The European Commission has finalized agreements with major Hollywood studios and Sky UK to remove restrictions preventing EU consumers outside Britain and Ireland from accessing films through satellite or online platforms.
The move addresses geoblocking practices that previously blocked cross-border TV service subscriptions within the EU. The Commission stated the commitments resolve competition law concerns raised about these restrictions.
Disney, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures, and Warner Bros. joined Sky in agreeing to abandon clauses that barred EU viewers outside the UK and Ireland from using Sky UK's pay-TV services. The studios also pledged not to include geoblocking terms in future film licensing contracts across the European Economic Area.
Previously, Sky's contracts required studios to block movie availability on rival pay-TV services in Britain and Ireland. The company has now agreed to waive these restrictions, aligning with EU regulations.
Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Toby Chopra
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