Las plataformas audiovisuales de streaming y la competencia.

Abstract

The Audiovisual Streaming Platforms have proliferated and have increased the number of their users and subscribers in recent years and are expected to continue growing. They are Platforms that operate in principle in bilateral markets and that especially some of them that have relevant market shares can negatively affect the competition. In this context, it would not be enough to apply Antitrust Law if there are collusive agreements or practices or abuse of a dominant position or to control mergers.The Audiovisual Streaming Platforms have proliferated and have increased the number of their users and subscribers in recent years and are expected to continue growing. They are Platforms that operate in principle in bilateral markets and that especially some of them that have relevant market shares can negatively affect the competition. In this context, it would not be enough to apply Antitrust Law if there are collusive agreements or practices or abuse of a dominant position or to control mergers.Therefore, ex ante regulatory and protective measures must be adopted in order to avoid or, at least, mitigate the negative effects they may have on competition. This position is justified especially in the fact that these Audiovisual Streaming Platforms exhibit audiovisual works, in particular, although not only, cinema, which is part of the culture.Culture shapes our collective memory, a memory that must be adequately protected and guaranteed to be diverse and not homogeneous, which cannot be achieved without adequate protection and promotion measures.

Las plataformas audiovisuales de streaming han proliferado y el número de sus usuarios y suscriptores ha aumentado en los últimos años y se prevé que sigan creciendo. Son plataformas que operan en principio en mercados bilaterales y especialmente algunas de ellas tienen cuotas de mercado relevantes que pueden afectar negativamente a la libre competencia. En este contexto, no bastaría con aplicar el Derecho de defensa de la competencia si se producen acuerdos o prácticas colusorias o abusos de posición de dominio o con controlar las posibles operaciones de concentración empresarial. Deben adoptarse, por tanto, medidas regulatorias ex ante y de protección con el fin de evitar o, al menos, mitigar los efectos negativos que pueden tener sobre la competencia. Esta posición se ve justificada además en el hecho de estas plataformas audiovisuales de streaming exhiben obras audiovisuales, en particular, aunque no únicamente, cine, que forma parte de la cultura. La cultura conforma, en definitiva, nuestra memoria colectiva, memoria que debe protegerse adecuadamente y que debe garantizarse que sea diversa y no homogénea lo que no se logra sin unas medidas de protección y fomento adecuadas.