A new report from the European Audiovisual Observatory says that the exodus of TV channels from the UK finally settled down and returned to pre-Brexit levels in 2021.
According to the latest update to the organisation’s MAVISE database of audiovisual services in 41 European countries and Morocco, the number of TV channels leaving the UK due to broadcasting restrictions brought about by Brexit has remained stable during the first part of 2022.
Many traditionally UK-based cross-border TV channels had to relocate or rely on satellite uplinks or capacity usage in order to secure continuity in their distribution outside the UK, which fell-back on the Council of Europe’s European Convention on Transfrontier Television (ECTT) post-Brexit.
Spain, The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and The Czech Republic were the main destinations for networks that chose to relocate, while Luxembourg was the first choice for broadcasters relying on satellite up-link or capacity usage, said the report.
These cross-border channels were mainly represented by transnational networks such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, Viaplay, NBC, Paramount, Antenna, SPI International, versions of Sky and BBC targeting foreign markets and international channels aimed at pan-European audiences in general.
Last year, the MAVISE report suggested some 250 broadcast licences migrated away from the UK due to Brexit.
