Evaluering af Begivenhedslisten

For Ministeriet for Uddannelse, Kultur og Videnskab evaluated Dialogic Evenementenlijst. The evaluation report has recently been published and sent as an attachment to the Mediabegrotingsbrief 2024 to the Tweede Kamer. The following passage is included in the mediabegrotingsbrief about this study: "In Mediawet, it is stipulated that sports and cultural events of significant importance to society must be broadcast on an open television program channel. Like other EU member states, the Netherlands also has a list of events of significant importance to society, the so-called Evenementenlijst. Following a commitment to your Chamber, research agency Dialogic conducted a study to evaluate the Evenementenlijst for sports and cultural events (abbreviated as Evenementenlijst). In this evaluation, the issue of accessibility was also addressed, as well as whether the definition of an open network is still suitable in this day and age. The research took place in the period from July to October 2023. In this study, the origin, development, and changes of the Event List were first mapped out with a focus on the Dutch context and also included a European comparison. The effectiveness and impact of the Event List for sports and cultural activities in practice were further analyzed and evaluated for the period 2013-2022 (ex-post evaluation). The broad viewer audience was also consulted through a panel survey, and the trends in viewing behavior towards events on the event list were further investigated. The most important effect of the event list is that events listed are protected against placement behind payment systems, according to Dialogic. The list thus prevents an exclusive and therefore limited distribution of events. However, the event list also has a price-dampening effect on broadcast rights fees. Dialogic concludes that the majority of stakeholders indicate that the event list has been effective in recent years (and since the previous evaluation). The (continued) existence of an event list is not being questioned by stakeholders. However, it is clear that there is a need for a revision of the list, both in terms of content and length, according to Dialogic. Regarding the definition of the 'open network', Dialogic recommends that adjustments are reasonable, as the definition no longer aligns with current technology, market developments, and changing viewing behavior. Dialogic presents four (policy) options in this regard, with some options emphasizing a greater role for 'online viewing' alongside the traditional TV subscription. Recently, the Commissariat also provided an explanation on the broadcast of events via an 'open television program channel'. The Commissariat states that the viewer's interest is paramount: as many people as possible should be able to watch the broadcast of the event in a user-friendly manner. However, the Commissariat retrospectively assesses whether the media institution meets its obligations. As an attachment to this letter, I am sending you the report from Dialogic. A more comprehensive policy response and the next steps are left to a subsequent cabinet."