Ofcom warns streaming shift could widen Northern Ireland sports blackouts
October 27, 2026 09.13 Europe/London By Julian Clover


Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald
Ofcom has warned that the migration towards streaming could increase restrictions on Northern Ireland viewers accessing Irish television, with neither technology nor existing regulatory powers offering a comprehensive solution.

The regulator’s updated review identifies two barriers: territorial programme rights, particularly for major sport, and the difficulty of reliably distinguishing Northern Ireland viewers from those in Great Britain using IP addresses.

The findings underline a challenge for broadcasters moving audiences online: access to a programme through a terrestrial signal does not necessarily translate into access through the broadcaster’s streaming service.

RTÉ and TG4 seek all-island sports rights, but international rights holders frequently sell separate UK and Republic of Ireland packages. Northern Ireland generally falls within the UK agreement, while separate arrangements may be unavailable or disproportionately expensive.

Even where a broadcaster holds all-island rights, online viewers can encounter restrictions because geolocation systems cannot reliably establish which part of the UK they are watching from.

Ofcom says it cannot compel rights holders to license programmes on an all-island basis or require internet providers to reserve Northern Ireland-specific IP addresses.

Its report leaves scope for improvements through cooperation. Discussions concerning the 2028 Olympic Games are cited as one potential opportunity, although any arrangements would require agreement between broadcasters and rights holders.

Northern Ireland Economy Minister c, who commissioned the review, has written to the British and Irish governments seeking action.

“The geo-blocking of RTE content in the north is completely unacceptable and must be brought to an end,” she said. Her department confirmed she has asked both governments to review their existing cross-border television agreement. Department for the Economy.

Ofcom suggests revisiting the 2010 Memorandum of Understanding, which supported cross-border digital terrestrial television availability, to consider extending its objectives to internet-delivered services.

Updating the agreement would not itself resolve rights contracts or network limitations. It could, however, establish a framework for broadcasters, rights holders and connectivity providers to preserve access as television consumption moves online.