Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications has officially requested that telecom companies review their cooperation with six cross-border pay-TV providers in Vietnam. Specifically, the Ministry has asked the companies to review their rental and service cooperation with these providers to ensure compliance with regulations.
The six cross-border pay-TV providers in question include Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Tencent, IQIYI, and Hunan. Under Decree 71, which amends and supplements some provisions of the decree on management, provision, and use of broadcasting and television services, foreign companies providing cross-border pay-TV services in Vietnam must have a license to provide such services.
According to the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information of the Ministry of Information and Communications, the review is aimed at ensuring that cooperation with these providers does not violate any prohibited regulations and indirectly facilitates their violation of Vietnamese laws. The review will strengthen the management and supervision of foreign companies providing cross-border pay-TV services in Vietnam that have not yet obtained licenses.
Netflix has confirmed through a report that it will provide cross-border pay-TV services in Vietnam. Three other companies, including China’s IQIYI and Tencent and the US’s Apple, will adjust their operations to only distribute films on the internet in Vietnam. Meanwhile, China’s Hunan and the US’s Amazon will not provide pay-TV services in Vietnam.
In light of the current situation, the Ministry of Information and Communications has requested that the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism cooperate in managing the promotion of films on the internet with four companies, including Netflix, Apple, Tencent, and IQIYI. It has also directed cultural, sports, and tourism departments to review and not approve advertising or promotion for the services of these providers until they comply with current laws on the promotion of films on the internet or have obtained a license to provide cross-border pay-TV services.
