Euro media posts trade deficit
Deficit shows rapid growth
The Strasbourg-based organization made the prediction in a summary of trends in the European audiovisual industry as part of the publication of its annual Statistical Yearbook.
"On the whole the European audiovisual sector is progressing well, but the deficit in the trade balance between European Union and North America in audiovisual products is growing at a faster pace than before, going from an 11% increase in 1995 to an 18% increase in 1996,'' it said.
European audiovisual revenues from North America have risen to $623 million in 1996 from $279 million in 1990, their lowest level since 1988, it said.
But North American audiovisual earnings from European Union countries has risen every year since 1988, when they stood at $2.38 billion, to $6.28 billion in 1996, it said.
Pay-per-view services have mushroomed in Europe, with 17 pay-per-view providers giving access to some 200 channels in 1998, up from six services offering 42 channels in 1996, the EAO said.
Digital television is still in the process of taking off, with over 9 million subscribers across Europe on Jan. 1, 1998 -- including 6.3 million to BSkyB's analog service -- compared with 6.1 million digital subscribers at the beginning of 1997.
BSkyB is due to start its digital service in June.
Television advertising revenues were strong, growing 6.1% in 1996.
