of minors on video-sharing platforms. Furthermore, the Commission aims to secure the prominence of media services of general interest while improving coherence with other EU laws, notably the Digital Services Act.  

The consultation is organised in four distinct pillars: scope and enforcement, audiovisual commercial communications, protection of viewers and strengthening of media diversity in the internal market."

The consultation remains open until 1 May 2026 and is available for all interested parties, including citizens, Member State authorities, companies and industry, consumer organisations, non-governmental organisations, including media freedom organisations, associations of journalists, and academic institutions.