Television services from outside Ireland are having a huge impact on audiences in the country, according to new research from the EU.
In a report on the market impact of transfrontier television, which was launched today in Drogheda, it emerged that broadcasters from outside Ireland have up to 46% of the domestic audience - one of the highest in the EU.
In Luxembourg the figure is over 80%, while it is less than 1% in larger countries like the UK, France and Spain.
Today's report states that it is impossible to assess the economic impact of transfrontier television.
It also reveals the huge increase in the number of television channels available in the EU. These mushroomed from 103 in 1990 to 1,100 in 2003. Movie and sports themed channels are those showing the fastest growth.
Reacting to the report, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources said he was surprised at the scale of growth in television stations across Europe.
Dermot Ahern said this growth does have significant implications for broadcasting ministers both, in terms of safeguarding national and cultural identity as well as regulation of the market.
The Minister went on to say that the figures backed up Ireland's position that countries which receive targeted television services need to be able to regulate those broadcasters even if they are based in another country.
The report on transfrontier television was launched today on the second day of the meeting of EU broadcasting ministers.
