Permanent solution to ‘geoblocking’ required as Irish language content ‘restricted’ north of the border
An OFCOM report, at the request of the Minister for the Economy, confirms significant ‘geo-blocking’ problems persist into the digital era.
A new report published by OFCOM, the independent British statutory broadcasting regulator, has highlighted the ongoing problems associated with ‘geoblocking’ programmes broadcast by RTÉ and TG4 in the North.
Conradh na Gaeilge maintains it is the democratic forum for the Irish-speaking community, and that geo-blocking has been a long-standing issue where sporting broadcasts and Irish language content have been blocked or restricted across various platforms on both RTÉ and TG4 based on both digital and licensing considerations.
There are numerous Irish language programmes restricted for viewers in the North, be that when live streaming RTÉ or TG4, or accessing the ‘players’ online for on-demand services, such as Bluey (RTÉ), Spongebob and Dora (TG4/Cúla4), as well as Irish language sporting content, GAA Beo, for example, amongst other live sporting broadcasts and highlight programmes.
Communications Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge, Dr Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh, said: “Gaels in the North are rightly frustrated and angry when Irish language and sporting programmes are blocked or restricted on this side of the border.
“If you follow sport, you will know there are numerous live broadcasts and highlights programmes that we cannot access across devices, on some occasions, when teams and competitors themselves are from this part of Ireland.
“As parents raising our children through the medium of Irish, we already have very limited access to globally recognised content for young people through Irish. We have even less access when some of those shows that have been translated into Irish are then restricted or blocked.
“We recognise that TG4 make provision for an all-Ireland, 32 county license for much of their material. Unfortunately, even then, due to IP restrictions and non-UK licenses, many of those programmes continue to be restricted on various platforms and devices.
“The inevitable result is that people engage less with Irish language content and turn to English-language streaming services due to ease of access and range of unrestricted programmes available.
“Why would even the most dedicated Irish-speaker spend their time trying to find a solution or work-around to access Bluey in Irish when they can get it immediately through English on BBC iPlayer?
“We must remind both the Irish and the British Governments that they are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and in that agreement they have jointly promised to ‘take resolute action’ to promote Irish, specifically to “explore urgently with the relevant British authorities, and in co-operation with the Irish broadcasting authorities, the scope for achieving more widespread availability of Teilifís na Gaeilge [TG4]” in the north. In that regard, they are failing to uphold the Good Friday Agreement.”
“We welcome this timely report by OFCOM, as requested by the Economy Minister as we continue to seek a resolution to this longstanding broadcasting issue.
“We recognise the competing issues raised, between technical IP issues, to commercial licensing problems. But the effect of those issues combined is that Irish speakers in the North are left with a lesser service than our counterparts South of the border.
“Geo-blocking, non-Irish IP addresses, and non-UK licensing, means Irish speakers and families in the North are watching less daily Irish language content.
“That is damaging to the on-going revival of Irish here.
“We welcome the recommendations in the OFCOM report that both Governments review the 2010 Memorandum of Understanding on digital television services to assess whether it remains fit for purpose as viewing habits evolve.
“Conradh na Gaeilge is currently engaging and discussing these issues with TG4 and we look forward to finding a permanent solution that will give northern Gaels equal access to the full library of content on TG4, Cúla4 and RTÉ with any restriction or limitation.”
