European Broadcasting Service history

The European Commission’s satellite information service, Europe by Satellite (EbS), began broadcasting on Monday, 4 September 1995. EbS forms part of the Commission’s ongoing policy to promote greater openness and transparency. The service is available to local, regional, and national television broadcasters within the European Union, the Mediterranean region, and Central and Eastern Europe, as well as to national and regional EU institutions. Live coverage of events is complemented by relevant thematic video footage with an international sound track, transmitted the day before the event concerned. Supplementary information is provided via teletext, e-mail, and fax.

On 14 October 1996, new facilities for TV and radio production of the European Commission were inaugurated in the Breydel building in the presence of Marcelino Oreja, Member of the EC in charge of Relations with the European Parliament, Relations with the Members States (Transparency, Communication and Information), Culture and Audiovisual Policy, the Office for Official Publications, Institutional Matters and Preparations for the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (in agreement with the President. He delivered a speech, outlining the importance of news coverage, considering the two forthcoming issues, the single currency and the revision of the Treaty, and the need to inform the citizens in a transparent manner. He visited the facilities with Nicole Cauchie, Head of Unit D/3 "Audiovisual Production and Studios" of the DG X "Information, Communication, Culture and Audiovisual Media" of the EC; and Martyn Jones, employee of the EC.

In 1999, the Audiovisual Services illustrated its means to assist Commissioners and journalists to communicate about Europe.

In 2001, EBS quite literally reached for the stars. EU officials spoke live to the astronaut Umberto Guidoni and NASA Shuttle Commander Kent Romiger on board the International Space Station. The moment was powerful: from a Brussels control room to low Earth orbit, Europe’s voice traveled across space. For citizens watching, it was proof that the EU’s communication channels had evolved from conference rooms to cosmic conversations.

In 2002 alongside the launch of the Euro, the common currency, and for the first time in history, part of the Commission's weekly meeting has been transmitted live on Europe by Satellite, the European Union's TV news agency.

Who would have thought that an helicopter would be required in the general moving to the newly renovated Berlaymont? In Brussels, early this morning, the two largest satellite dishes used by the European Commission's audiovisual service "Europe by Satellite" were transported separately by helicopter from top of Breydel building to top of Berlaymont, few blocks away. The option of using an helicopter was determined by the size of the two satellite dishes: diameter of respectively 2,20 and 1,80 meters. Streets in the area were blocked to car traffic during the transportation of the dishes

Celebrating 10 years of EbS and 40 years of AV Studios.

With the 2008 launch of EbS+, the EU embraced multilingual live coverage like never before. This new service expanded capacity, allowing more events to be broadcast simultaneously and giving editors extended access to raw and edited material. For journalists, this meant no more missing a press conference; for the EU, it meant faster storytelling across languages, reinforcing the Union’s commitment to openness.

During 2010, the Audiovisual service adapted its Portal by going mobile, bringing EU information to users everywhere on any mobile device.

A new radio studio

In 2014, the AV services modernized its radio studio facilities to ensure the best quality service possible.

The European Commission celebrated the 20 years of EbS and 50 years of their Audiovisual Studios

In 2018 and 2019, the Audiovisual Service modernized its studio again to be at the forefront of new production and broadcasting technologies.

EU-funded scientists have contributed to a major astronomical discovery: the capturing of the first ever image of a black hole. The discovery is the result of an international science collaboration called Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) that linked several observatories across the globe and some 200 researchers in Europe, the US and East Asia.

During fall 2019, the Audiovisual service helped the new College of Commissioners, led by Ursula von der Leyen, to build presentation messages

The Global Pandemic of COVID was a particular time for the Commission's communication. However, the Audiovisual Service helped the College of Commissioners to give prevention and progression messages, or participate in meetings throughout the pandemic.

The Master control room was full renovated by 2020-2021

On 24 January 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, participated in an event with Matthias Maurer, German astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA), via videoconference. The discussion focused on climate.

After nearly 30 years of evolution, Europe by Satellite embraced a new identity: European Broadcasting Service (EBS). EBS had matured into a modern, multi-platform broadcaster serving journalists and citizens alike.

In 2025, EBS opens a new digital chapter with the release of its next-generation portal. This platform delivers: HD live streaming & VOD, Subtitles and transcripts Lightning-fast downloads for media worldwide. It marks EBS’s transformation into a fully hybrid broadcast & digital powerhouse, turning European institutional storytelling into a truly real-time, global experience.