There has been a boom in the consumption of audio-visual content since the beginning of the pandemic. This could change the future of the TV and entertainment industry forever, and we still don’t know if people will go back to their old habits after restrictions are over. We can expect the sector to keep growing, which presents a prime opportunity for EU businesses that want to get in the field. The only issue is that they have a very tough regulatory landscape to navigate, especially if they intend to broadcast their content outside the EU’s borders. Here’s what all EU businesses should know about launching their TV channels internationally.
Regulations More Lax for Streaming Services
For anyone thinking of entering the field, they should know that the barrier to entry for starting a traditional TV channel locally, let alone internationally, is much tougher than for VOD or streaming services. This makes streaming services a much more realistic option for those who may not have the time or resources that it would take to get a TV channel off the ground.
How Can EU Businesses Start their Own Streaming Service?
It’s not as complex as many may think. The first thing you should do if you want to start a service is look at your options. One common option is to start an OTT channel. An OTT channel will allow you to stream directly from your platform without using a third-party service.
If you want to know how to start an OTT platform, you can work with a team like Red Bee Media. They handle everything from content delivery to granular analytics. You’ll have your own professional channel that you will be able to serve on all devices. You’ll also be able to collect subscriptions or create pay-per-view events among other things.
Changes to Regulation
However, you have to know that even if it’s generally easier to start an OTT service, there are still some regulations you will have to follow. New rules were introduced in September 2020 to deal with the competition of OTT platforms like Netflix. These new rules are there to make the playing field more even for TV companies who now have to compete with services that can offer much better deals to clients. For instance, the definition of a “programme” is no longer limited to television-like services. This could have far-reaching consequences, especially for those who want to move from a traditional platform to an OTT one.
The new definition is more dynamic, which will allow it to fit different media formats that may come in the future. If a broadcaster decides to provide content through a streaming platform, then the new definition means that the content that is streamed will also fall under general media regulations.
Challenges for New Chanel Creators
As a new channel creator, you will have many challenges to face. The first will be to make sure that you have an embedded audience. The next is making sure that you have strong market research backing your idea. Once everything is in place, you can start looking at building your online presence either through a small channel on YouTube or Facebook and build traction. From there, you can make your channel official if there is significant interest in it.
EU businesses will have to be prepared to abide by a new set of rules if they want to start a channel and distribute it internationally. This is why you must get all the information needed before getting started so you can avoid any fines.
