EU Geo digital content restrictions abolished.

The European Parliament, the European Commission and member states have reached an agreement on implementing new rules to enable content portability, allowing EU citizens to view services they subscribe to no matter where they are in the Union.

The new rules come into force from 1st April 2018.

The deal is the first covering the modernisation of EU copyright rules proposed in the EU’s Digital Single Market strategy.

Under the new rules, online content service providers will verify their subscribers’ country of residence by using means such as payment details, the existence of an internet contract or by checking the IP address.

All providers that offer paid online content services such as Sky and netflix will have to follow the new rules. However, providers of free services, including the online services of public TV or radio broadcasters, will have discretion in deciding whether to enable portability or not.

Happy days but there is a catch. When Britain exits the EU this agreement falls down unless the UK signs up for it in the trade talks.

Which (current) member states and which language is the most popular and best quality amongst broadcasters?

Good luck with them getting Sky to increase their footprint again!

Does this mean that as a Sky subscriber in the UK I can watch Sky and terrestial TV on my smart TV in Spain? 

Yes it does.

Mark

i believe this relates to online content so satellite foot prints are not involved 

I thought this was an April 1st wind-up, very good if it was...or wasn't it?

Just ignore it. A certain person cannot accept that the UK is leaving the EU, and keeps trying to get the debate going again. If it were true all you have to do is download a VPN. I have one which makes anyone else think I am in the Netherlands, whilst I am in the UK.

Jarvi, thanks for yours, but in fairness a lot of people put a bit of spin on their posts.

But having googled I see that there is solid substance in the OPs comment and I'm amazed that there's been so little in the media. 

It's not mega news, but quite significant and seems to have been kept very quiet - is it perhaps that Sky et al don't like the change?  (that's my spin - I hate Sky and their devious, grasping culture).

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/11/28/geo-blocking/

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/policies/geoblocking

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5569731/Brit-holidaymakers-Europe-watch-favourite-shows-home-time.html

From today, Brits in mainland Europe will be able to watch their favourite UK shows on pay TV-subscriptions.

The change, which is thanks to the freeing up of regulations, involves broadcasters including Sky, ITV and Amazon.

However, the BBC has chosen not to provide access to its service abroad, sparking criticism from some in the industry. 

The EU has also abolished roaming charges for mobile phones. 

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/apr/02/from-sofa-to-sunbed-holidaymakers-can-see-british-pay-tv-abroad