The government is to scrutinise the future of linear TV
broadcasting, as new research published today shows that some
viewers could be excluded from the general shift towards online
viewership.
Senior representatives from Ofcom, TV broadcasters,
infrastructure operators and organisations representing audiences
will form a new working group, convened by Media Minister MP. It will consider how
all viewers, including older people and those without internet
connectivity on their TV, can continue to access world-class
British content as consumer habits continue to change.
The group will consult with key stakeholders on how changing
viewing habits and the rise in audiences watching shows over the
internet will impact the future of TV broadcasting. It will have
a particular focus on the pressure this puts on delivering
traditional broadcast television in a cost effective way.
The core aims of the group will be to ensure that no one is left
behind amid a shift towards online viewing, and to establish a
sustainable television ecosystem that works for both audiences
and the industry. The forum is due to meet quarterly, starting
later this month.
Gill Hind, COO and director of TV at Enders Analysis, Richard
Lindsay-Davies, CEO of trade body Digital TV Group, and DCMS
College of Experts academic will chair three smaller
working groups supporting the forum, representing the TV sector,
infrastructure and audience groups. These groups will meet
separately to gather evidence and drive forward policy
development ahead of the larger forum discussions.
Media Minister said:
Streaming has revolutionised the television industry. Viewers
have never had more choice over what to watch and how to access
content.
As the shift towards streaming and watching live broadcasting
online continues, it is vital that no one is left behind. I want
to ensure that as many people as possible can watch TV in a way
that suits them.
This new forum, bringing together the major players in the TV
industry and audience groups, will help deliver a long-term plan
that ensures everyone in society can access world-class British
content in the decades to come.
As part of this work, the department is today publishing the
findings of a research report
commissioned in September 2023, led by Exeter University and a
group of independent researchers. The project looked at the UK's
current television delivery and consumption trends, examining how
they are likely to change in the coming decade, if no government
intervention is taken.
Based on current trends, the report predicts that 95% of
households will have the capacity to watch TV over the internet
by 2040. However 5% of households, or 1.5 million people, will
still rely on traditional linear broadcasting by the same year,
without intervention.
This ‘unconnected' group tends to be significantly older, have a
lower socioeconomic status and live in rural communities. The
cost of broadband and lack of digital skills are factors in
preventing households from adopting Internet Protocol Television
(IPTV) or programmes delivered via the internet.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The forum's Terms of Reference
have been published today.
- Summaries of forum meetings will be published on gov.uk
following each session.
- Digital terrestrial television (DTT) is legislated to
continue until at least 2034.
- The public service broadcasters (PSBs) are legally required
to run a broadcast TV service on DTT and offer it for carriage on
other platforms.
Forum Membership TV Sector
- Gill Hind, Chair
- Ofcom
- BBC
- Channel 4
- Commercial On-Demand and Broadcasting Association (COBA)
- Everyone TV
- ITV
- Local TV Network
- Paramount
- S4C
- Sky
- STV
- Tech UK
Infrastructure
- Richard Lindsay-Davies, Chair
- DSIT
- Ofcom
- Arqiva
- BBC
- BT
- Comux
- EDGIO
- Everyone TV
- Independent Networks Cooperative Association (INCA)
- ITV
- Mobile UK
- SES
- Sky
- Tech UK
- VM02
Audiences
- Prof , Chair
- Ofcom
- Channel 4
- Digital Poverty Alliance
- Prof Steven Barnett, University of Westminster
- Rural Services Network
- Silver Voices
- Voice of the Listener and Viewer
