Telmicro Levante

[Mick94]

BBC and Sky deny transmission rights in Spain

This from this week's Costa Blanca News (might be of interest to some people - I gave up TV a few months ago) - full copyright to this held by the Costa Blanca News edition 1786 Aug. 29 - Sept. 4

BBC and Sky deny transmission rights in Spain

By Dave Jones

THE BBC told CB News this week that no company based in Spain has a licence to show its public service channels.

They stated that it is illegal to rebroadcast these channels in Spain without a licence from them.

The BBC and Sky have both told CB News that companies that do this are breaking copyright laws.

A spokesman for the BBC explained this week that the BBC’s public service channels –BBC1, BBC2 and the digital channels – are produced for broadcast in the UK only.

He added that although European law allows channels that are broadcast in an EEA (European Economic Area) country to be licensed for cable redistribution in another EEA country, the BBC only currently licenses cable redistribution in the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

“The BBC’s public service channels are not licensed for broadcast in any other countries,” the spokesman added.

“Our international news channel, BBC World News is distributed in Spain.

“BBC Worldwide’s international general entertainment channel, BBC Prime, is licensed directly to individual subscribers in Spain but is not currently licensed to a cable, satellite or other platform.”

But he added that cable operators in Spain could come to an agreement with the BBC, as they have done in the Benelux countries.
He continued: “If a cable operator wishes to redistribute the BBC’s channels it must enter into a licence with the BBC and other underlying rights holders.

“The BBC can choose whether or not to license the BBC’s public service channels for redistribution in this way.”

BskyB has already stated that it is illegal to receive its programmes in Spain.

A spokesman said: “We authorise the reception of Sky TV in the UK and Ireland only.

“Our terms and conditions expressly prohibit reception elsewhere in Europe.”

BBC Prime clients can use their own equipment to view English programmes with more information available at BBC Prime - select a country
It is an encrypted channel and customers need to buy a subscription to receive a smart card which enables them to receive up to 50 channels with BBC Prime being just one of them.

A BBC Prime spokesman added: “Live coverage or highlights of sporting events is not something that BBC Prime includes in its schedules.
“We do not have international transmission rights to the action.
“International rights to the pictures have to be bought on the open market and payment made for European or global transmission.
“Often the international rights are held by a number of different channels with exclusivity clauses for their territory, and so are unavailable to us.”

Also this week the Guardia Civil revealed that the investigation into Costa Blanca rebroadcasting company Telmicro Levante SL remains ongoing.

A Guardia Civil spokesman in Alicante said: “We cannot give any information about the investigation.

“The judge must establish when the investigation is finished and when we are allowed to give information.

“Clients interested in getting information must go to Torrevieja’s court.
“They can present a formal complaint if they have a contract signed with Telmicro and they feel the contract has been broken.

“The judge would then decide whether the complaint is accepted or not and which crime if any the company might have committed.”

djones@cbnews.es

[Warrior]

I don´t understand how Sky can dictate what is legal and what is illegal here in Spain.
What may be illegal in the UK is not necessarily illegal over here.
If they transmit from a satelite and an enterprising Spaniard has a Skybox and card then I don´t see how they can stop him rebroadcasting.

[Chrisdee]

I don´t understand how Sky can dictate what is legal and what is illegal here in Spain.
What may be illegal in the UK is not necessarily illegal over here.
If they transmit from a satelite and an enterprising Spaniard has a Skybox and card then I don´t see how they can stop him rebroadcasting.

I think it's because you can only get your card sent to an English or Eire address and the contract states you can only view in England and Eire, so if you have signed it you agree to this. Don't think we will ever hear the last of this one.

[Mikea]

Sunshinegal...I agree with you completely regarding the re-broadcast by Telmicro of channels that they will legally have rights to transmit. I am going to be very interested to see what these channels are?

Skytvinspain...clearly you have your views and you are welcome to them...I assume by the way that your Spanish Lawyer is well versed in International Communications Law...a very specialised subject and one that is found few and far between in normal Law Firms...Also, the TVWF and amendments has I believe still not passed into the European Legal Statutes as accepted by the member countries. Further, I have been speaking with the relevant guys at BSkyB this afternoon on other matters but I raised your points...and they nearly fell off their chairs laughing but did ask if you would like to provide them with a list of names and addresses of people using their products in Spain!!! They also suggested that you write to Canal+, Digital+, TVE etc and tell them what you are doing and that you think it's legal...I'll let you work out what the probable conclusion would be...

[tangobrian]

I don´t understand how Sky can dictate what is legal and what is illegal here in Spain.
What may be illegal in the UK is not necessarily illegal over here.
If they transmit from a satelite and an enterprising Spaniard has a Skybox and card then I don´t see how they can stop him rebroadcasting.

It's because Spain and the UK are both members of the E.U !!!

Eventually , every country who are signed up to the E.U. will have the same laws , tax systems, employment laws , pensions , etc.
That's what Brussels wants ...... The Federal state of Europe.
Haven't you noticed how much Brussels dictates to the U.K already .
Fishing , Agriculture are examples of E.U power to decide what we do.
Television is an "easy peasy " thing to control as and when they decide to do.
Looks like they have decided !!!!!!!!!

[paulc307]

if i buy a uk tv with built in freeview, will i be able to use it here with the correct sized dish (which i understand to be a minimum 1.8 mtrs) ?

[GAL]

TV

If your TV is new/fairly new it should work

[Mikea]

skytvinspain

"Who did you speak to at SKY? and are you negotiating with SKY to re-broadcast channels on a Telmicro style platform?"

A clue could be in past postings!...

but maybe I'm seeking a reward for all the 'legal' sky installers in Spain that I report back to Sky...

[J J]

Once it develops into personal abuse. BEWARE!

[patoc]

Frankly ,after the initial supply of useful infomation, this SKY legitimacy debate is getting a little tiresome !! We all know what our options are by now and it all boils down to personal choice. If you stick with MMDS or move onto a large satellite with SKY/Freesat you know what you are getting and that there are some inherent risks. If you want to wait around for a future EL-TEL all-legal solution the again the choice is yours. So let's put this debate to bed eh !!!!

[Chrisdee]

Frankly ,after the initial supply of useful infomation, this SKY legitimacy debate is getting a little tiresome !! We all know what our options are by now and it all boils down to personal choice. If you stick with MMDS or move onto a large satellite with SKY/Freesat you know what you are getting and that there are some inherent risks. If you want to wait around for a future EL-TEL all-legal solution the again the choice is yours. So let's put this debate to bed eh !!!!

Y E A H !!! Best reply of the fortnight

[Britbuild]

Y E A H !!! Best reply of the fortnight

Gotta agree. I never realised just how many "unqualified" keyboard lawyers there were on here

[paulc307]

dear sky tv in spain

who knows who is watchin what and where you are picking up a satellite signal which is not "hard wired" , same as listening to a radio ?? isn't it ??

[Mikea]

[B]You are one sick pup! What have you got against your fellow countrymen and women watching sky tv in spain?[/B]

Nearly correct...I am sick...sick of people being taken for fools! and the sooner that my 'fellow countrymen' are able to rest easy knowing that their needs are being provided in a legitimate and long lasting manner the better it will be for all!

Now as someone has said in a recent posting, enough is enough and therefore that is the end of my postings upon this thread!

[Mick94]

In the 14 years I have been here, I have seen so much good money thrown after bad that I must agree with the last post. The desire to watch English language TV has absorved some people's budgets and at the end of the day, they have little or nothing to show for it. It really is high time for this issue to be properly and legally resolved, whether the issues be a matter of law or civil contract. Is this really too much to ask ? Why do/are ex-pats required to live by their wits all the time at the hands of less than scrupulous companies ?