Media & Telecommunications

The regulatory environment is becoming increasingly complex. Navigating it successfully requires an understanding of the technology and economic models underpinning the new forms of television.

Our professional experience encompasses all aspects of a television company’s operations, from day-to-day management to major projects and developments. For example, we have advised on:

• the launch of television channels on various platforms, as well as on-demand services
• the acquisition of digital terrestrial and satellite transmission capacity
• interactive television platforms
• program production
• operations involving analogue and digital transmission networks
• the acquisition of formats and the development of television program rights
• transfers of television channels
• playout contracts
• legal aspects of the identification of viewing indices
• authorizations for the provision of audiovisual media services, network operations and the supply of electronic communications services
• positioning on a logical channel numbering (LCN) system
• televised auctions, phone-in competitions and teleshopping
• managing relationships with presenters and artists
• the protection of minors
• television advertisement and product placement regulations
• web television and IPTV
• transactional television
• broadcasting quotas and investments for community-based content and other programming requirements

Our law firm is constantly involved in high-profile consulting. Among other things, we have provided:

• consultation and assistance to various operators on all aspects of the launch and operation of digital terrestrial and satellite television channels and television channels on other platforms
• assistance in drafting and negotiating distribution contracts for satellite, cable and digital terrestrial television programs
• assistance to buyers, vendors and targets on regulatory and corporate aspects of mergers and acquisitions in the television sector
• assistance to 20% of participants – including the highest-rated participants – in the ‘beauty contest’ for the assignment of 40% of Italy’s digital terrestrial transmission capacity
• drafting and negotiation of licensing and production contracts for television programs
• assistance in obtaining television-sector authorizations
• assistance to numerous operators in relation to the assignment of positions in the LCN system for digital terrestrial television
• consultation on foreign control of television networks and assistance in the resolution of related disputes
• assistance to operators in obtaining initial authorization for experimental services on digital terrestrial television
• lobbying and information to the Italian Communications Authority (AGCOM), Parliament and the government in relation to draft legislation and regulations on television-related matters, and  documentation for public consultations initiated by AGCOM and the European Union
• assistance and consultation on interactive television, video-on-demand and web television
• advice on uplink agreements
• advice on copyright protection in relation to formats and new television content
• assistance in drafting legal documentation for television games and promotional prize competitions
• assistance to national television broadcasters in the management of repeaters and terrestrial frequencies
• assistance in drafting contracts for presenters and artists
• assistance in operations for transferring transmission systems and converting analogue transmission networks to digital
• consultation and assistance on the protection of minors and proceedings before the Italian Media and Minors Committee
• assistance in contract negotiations and within the scope of legal disputes and administrative proceedings relating to the identification of viewer indices
• consultation in defining the structure and organization of television-based auctions and phone-in television games
• assistance in litigation and proceedings before AGCOM and the Italian Competition and Markets Authority (AGCM) on access to transmission platforms, carriage of television channels, government authorizations, use of terrestrial frequencies and transmission systems