Council adopts action plan for the accelerated development of the market for advanced television services
A Council Decision (93/424/EEC of 22.7.1993) on an action plan for the introduction of advanced television services in Europe has been adopted for a period to run from 22 July 1993 to 30 June 1997. This action plan is intended to ensure the accelerated development of the market for advanced television services in the 16:9 format and using 625 or 1250 scanning lines. The objectives of the plan are to achieve: - A critical mass of advanced television services in the 16:9 format; - A sufficient and increasing volume of programming in the 16:9 format, with high technical quality both in picture and sound and of such a nature as to facilitate optimum audience ratings. Community funding, together with funds from other sources, will be directed toward the achievement of these objective by means of financial incentives covering parts of the additional cost incurred by broadcasters and programme makers. The plan will contribute to market penetration by receiver equipment in the 16:9 format but no funding will be devoted to support manufacturers of receiver equipment for consumers. An annex to the present Decision presents the implementation procedures for the action plan.