UK viewers that are currently using pay-TV subscriptions purchased in another European country will no longer be able to use them once the UK leaves the European Union.
Under current legislation, UK consumers can use legitimate satellite decoder devices intended for use elsewhere in the European Union.
However, current government advice says once Brexit takes place it will be an offence to use satellite receivers intended for EU audiences to access a programme included in a broadcast made from the UK with the intent of avoiding a charge associated with the programme.
This is already the case for satellite decoder devices intended for non-EU audiences.
The premise of the legislation appears to be to stop someone subscribing to a European service in order to avoid paying a higher charge from a UK supplier. For example a premium sports event that another operator puts in basic – or even free to air – because the event is not as popular in their home country.
The UK government says viewers should instead purchase the relevant UK satellite broadcast package to view the programmes.
The change is not designed to weaken or change in any way the illegality of pirate decoders.
Full information can be found on the UK Government website.
