The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has issued a stark warning about the future of public service broadcasting (PSB) in the UK, calling for “urgent clarity” on how television will be distributed to future audiences. The regulator points to the increasingly difficult funding environment for PSBs, making it harder to produce and distribute high-quality UK content to all audiences. Broadcasters, Ofcom says, must increase collaboration amongst themselves and with global technology firms to ensure survival.
In a recent statement, Ofcom outlined a six-point action plan designed to address these challenges. This plan, however, requires a collective effort from various stakeholders, including PSBs, social media and video-sharing platforms, the Government, and Ofcom itself. Cristina Nicolotti Squires, Broadcasting and Media Group Director at Ofcom, emphasized the importance of PSM, stating: “Public service media is stitched into the cultural fabric of UK society. It starts conversations, educates and informs, and brings us together in moments of national importance.” She further highlighted that the six-point plan “would involve collective action from broadcasters, online platforms, the Government and Ofcom. It maps out a clear route that would help sustain public service media for the future.”
Ofcom's six-point plan includes working on the implementation of the 2024 Media Act and exploring further system reform to support public service content. A comprehensive call for evidence is planned for this autumn, alongside collaboration with the Government on the BBC Charter review, a crucial element in supporting the future of PSM.