The BBC is preparing to move its channel licences, in order to keep its ability to broadcast outside of the UK.
As a result of an impending no-deal Brexit, the BBC is looking at having its international channels licensed in either the Republic of Ireland or The Netherlands.
As a result of an impending no-deal Brexit, the BBC is looking at having its international channels licensed in either the Republic of Ireland or The Netherlands.
BBC's current licences issued by Ofcom are now highly likely to be no longer be valid for broadcast outside of the UK from the end of March 2019.
Many international broadcasters are now in the process of moving their regulatory bases out of London, ending London's dominance as Europe's main broadcasting hub. #Brexit
According to insider, the change is required in order for the BBC to continue broadcasting its global news channel BBC World News in EU/EEA countries as well as its family of commercially funded entertainment channels, such as BBC First, BBC Entertainment and BBC Earth.
The change in jurisdiction will guarantee the distribution of the BBC's international channels in Europe, it's unclear how Brexit will affect the official distribution of BBC One and BBC Two in both The Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.
The key question is whether it would be acceptable for the main BBC channels to be accountable to UK and foreign regulations - in both countries, the channels are carried on a number of networks as part of a commercial deal through BBC Studios, formerly BBC Worldwide.
The same problems are also encountered in reverse: French broadcaster TV5MONDE has avoided the issue by discontinuing its signal in the UK - its French license wouldn't be valid in the UK. It claimed it has listened to viewers by making its service online-only.
