Europe’s leading broadcasters are urging regulators to impose stricter rules on smart TV platforms and virtual assistants operated by Google, Amazon, Apple and Samsung.
In a letter to EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera, industry groups warned of growing market concentration in content distribution and audience access.
The coalition, led by Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe, represents major media players competing for share in a highly lucrative market.
Broadcasters argue that operating systems like Android TV, Amazon Fire OS and Samsung’s Tizen now wield gatekeeper-level influence over content visibility and user engagement.
They are calling for these platforms to be classified under the Digital Markets Act, which enforces obligations on dominant digital ecosystems.
The group warned that tech companies may restrict linking between apps, keeping users within closed ecosystems and limiting fair competition across media services.
Concerns also extend to virtual assistants such as Alexa and Siri, which could increasingly control how users discover and access digital content.
Broadcasters say the absence of regulation creates a regulatory gap, urging authorities to act even if platforms fall below standard thresholds for designation.
