Archive notice: This article was originally published on October 9, 2007. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
State Chancellery chief Martin Stadelmaier said this on Monday in Mainz. This concerns, for example, the planned bundling of almost 50 ARD radio channels on a central portal. Because this would create an «incomparably higher density of offerings» than before, it must be examined
whether the offering thereby does not acquire a new quality. ARD spokesperson Peter Meyer said on this: «We are somewhat surprised by the statements.»
ARD is now seeking a discussion with Stadelmaier and will not comment further on the subject beforehand. According to Stadelmaier, a discussion with the ARD chair, SR director Fritz Raff, is planned for next week. Private broadcasters see a distortion of competition in the «media library». Raff had recently said that the «media library» was not intended to offer a completely new service, but to bundle what was already offered on the websites of the nine ARD institutions. It was undisputed that ARD was allowed to offer programmes for free download for at least one week after broadcast. The offering is to come this year. The Broadcasting Council of Südwestrundfunk, which is responsible for ARD’s Internet presence, had recently approved it.
«We have a certain need for explanation,» Stadelmaier said with a view to the planned bundling of the radio programmes. He wanted to know what it would mean for the music market if the broadcasters were linked in this way. Stadelmaier also spoke out in favor of obtaining the opinion of the private broadcasters on the «media library». «With projects of this magnitude, it is part of the process to present things correctly and hear a third party.» It was «not sufficient» to regard general public statements by third parties as a hearing. The Association of Private Broadcasting and Telemedia (VPRT) had recently accused ARD of replacing the public consultation of private broadcasting with «a compilation of general press statements».
ARD thereby documented that it was not prepared to adhere to the compromise reached between the states and the EU on approving new fee-financed offerings. A central element of the test agreed for this purpose was the involvement of market participants, that is, private competitors and the public. «The institutions have difficulty with something that the public sector practices daily: conducting a hearing,» Stadelmaier said. He added: «We will have things explained to us in discussions and will form an opinion.» When the new state treaty comes into force in May 2009, the «media library» will be examined for its compatibility. «Then the proof of the pudding will be made.»
