The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has differed with the Kenya Films and Classification Board (KFCB) over the handling of American online movie streaming service Netflix, which launched operations in Kenya last week. The CA Monday said Netflix will not be asked to apply for a local broadcasting licence, meaning the US firm is exempt from local broadcasting regulations that are part of the licensing conditions. The CA’s decision stood in stark contrast with KFCB’s position that Netflix must be regulated and subjected to Kenya film classifications before it is allowed to sell content locally. Francis Wangusi, the CA director- general, told the Business Daily that Netflix falls in the category of content providers that do not control transmission of their material – commonly referred to as over-the-top (OTT) — and are unlike cable companies that transmit own content over managed networks, making it impossible to license them locally or…
