Europe opens up online pay-TV subscriptions
Europe opens up online pay-TV subscriptions
From Sunday 1 April it will be possible for European citizens to access online content wherever they are in the EU.
It means an end to geo-blocking, where content was blocked when trying to watch it in another EU country The new rules will allow viewers to access online pay-TV subscriptions to Canal+, Sky Sports, Netflix, etc with them when on business or on holiday.
Note that this applies “when on business or on holiday”. ie the services will have a time limit of so many days when you can access that content. Like it says, it is designed to benefit holidaymakers, not expats.
The rules apply to online subscriptions and not the reception of encrypted channels by satellite.
In a joint statement, European Commission Vice-President Andrus Ansip, Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, Bulgarian Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Ivaylo Moskovski and Members of the European Parliament Pavel Svoboda and Jean-Marie Cavada explained that the rules applied to paid-for-services, but providers of free content would be able to opt in.
“Removing the boundaries that prevented Europeans from travelling with digital media and content subscriptions is yet another success of the Digital Single Market for our citizens, following the effective abolition of roaming charges that consumers all over Europe have enjoyed since June 2017.”
The Regulation on cross-border portability of online content services in the internal market (June 2017), also known as the portability regulation, enables consumers to access their portable online content services when they travel in the EU in the same way they access them at home.
However, not everyone is happy with the new rules. The Federation of German Consumer Organisations has criticised the fact that free-to-air broadcasters are not compelled to follow the directive, while the movie industry fears it will erode their ability to sell titles on a market-by-market basis.
The EU estimates that at least 29 million people, or 5.7% of consumers in the EU, could make use of cross-border portability, and many more in the future – up to 72 million people by 2020.
Examples of ‘struggles’ resolved by the new rules
A Swedish subscriber trying to watch their favourite TV series using his Home Box Office (HBO) Nordic account when on holiday in Italy can now enjoy the service as if he was in Sweden, instead of seeing a message saying that the service «is only available in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland».
A French user of the MyTF1 film and series service is now able to rent a new film while on a business trip to the UK, instead of seeing a message that such uses are not possible due to licensing issues.
A Belgian student travelling from Brussels to Berlin on a night bus can buy and watch a film from UniversCiné.
A German businessman can watch his favourite football finale on his Sky Sports account while on a business trip in Spain.Source: European Commission
In relation to Sky UK, this appeared on an internet forum, supposedly from a Sky representative:
“Since 26th March, you can view Sky content abroad in the same way you normally enjoy your Sky TV subscription channels when outside of your home, using your favourite Sky apps on a laptop, tablet or mobile device.
You can stream Live TV and On Demand content for up to 37 days in any EU member country, then you need to connect back up in the UK/ROI, otherwise we will block viewing on the app, but then you will be free to view in an EU member country for a further 37 days, and so on.
You can use the following Sky Apps, as you would at home in the UK and ROI Sky Go, Sky Q, Sky Kids, Sky Sports, Sky Sports Mobile TV, Sky Cinema & Now TV.”
So these new rules do not remove all blocks, impose a time limit they can be used for, and do not apply to “Sky On Demand” on Sky+HD digiboxes.
It is unknown how Brexit will apply to these rules, as these rules are for EU countries, and unless the UK adopts the rules, then these changes may be short lived for UK based paid streaming services (in a similar way to how the EU rules on mobile phone roaming may be affected by Brexit)
Further information from an email from Sky:
Streaming Sky content in the EU
As a Sky customer, from 1 April, 2018 you can watch our great content throughout the EU using any compatible portable device (see our Supported apps section below).
To view in the EU, you don’t need to do anything differently, there are no additional steps or requirements, simply watch the shows you want as you would when at home.
We just need to know that you remain a resident of the UK or Republic of Ireland and are only in the EU on a temporary basis. You can confirm this by viewing content on one of your supported devices when you’re back at home.
Don’t worry, if you forget, we’ll send you an email reminder to view in the UK or Republic of Ireland so you can continue to enjoy our content when you’re next in the EU.
FAQs
How do I view Sky content when abroad?
You can view Sky content abroad in the same way you normally enjoy your Sky TV subscription channels when outside of your home, using your preferred Sky apps on a laptop, tablet or mobile device. However, there are a few things to bear in mind:
Be sure you’re attempting to view within participating EU territories by checking our country listing below.
If you’ve previously used the streaming service in the EU, make sure you’ve subsequently confirmed your residency in the UK or Republic of Ireland by streaming when back at home.
When you stream content in a participating EU territory, there will be no difference to the quality of the stream you receive when compared to streaming at home. The service will however be dependent on your Wi-Fi connection or mobile data speed/availability in that EU territory and these factors are out of the control of Sky.
Why am I unable to view Sky content abroad?
There are two reasons why you may not be able to access Sky content:
If you’ve been watching Sky content in the EU but haven’t viewed content at home in the previous 37 days, we’ll need to verify that you’re still a resident of the UK or Republic of Ireland. After 30 days of viewing content abroad, you should have received an email from us asking you to stream content on one of your devices at home within 7 days to confirm that you’re still a UK or Irish resident.
Fix: Stream content on any of your portable devices in the UK or Republic of Ireland to re-enable viewing within the EU.
You won’t be able to access Sky content when outside of the EU. You’ll need to ensure you’re watching whilst in a participating EU territory, a full list can be found in our Countries where viewing is available section.
If you’re visiting a country outside of the EU and want to watch Sky content when you’re there, you’ll need to download content to your device before you go in order to continue enjoying your favourite Sky shows whilst away.
Countries where viewing is available
The following is a list of EU territories where you’re permitted to stream and watch Sky content:
Austria
Azores (Portugal)
Balearic Islands (Spain)
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Canary Islands (Spain)
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
French Guiana (France)
Germany
Gibraltar (UK)
Greece
Guadeloupe (France)
Hungary
Ireland (Republic of)
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madeira (Portugal)
Malta
Martinique (France)
Mayotte (France)
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Réunion (France)
Romania
Saint Martin (France)
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom (excluding Channel Islands/Isle of Man)
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The following apps will allow the streaming of Sky content from inside participating EU territories:
Sky Go
Sky Q
Sky Sports
Sky Sports Mobile TV
Sky Kids
Sky Cinema
Looks like it will only be for a year, as it is NOT going to be available to UK users after Brexit. “UK subscribers will only benefit from the new rules up until Brexit. It’s been confirmed that after March 2019 the portability rules will no longer apply to UK subscribers.