Altough the broadcaster remains tight-lipped about such a move, the BBC is reportedly looking for a European base of operations post-Brexit.
“The BBC is planning, given Brexit, to open a major base on the continent,” a Belgian government source told AFP, confirming press reports.
“The prime minister met BBC managers yesterday in Davos to sell them on Belgium. We know we’re on the shortlist. There are two more, including Amsterdam.”
Belgian prime minister Charles Michel is at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he spoke with BBC Director General Tony Hall.
“Belgium is often on the shortlist of companies eager to anchor in the European Union after Brexit,” Michel said.
In a related development, the Brussels Capital Region has set out to attract UK-based media, broadcasters and creative organisations to ensure access to European markets following Brexit
Backed by the Brussels’ regional government, regional trade associations and industry bodies, the initiative aims to bring UK-based businesses to the Brussels Capital Region and help them secure the future of their European operations.
EU funding schemes such as Creative Europe play a critical role in supporting the creative industries and, depending on the shape of the final relationship with the EU, UK businesses may lose access to this funding without a base in the EU. They will need to co-locate themselves in the EU if they are to continue to access these benefits.
