INFORMATION SOCIETY: BELGACOM TO CHANGE THE BELGIAN AUDIOVISUAL LANDSCAPE.

• Position: Brief Article

Assuming that the granting of these rights receives the green light from the Belgian competition authorities, who have opened an enquiry into the adjudication procedure, Belgian telespectators habits will be dramatically affected. Belgacom is effectively breaking the monopoly of cable distribution companies who until now have been practically alone in deciding the choice of programmes and television channels offered in Belgium. Belgacom intends to launch Belgacom TV, a digital television available only via an ADSL telephone line, before the end of June. Should the project go ahead, the Belgian football championship matches will only be available to Belgacom subscribers, whereas they are currently screened on channels widely available in Belgian households.

Belgacom, telecommunications operator and internet service provider (hence soon television via ADSL), does not yet however have the human resources or technical means of transmitting football images and will therefore need to enter into partnerships. In Flanders, Belgacom...