(14-08-2011 21:36 )jesswestisbest Wrote: All I can say is that it's one rule for one and one for another it would seem.
Radio Caroline are and have been for a while now in pretty high profile negotiations with Ofcom, many (over 70 in number) politicians and parliament via an Early Day Motion regarding a possible full time MW terrestrial licence and with regards to satellite broadcasting rules/uplinks and more that has not been made public and it would seem from what I personally know of those negotiations so far, it would seem like one rule for one and one for another.
If these so called foreign satellite licences to broadcast from the UK to the UK were that easy cheap and simple to obtain to be able to broadcast legit outside the law, then all stations would be trying to do it.
One thing is for certain, rules for uplinks have not changed having used them via Ofcom licenses in connection with Forces radio stuff in the last 8 weeks.
It is confusing. In fact the subject of who has Dutch licences and what benefits they provide was thrashed out a few weeks ago on here.
Gold Plated Pension provided chapter and verse (see links below).
The Babestation channels have one Dutch licence on Sky and two on Freeview. most of the time they're simulcast with other channels with Ofcom licences, so Ofcom rules prevail. The Dutch Freeview licenses do allow them to start broadcasting earlier than other UK channels however.
You're partially right regarding the uplink rule - if you uplink from country A you are likely to be governed by the broadcasting rules of country A, however, you also need to base your business in country A to be sure of getting a licence from there.
The studios can be in country B, but if you uplink from country A and have the main HQ in country A then chances are you will be eligible to be governed under the rules and regs of country A.
An example of this is Revelation TV, who were in constant hot water with Ofcom for trying to fundraise on air (and for broadcasting mind boggling nonsense).
They now uplink from Spain and also have their main office there, even though the studios are still in Surbiton. One of the founding partners actually moved to Spain to strengthen their case. They now operate with a Spanish licence, even though they're still on the Sky epg. This gives them some leeway in what they broadcast.
Just for information, Babestation is owned by Cellcast, a major international telecoms company. This might explain why they can uplink from Holland, as they may well own the infrastructure to do it.
Radio Caroline could get a Dutch licence if they relocate their HQ to Holland and uplink from there also. This is likely to be way out of their budget however. By the way, how is Ronan O'Reilly?
Gold Plated Pension posts:
Babestation licences:
http://www.babeshows.co.uk/showthread.ph...#pid843976
Ofcom rules:
http://www.babeshows.co.uk/showthread.ph...#pid843858