During a recent interview, Delphine Ernotte Cunci, who serves as both the President of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and CEO of France Télévisions, offered a candid perspective on the state of European television. Speaking ahead of a keynote at Series Mania, Ernotte Cunci addressed the challenges facing public service media (PSM), the influence of streaming platforms and social media, and the importance of independent media in a time of crisis.
The exec stressed that the role of PSM is most crucial during times of crisis and uncertainty. She stated that their mission is to ‘stand by our communities’ and provide independent and trusted news. ‘This is the role of France Télévisions in this, noting that 80% of the French population engages with the pubcaster each week on either linear TV or its digital platform’. The EBU chief also believes that independent media ‘is not just a matter of cultural sovereignty or soft power, but a question of national security’.
The EBU president acknowledged the growing pressures on public broadcasters, which she noted are often political in Eastern Europe and financial in Western countries’. ‘The situation in Ukraine, where despite the war, President Zelensky has not cut funding for public television, is proof of commitment to public broadcasters.’ During a recent visit to Brussels, Ernotte Cunci advocated for support for independent public media, arguing that ‘independence is a condition for trust’.
On the topic of technological shifts, Ernotte Cunci stated that for France Télévisions, their primary ‘channel’ is now their platform, not linear TV. While linear channels remain important, she anticipates their audience will decrease ‘quite fast’. To remain relevant in a market dominated by US and Asian players, she asserted that regulation is the only way to balance that power.
When asked about artificial intelligence, Ernotte Cunci identified it as both an opportunity and a threat. She raised concerns about AI models being trained on PSM content without proper compensation or recognition. She emphasized the need for ‘proper reward and recognition of our brands’ and for sources to be quoted.
Meanwhile expressed that while current funding for original European content is ‘great’, the trend is not promising. ‘Major streamers like Netflix and Disney will not increase their investment as they prioritize profitability, while funding for public media is decreasing’. She argued that PSM should not reduce its investment in content, as ‘content, technology, and distribution will be the three main words for us in the future’. To cope with the high cost of drama production, she suggested making alliances among European pubcasters, like the European Alliance group, and forming agreements with streamers to share rewards.
Ernotte Cunci concluded mentioning the France Television supports a levy on international streamers if they invest locally in drama, citing France as a positive example where they are committed to investment. She views streamers not as primary competitors, but as ‘actors in a very competitive sector’who face their own challenges with profitability and potential future market concentration.
