Major British broadcasters are accused of holding other news outlets to ransom as they impose high costs for access to livestream of King’s Coronation
- It is understood that the BBC, ITN and Sky want to impose livestream costs
- This has sparked claims that broadcasters want to cash in on the Coronation
- Sources fear charging publishers for access ‘sets a dangerous precedent’
Major British broadcasters are being accused of holding other news publishers to ransom over access to live footage of the Coronation of King Charles.
It is understood the TV providers, including the BBC, ITN and Sky, want to impose high costs for access to the livestream.
The move has sparked accusations that the broadcasters are looking to cash in on the landmark event, rather than help make the historic scenes as widely available as possible.
The decision to try to charge for the coverage comes despite the precedent of UK newspaper websites being given free access to the footage of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The majority of the live feed is expected to be provided by the BBC, with ITN and Sky also spending on this ‘pooled’ coverage, which is shared between broadcasters. Before the Queen’s funeral, the Royal Household had given direction for the broadcasting pool to give access free of charge.
Major British broadcasters are being accused of holding other news publishers to ransom over access to live footage of the Coronation of King Charles
It is understood the TV providers, including the BBC, ITN and Sky, want to impose high costs
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The velvet on both King Charles and the Queen Consort’s robes has been restored by the Royal School of Needlework and the lining and gold lace by Ede & Ravenscroft
Newspaper insiders say a draft agreement which would repeat the terms of that deal, with some restrictions on the use of content, including a ban on running adverts with it, has been drawn up.
But there is huge concern that these broadcasters are now ‘seeking to extract a commercial rate’ from news publishers.
It is understood the broadcasters are asking for a six-figure sum from across the news publishing groups. This is despite the BBC recognising its public service responsibilities by waiving the licence fee for the day so as many as possible can watch the service.
Newspaper industry sources fear charging publishers for access ‘sets a dangerous precedent’.
According to insiders, the move to levy these charges is expected to be directed only at UK media outlets because overseas publishers will be permitted to use the footage through the broadcasters’ syndication agreements with international news agencies such as Reuters and Associated Press.
This means news websites with operations overseas, such as MailOnline and the Guardian, will be able to show the Coronation livestream in the US and Australia, but not in the UK unless they meet the broadcasters’ financial demands.
One source said: ‘News publishers are not seeking to compete for an audience because they won’t be able to commercialise the livestream.
The decision to try to charge for the coverage comes despite the precedent of UK newspaper websites being given free access to the footage of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
They want to serve their existing readership given the public interest of this historic occasion.’ Insiders said it was ‘wrong’ for the BBC to be ‘seeking to profit’ from coverage it will be producing anyway when sharing it around would come at no extra cost.
One industry executive said: ‘We are being held to ransom.’
A joint statement by the BBC, Sky and ITN said: ‘UK broadcasters are investing heavily in the coverage of this complex and historic event and have asked for a fair and reasonable financial contribution from any third parties wishing to access the live coverage for their own use.’
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