EBU event supports funding for eastern Europe digitisation

Two European development banks have announced that they are prepared to invest in the digitisation of eastern European public service broadcasters.

At an EBU-led conference in Vienna, representatives from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) praised the benefits of digisiation. Laura Campbell from the EBRD’s Department of Industry Commerce and Agribusiness told attendees at the Financing digitalisation in Eastern Europe: the challenge for public service broadcasters meeting that digitisation could create new revenues streams. She said EBRD financing was available for digitisation operations that ensured the preservation of existing cultural heritage.

Also speaking at the event, EBU director general Ingrid Deltenre said that digitisation was important for democracy. She said social and economic progress would be made if archives were made accessible online and digital TV services were universal.

The meeting was created by EBU vice-president Boris Bergant under the EBU Partnership Programme. It was co-organised with the Austrian Federal Chancellery, Austrian Broadcasting (ORF), the EIB and the EBRD.