International Channels Face Uncertain Landscape in Vietnam

HONG KONG/HANOI: A Vietnamese multichannel TV provider has stopped carrying more than 20 international channels, including CNN and BBC World News, as a result of confusion over the country’s new pay-TV regulations.

K+ is a joint venture of VCTV and Canal+’s international arm, Canal Overseas. According to its website it has removed from its lineup, as of Wednesday, Eurosport, Cinemax, Channel V, Fox Sport Plus, Eurosport News, AXN, CNBC, NGC HD, Star World, MGM, CNN, Discovery World HD, Diva Universal, Luxe TV, Channel NewsAsia, AXN HD, NHK World, Arirang, BBC World News, Star Movies HD and TLC. The platform says the channels have been removed pending them being being granted "Editing Licenses." According to K+, as of May 15, an international channel without an Editing License cannot be carried in the country. The platform says it is working with the channels on the applications for the licenses, as well as looking at the potential for delivering more local services.

John Medeiros, chief policy officer at CASBAA, which represents the interests of companies involved in the Asian pay-TV business, noted, “Even Vietnamese operators of pay-TV systems cannot be sure how the regulations will be implemented, much less international channels.” 

He added, “The government at the highest levels has expressed its intention not to exclude international channels from Vietnam. And indeed, some changes to translation requirements for news channels were introduced, in order to remove operating burdens on them. However, there seem to be roadblocks in implementing this policy. Overall, the licensing regulations on the books remain restrictive in their effects. No licenses have been issued to international channels of any genre in the last six months. Contracting requirements for editing of news channels remain problematic.”  

He concluded, “We regret that the effect of the regulatory process as of today seems to restrict access of numerous international channels to the Vietnam market. Consumers everywhere else in Southeast Asia enjoy the opportunity to view a wide mix of domestic and international television, and we hope that the government will see its way clear to allow Vietnamese citizens to join their ASEAN neighbors.”