EarthxTV abruptly disappeared from TV screens earlier this year. Now it’s been revealed that the broadcaster failed to pay licence fees to Ofcom.
- Texas-based broadcaster failed to pay fees for 2023, suddenly vanished from Freeview and Sky in the spring.
- Company behind the channel could face an Ofcom fine.
It was billed as a unique TV channel, dedicated to showing programmes about the environment, climate change and sustainability.
Now it’s been revealed that EarthxTV continued broadcasting to UK audiences without paying fees to broadcast regulator Ofcom.
As a Freeview channel, EarthxTV’s owners Earth Day Texas Inc were obligated to hold an Ofcom broadcasting licence for carriage on Digital Terrestrial Television, for which an annual fee is due.
EarthxTV commenced broadcasting on 25th August 2022. But Ofcom has now confirmed that the company did not pay its 2023 fees, covering the 12 months commencing April 2023.
In a statement published on Monday morning, Ofcom said it considered the non-payment of fees as “serious and continuing licence breaches”. The regulator is now considering sanctions against the broadcaster, which could include a fine or revocation of the licence.
However, EarthxTV abruptly fell off air at the beginning of June on Freeview. Shortly thereafter, its feed on Sky was also removed. The channel shows no signs of returning to traditional TV platforms in the UK. Online streams of the channel are not covered by Ofcom. This means the threat of licence revocation is unlikely to be of any concern to the broadcaster.
EarthxTV also still holds a separate Ofcom licence for carriage on Sky (a TLCS licence). This isn’t at this point subject to Ofcom action for non-payment of licence fees.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: EarthxTV screengrab containing logo ahead of UK launch