Advanced Television

Levira: Estonia to benefit from Brexit TV licensing

September 20, 2017

Digital services provider Levira sees Estonia as ideal destination for international TV broadcasters to acquire operating licences for the EU market, once Brexit will take effect, with the prospect of UK-based licences becoming void.

Martti Kinkar, Development and Project Manager of Levira, suggests that companies currently operating under Ofcom licences to broadcast television channels in the EU market might be at risk after the UK leaves the EU. Ofcom is currently the leading issuer of broadcasting licences in the EU and according to analysts, over 1,000 stations will have to acquire a new EU licence.

“Estonia’s advantages lie in its open economy, expansion of electronic services and favourable licence fees. We are running a state-of-the-art play-out centre and have the necessary regulatory framework in place. We are working closely with the Estonian government to start offering licence agreements to international companies in the coming years,” said Kinkar.

Expert Media Partners Ltd evaluated the prospects of different countries in offering licences, considering regulations, simplicity of doing business, legal framework and language barriers. Although the Netherlands holds the strongest position (80 points out of 100) according to the research, but after Ireland (78 points) Estonia will come as next (76).

According to Tiit Tammiste, Chairman of the Board of Levira, licencing television stations in Estonia represents a new opportunity for e-residency, as it allows companies to manage business documentation via remote channels.

“Estonia is a country that offers progressive business environment with efficient infrastructure. Our e-services and mobile communication and internet applications are among the most advanced in the world. Estonia’s attractiveness is demonstrated by the large number of foreign investors doing business here,” stated Tammiste.

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