89/337/EEC: Council Decision of 27 April 1989 on high- definition television

COUNCIL DECISION of 27 April 1989 on high-definition television (89/337/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas high-definition television (HDTV) is of strategic importance for the European consumer electronics industry and for the European television and film industries;
Whereas a single world standard for the origination and exchange of HDTV programmes and films is urgently required;
Whereas European industry has developed, within the Eureka framework, a suitable proposal for such a single world production standard;
Whereas prototype equipment built to this standard was successfully demonstrated at the International Broadcasting Convention in September 1988 at Brighton;
Whereas 1992 may be set as a target date for the launch of commercial equipment on the market and the beginning of operational HDTV services;
Whereas the success of the launch of commercial HDTV will depend not only on the availability of appropriate hardware but also on the European film and television production industry achieving the necessary capability and experience;
Whereas a substantial promotion campaign needs to be launched immediately to prepare professional users and the general television viewing public for such a launch;
Whereas relevant decision-makers and other concerned parties should also be kept fully aware of developments relating to European HDTV;
Whereas there is an urgent requirement to prepare a strategy and action plan for the launch of Europe-wide HDTV services;
Whereas it is of great importance that all Member States participate in these activities;
Whereas these initiatives should lead to closer cooperation at Community level between industry (the consumer and professional electronics industry and the film and television production industry) and service providers (terrestrial broadcasters,  satellite television stations, cable operators and cinema distributors);
Whereas the Treaty does not provide, for the action concerned, powers other then those of Article 235,