EU legislation enabling streaming subscribers to travel within the bloc with their local libraries in tow is effective from this week.
The new portability rules enable Brits to access their normal Netflix, Amazon Prime and Spotify streaming libraries while roaming the EU.
While these services will be available beyond UK borders, the likes of Sky Go and BBC iPlayer will not due to separate licensing restrictions.
Last week the BBC confirmed to Trusted Reviews free-to-air terrestrial broadcasters would not be part of the deal.
‘Auntie’ is working on it though and perhaps Brits will be able to access Eastenders and Match of The Day around Europe in the future?
The spectre of Brexit
Sadly, all of this it might be academic within a year.
With the UK’s exit from the European Union scheduled to take place on March 29 2019, the legislation may no longer apply.
EU documents spired by Politico revealed: “As of the withdrawal date [March 29, 2019], persons residing in the United Kingdom will no longer benefit from their digital content subscriptions when travelling to the EU.
“It should be noted that the multilateral international agreements mentioned above do not provide for the same type or level of protection … as that set out today in the EU copyright acquis.”
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It may be up to the UK to strike a deal with the European countertparts in order to ensure Brits still feel the benefits of accords like this, as well as the current mobile phone roaming laws, once Brexit is official.
So it’s pretty much like everything else that applies to Brits in Europe and vice versa right now: everything that once was may ultimately cease to be. Le sigh.
After that, those Brits who were desperate to take back control of their country, may only have access to the Spanish Netflix library when sunning themselves in Tenerife.
Are you already planning your Netflix playlist for the pool this summer? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
