The Ukrainian regulator National Council has provided some major clarifications on the country’s new media law, which comes into effect today (March 31).
In reference to providers of audiovisual services, it says that the list of foreign TV and radio organisations allowed to rebroadcast in Ukraine will be valid for six months from when the law comes into effect. During this period, providers of audiovisual services may include the packages of TV and radio channels from these organisations in their offers.
It adds that “on the territory of Ukraine, there is no restriction on the reception or retransmission of radio channels, TV channels, programme catalogues originating from countries that are members of the European Union, as well as other radio channels, TV channels, programme catalogues, the content of which meets the requirements of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television, other international treaties of Ukraine , whose binding consent was granted by the Verkhovna Rada (parliament ) of Ukraine, as well as the requirements established by the law.
The National Council goes on to say that on April 6 it will approve the list of channels that are included in the Universal Media Service.
With regards to linear audiovisual media, the regulator says that all broadcasters who held National Council licences as of March 31 will be transferred to the Register of Media Entities. Entities that carry out broadcasting without using the radio frequency spectrum and have a broadcasting license acquire the status of registrants.
With nonlinear audiovisual media, all providers of such services carrying out their activities before the law comes into effect will have to be registered, without the payment of a fee. Those wishing to start offering such services will have to register and pay a fee.
However, “requirements of the Law apply to all providers of audiovisual services regardless of the type of program distribution technology and regardless of the presence or absence of a license issued under the Law of Ukraine “On Television and Radio Broadcasting” or registration in accordance with the Law “On Media”.
