In a joint statement addressed to the European Commission EVP Teresa Ribera, broadcasting associations have called for urgent action under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to address the growing gatekeeping role of virtual assistants and connected TV operating systems.
While virtual assistants are already listed as core platform services under the DMA, none have been designated so far, creating a regulatory gap. With the rapid integration of AI, these virtual assistants are increasingly becoming key entry points to media content across smartphones, smart speakers and in-car infotainment systems.
For radio, this development is particularly critical. As audiences access radio and audio through voice commands, virtual assistants can effectively control which content is found, prioritised or excluded altogether. Without DMA obligations, this risks limiting fair access, reducing discoverability and undermining media pluralism.
Broadcasters therefore urge the Commission to act swiftly: designate major virtual assistant providers as gatekeepers, launch a market investigation if thresholds are not met, and clarify the definition of business users to reflect real market dependencies.
With AI-driven interfaces reshaping how audiences access content, ensuring fair and open access through virtual assistants is becoming an urgent priority for the future of radio in Europe.
Signatories (in alphabetical order)
- Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe (ACT)
- Association of European Radios (AER)
- Asociace komerčních televizí (AKTV)
- Slovak Television Broadcasters’ Association (ATVS)
- Asociația Română de Comunicații Audiovizuale (ARCA)
- Confindustria Radio Televisioni (CRTV)
- European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
- European association of television and radio sales houses (egta)
- Televisión Comercial en Abierto (UTECA)
- Verband Privater Medien (VAUNET)
- Verband Österreichischer Privatsender (VOP)
Read the joint letter here.
For more information, please contact the AER office in Brussels at aer(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org.