Platformization as a Structural Dimension for Public Service Media in Germany: The funk Content Network and the New Interstate Media Treaty

Abstract

As social media is constantly gaining in importance, public service media (PSM) is forced to create content that fits the environment of social media platforms (SMPs). In Germany, the content network funk by the ARD and ZDF represents a change in the thinking of PSM and policy makers. Since platformization affects PSM institutionally and structurally, German media regulators are addressing platformization in the context of the new Interstate Media Treaty. The article aims to discuss the treaty’s orientation toward digital platforms and SMPs as it attempts to subject them to the control of local state media authorities. Algorithms and data-driven content curation are policed in terms of transparency and non-discrimination, and to ensure that public value content is not marginalized. To enforce this, I would argue, the treaty has to acknowledge the importance of platformization as a structural prerequisite that enables PSM to serve its public demand.

The Digital Transformation of the Basque Public Television: New Audiences and OTTs

“…Platformization can enable PSM to fulfill their public mission in the digital age if it's formulated as a structural dimension with algorithms that ensure accessibility, plurality of opinions, content diversity, and equal opportunities for communication in the mutual relationship between the public media and their users on third-party platforms [28]. This remains to be seen, but a first regulatory step was taken by the European Union with the Audiovisual Media Services Directive in 2018.…”

“…Other European public channels have joined forces to take on the transnational streaming platforms. It is the case of The European Alliance formed by Germany's ZDF, France Télévisions and Italy's RAI, and Spain's LovesTV, which is a new HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) seven-day catch up service launched by the Spanish public RTVE and private channels Atresmedia and Mediaset [28][29][30].…”