The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has published details on how rules for broadcasters and providers of video on-demand services will change after the Brexit transition period.
The publication came ahead of prime minister Boris Johnson’s statement warning the UK to prepare for a ‘No Deal’ Brexit.
From 1 January 2021, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and the country of origin principle will no longer apply to services under UK jurisdiction broadcast into the EU.
However, the European Convention on Transfrontier Television (ECTT) framework will still apply. It means the 20 EU countries that have signed up to ECTT must allow freedom of reception to services under UK jurisdiction. The UK must also permit freedom of reception for services that originate from all countries that are party to the ECTT.
However, services that are from countries that have not signed and ratified the ECTT will need a licence from Ofcom to continue to be received in the UK. The countries concerned are Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Sweden.
Channels broadcast from Ireland including TG4, RTÉ1 and RTÉ2 will continue to be broadcast under the commitments of the Good Friday agreement.
The ECTT does not provide for freedom of reception for video on-demand services, which will need to comply with AVMSD jurisdiction rules.
Works originating in the UK will continue to be classed as European Works from 1 January 2021.