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Dialogic evaluated the Event List for the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science. The evaluation report was recently published and sent as an attachment to the Media Budget Letter 2024 to the Second Chamber. The media budget letter includes the following passage about this research:
"In the Media Law, it is stipulated that sports and cultural events of significant importance to society must be broadcast on an open television programme channel. Like other EU member states, the Netherlands has a list of events of significant importance to society, the so-called event list. Following a commitment to your Chamber, research firm Dialogic conducted a study to evaluate the event list for sports and cultural events (referred to as the event list). This evaluation also considered the issue of accessibility and whether the definition of an open network is still appropriate in this day and age. The research took place between July and October 2023.
In this study, the origins, development, and changes to the event list were first mapped out with a focus on the Dutch context and included a European comparison. The effectiveness and effects of the event list for sports and cultural activities in practice were also further analysed and assessed for the period 2013-2022 (ex-post evaluation). Additionally, the general viewership was consulted through a panel survey, and trends in viewership of events listed on the event list were further examined.
The main effect of the event list is that events listed are protected from being placed behind paywalls, according to Dialogic. The list thus prevents exclusive and thereby limited distribution of events. However, the event list also has a price-dampening effect on broadcasting 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 questioned by stakeholders. However, it is clear that there is a need for 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 to it are appropriate, as the current definition no longer aligns with the current state of technology, market developments, and changing viewing habits. Dialogic puts forward four (policy) options, with some options giving a greater role to 'online viewing' alongside traditional TV subscriptions. Recently, the Media Authority also provided clarification on the distribution of events via an 'open television programme channel'. The Authority states that the viewer's interest comes first: as many people as possible should be able to watch the event broadcast easily. However, the Authority retrospectively verifies whether the media institution complies with the obligations.
As an attachment to this letter, I am sending you the Dialogic report. A more comprehensive policy response and next steps will be left to the next government."
