Poland can block EU audiovisual platforms: what changes in 2026

Key data

If your company operates a streaming platform, a television channel, or any audiovisual service that reaches Poland from another EU Member State, this decision directly affects you. The European Commission, through Decision (EU) 2026/1924, has given the green light to the restrictions that Poland intends to impose under Article 14.1 of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (Directive 2010/13/EU).

The practical result is clear: Poland will be able to block or limit access to your services in its market with legal backing, without this constituting a breach of the European internal market. It is not a future threat: the decision entered into force on 27 July 2026.

What does this regulation establish?

The Directive 2010/13/EU, known as the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), establishes the country of origin principle: an audiovisual operator established in one Member State can broadcast freely to any other Member State under the regulation of its country of origin.

However, Article 14, paragraph 1 of that same Directive allows exceptions. A Member State may adopt restrictive measures against providers established in another Member State when it considers that their broadcasts violate:

• Rules of public policy
• Rules of protection of minors
• Other reasons of general interest recognized by Union law

For these measures to be valid, the Member State must notify them to the European Commission, which assesses their compatibility with Union law. In this case, the Commission has evaluated Poland's measures and declared them compatible. This means that Poland has the green light to apply them.

Economic and operational impact

The decision has direct consequences for foreign audiovisual operators' access to the Polish market. Poland is one of the largest media markets in Central and Eastern Europe, with a population of over 38 million people.

The specific operational implications are as follows:

• Blocking or limiting access: Affected audiovisual services may be blocked or restricted in Polish territory without the operator being able to claim a breach of the internal market.
• Obligation to adapt content: To maintain access to the Polish market, operators will need to review and, if necessary, modify content that Poland considers contrary to public policy, protection of minors, or other reasons of general interest.
• Risk of revenue loss: Restricting access implies direct loss of audience, subscribers, and therefore advertising or subscription revenue in Poland.
• Costs of legal and technical adaptation: Reviewing content catalogs, implementing geographic restrictions, or adapting broadcasts entails significant operational and legal costs.

Who does it affect?

• Streaming platforms established in any EU Member State that offer content accessible in Poland.
• Television channels that broadcast signal to Polish territory from another EU country.
• Pay television operators with cross-border distribution that includes Poland in their coverage.
• Video-on-demand (VOD) service providers with catalogs available to Polish users.
• Media groups with subsidiaries or licenses in different Member States that distribute content to Poland.
• Legal and compliance advisors for audiovisual sector companies with presence in Central and Eastern European markets.

Practical example

Imagine a streaming platform established in Spain that offers its catalog in several European countries, including Poland. Until now, it operated under the country of origin principle: it complied with Spanish regulations and that was sufficient to broadcast throughout the EU.

With Decision (EU) 2026/1924 in force since 27 July 2026, Poland can notify that platform that certain content in its catalog violates Polish rules on public policy or protection of minors, and proceed to block access to the service in Polish territory or require the removal of those specific contents. The Commission has already validated that this blocking is legal. The Spanish platform would have to choose between adapting its catalog for the Polish market or accepting the loss of that market.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you broadcast content to Poland: Check if your audiovisual service is available to users with Polish IP or if you have active distribution in that market.
2. Review your content catalog with Polish criteria: Analyze whether any of your content could be considered contrary to public policy, protection of minors, or other reasons of general interest recognized in Poland.
3. Consult with legal advisors specialized in European audiovisual law: Directive 2010/13/EU and its national application in Poland require specific legal analysis to determine which content is at risk.
4. Evaluate technical geoblocking options: If you decide not to adapt content, consider implementing geographic restrictions for the Polish market before receiving an official restriction notice.
5. Monitor the specific measures Poland adopts: The decision endorses Poland's measures, but specific restrictions will be applied case by case. Maintain active monitoring of notifications from Polish authorities.

Official source

Consult the complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601924