The Government’s White Paper on Brexit offers little clarity for the UK’s £1 billion international broadcasting sector, according to the Commercial Broadcasters Association (COBA).
The UK is home to around 650 international broadcasters that choose an Ofcom licence to broadcast to other European territories.
Under current legislation, the UK grants a broadcasting licence which is recognised by other EU Member States. But without receiporacl arrangements in place, COBA fears the broadcasters will simply move overseas, taking hundreds of jobs with them.
Adam Minns, COBA’s Executive Director, said: “This is a £1 billion, high growth sector that should be central to the future of the UK’s audio-visual sector. We remain deeply concerned that broadcasters will have to reluctantly start restructuring within the next few months, and possibly within weeks for some companies.”
Ireland, the Netherlands and Estonia have all been touted as alternative broadcast hubs.
