UK broadcasters and publishers oppose ‘BBC blackout’ of coronation footage
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ritish publishers and broadcasters together with GB News and TalkTV have stated they’re “deeply concerned” by what they name a “restricting” of entry to pool video footage of the coronation by the BBC.
The corporations, together with trade physique News Media Association and native news video service Local TV, have issued an announcement which stated the BBC is “denying UK citizens the opportunity to enjoy this event of major public interest and national importance on the platform of their choice”.
Opposing the “BBC blackout”, a joint assertion learn: “Given the historic significance of the occasion, all efforts should have been made by the BBC to ensure that the footage – which is created using licence fee payer money – is distributed as widely as possible to allow UK citizens to witness this event, and the BBC has not fulfilled this obligation.
“The decision to charge UK media companies an excessive commercial fee (with no visibility of true costs) seems perverse when the BBC is allowing foreign publishers and broadcasters the same footage for free.
“These foreign broadcasters and publishers will be allowed to stream or broadcast footage in the UK despite restrictions on UK media.
“The BBC (together with Sky and ITN) has repeatedly delayed and prevaricated on this issue since the death of Queen Elizabeth in September last year in an anti-competitive manner.”
The assertion additionally stated the BBC should “urgently reconsider” its place and permit all members of the British public who wish to watch the coronation “the choice to access the event where they wish to do so”.
The BBC has been contacted for remark.