COBA issues Brexit warning

The head of the UK’s Commercial Broadcasters Association (COBA) has demanded more urgency over Brexit as concerns grow about whether TV operators based in the country need to relocate.

Adam Minns

Adam Minns, executive director of COBA, the trade association for UK multi-channel broadcasters and on-demand services, said the future remains as uncertain as ever for the domestic entertainment industry as Brexit talks continue.

“We have made progress and broadcasting has become part of the agenda and framework for trade discussions, but my concerns are now two-fold,” said Minns. “I’m not sure people really get the urgency of this; no one is going to wait until March 2019 to decide if they will relocate.”

Minns was speaking at a Brexit strategy discussion and networking event held by informitv and Media Summits in London. He said it would take companies six to nine months to relocate, so significant preparation would be needed.

“We really need to see some clarity on the transition agreement soon so that the process can slow down and people can wait and see what happens at the trade discussions before making the move,” added Minns.

“The second point is that it’s going to be such a long and winding road during the discussions. Despite now being on the government’s agenda, who knows what deal will come back from the EU and whether it will be good enough? We’re still going to need the UK government to dig in and fight hard for a good deal for broadcasters.”

Vince Cable, leader of the UK’s Liberal Democrat party, also appeared at the event last night and echoed Minns’ worries about talks rumbling on.

Cable said the government has started to recognise the contribution made by the creative industries in the UK but more needs to be done to push it higher up the agenda.

“The big question is how we make the creative industries more the centre of attention,” said the MP. “The manufacturing industry has an emotive ring to it and this feeling of authenticity. It is real and important, but the broadcast industry rarely gets a look in in the public debate.”

He compared the industry to financial services, which has also been devalued throughout the Brexit process.

“There is an issue about the broadcast industry, which is rapidly growing and very important but not currently registering in the debate,” added Cable. “From my point of view, there are three points that need to be considered. There is potentially a serious country-of-origin problem, the second is movement of labour and the third is the digital single market.”

Cable said he had so far been informed that broadcasters such as Discovery and Fox are reconsidering their positions in the UK ahead of a trade deal being agreed.

“It’s unlikely that this will be resolved in the autumn. It’s one of those cans that will be kicked down the road,” he claimed.