Embarking to a roadshow in London, digital services provider Levira will target international TV broadcasters who need to acquire operating licences for the EU market, once Brexit will take effect and UK-based licences will become void. The company sees the Baltic country as an ideal destination for movers and shakers in TV services.
“Estonia’s advantages lie in its open economy, penetration of electronic services, available infrastructure and favourable licence fees. Levira is running a state-of-the-art play-out centre and pan-European Media Distribution Network dedicated for linear services. Furthermore, Estonia has necessary regulatory framework in place,” said Martti Kinkar, Media Services Development Manager of Levira.
According to Tiit Tammiste, Chairman of the Board of Levira, the company is working closely with the Estonian government to start offering licence agreements to international companies in the coming years.
On Wednesday, 28 March 2018, Mr. Tammiste will speak in London in a business seminar for broadcasting companies based in the UK. In the seminar, Estonia will be showcasing opportunities and smart solutions to UK-based media service providers to overcome potential challenges which they may face in the post-Brexit media landscape.
The event’s opening remarks will be delivered by Kersti Kaljulaid, the President of the Republic of Estonia, and Indrek Saar, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Estonia, who curates audio visual media in the Estonian government. The seminar, hosted by the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will provide broadcasters with all relevant information about using Estonia as a European base following Brexit.
Indrek Saar, Minister of Culture of the Republic Estonia said: “Estonia is offering a warm welcome along with a clear message to the international media companies currently based in the UK who are considering their post-Brexit position: our door is open to broadcasters along with the cutting-edge digital solutions as well as a dynamic business environment.”
From Levira, Indrek Lepp, Head of Media Services, and Tommy Kardman, Senior Sales Director of Media Services, will join Tammiste and Kinkar in the UK visit.
The companies currently operating under the British Ofcom licences to broadcast television channels in the EU market might be at risk after the UK will leave 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.
Expert Media Partners Ltd evaluated the prospects of different countries in offering licenses, 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).
