Brexit: Irish Sky viewers lose TV channels and radio stations
DECEMBER 26, 2020 22.12 EUROPE/LONDON BY ROBERT BRIEL

Sky Ireland customers are losing access to a number of radio stations and TV channels due to Brexit.

The channels have been pulled from the Sky EPG as the stations did not wish to obtain an EU licence post-Brexit. The channels affected include RT (the former Russia Today), CGTN from China, some music video channels, and around 30 radio stations including those owned by Bauer, Global and Wireless in the UK.

Sky Ireland told the Irish press in a statement: “There are some channels (not very significant ones) which have been removed from the Irish EPG.

“This is down to the fact that these stations did not wish to obtain an Irish/EU licence post-Brexit and instead chose to be removed.

“Sky has been preparing for Brexit for a very long time so we are well positioned to adapt accordingly.

“Unfortunately this decision is not one controlled by Sky. The stations that are coming off our EPG are not stations that have any significant audience in Ireland.””

Although these TV channels and radio stations have been removed from the Irish Sky EPG reception remains possible by manual tuning, but cannot legally be listed in the Sky EPG without the extra paperwork.