Media and entertainment trade union BECTU has said it has “deep concerns” that broadcasters currently operating out of the UK will move if the government reaches a no deal Brexit.
Last week the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport issued guidelines for broadcast and VoD if the no deal scenario happens.
Head of BECTU Gerry Morrissey said in response to the Brexit technical paper: “There are over 1400 channels that use the UK as a base to broadcast from and employ highly-skilled, well-paid staff.
“The Brexit technical paper on this part of the broadcasting industry will do little to reassure these workers and the companies they work for in the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario.
Morrissey said that rather than add any new detail the paper “just confirms what many broadcasters already know, that they will need a licence in at least one EU country to continue broadcasting to the 27, and will have to have a substantial business presence in the licensing country.”
“There are deep concerns that many of the roughly 700 TV channels originated in this country, but destined for consumption elsewhere, will move much of their operation into the EU. There is very little clarity on what the government intends to do to resolve this.
“Even more disappointingly there is no update on whether free movement of workers in broadcasting will continue in a no-deal scenario. This is a pressing issue that the industry has indicated as a priority and yet workers and employers are still waiting for an answer.”
