Estonia targeting potential Brexit broadcast exodus

Estonia has emerged as the latest country to target UK-based broadcasters looking for a new home in the post-Brexit world, following an initiative by Ireland in February.

Broadcasters targeting EU countries require a single ‘country of origin’ licence to operate within the Union. The UK has dominated this market in the past, but with Brexit looming, an exodus of channel providers based in London becomes ever more likely.

Estonia-based broadcast services provider Levira is this week to hold a roadshow in London targeting international TV broadcasters who need to acquire operating licences for the EU market.

Levira is working closely with the Estonian government to target UK-based broadcasters that are considering relocating. Kersti Kaljulaid, the president of the Republic of Estonia, and Indrek Saar, the minister of culture, who looks after audiovisual media as part of his portfolio, will address a seminar to be held in London on Wednesday at the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The pair will provide broadcasters with relevant information about using Estonia as a European base following Brexit.

They will be joined by Tiit Tammiste, chairman of Levira, which is working with the government to offer licensing agreements to international companies as Brexit approaches. According to Levira, Estonia will showcase opportunities and smart solutions to UK-based media service providers to overcome potential challenges which they may face in the post-Brexit media landscape.

“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,” said Saar.

Estonia is likely to face strong competition for the spoils of the Brexit fallout. Martin Shanahan, the head of Ireland’s Industrial Development Authority, said last month that he was going to start conversations with broadcasters about relocation to Dublin, while Belgium and Luxembourg are also widely believed to be actively targeting the market.