UK public service television is at risk of becoming an 'endangered species' in the streaming era, according to a new report from media regulator Ofcom. The watchdog is calling for legislation to make programmes from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 easier to discover on video-sharing platforms such as YouTube.
Ofcom said there was a 'strong case' for government action to guarantee prominence for public service media content, including news, children's shows and original UK-focused programmes. The regulator noted that online video-sharing platforms now account for 19% of all viewing, compared with 15% for subscription services like Netflix and Disney+ and just 9% for PSB streaming services.
Research cited in the report shows 43% of children aged four to 17 watch YouTube weekly, while fewer than half of 16- to 24-year-olds watch broadcast TV in an average week. Ofcom warned that online news consumption, where misinformation can thrive, continues to grow faster than broadcast TV news.
The report acknowledges that non-PSBs such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon make high-quality UK drama, but says these services often put content behind paywalls and are not required to invest in British productions. Last year's Media Act ensured PSB streaming services received prominence on TV-based platforms, but this did not extend to video-sharing sites.
Ofcom recommended prioritising funding for socially valuable but commercially less viable genres such as news, local news and children's content, as the government prepares to review the BBC's royal charter and the licence fee. The regulator also announced plans to launch a fundamental review of broadcast TV and radio regulation, with a call for evidence in the autumn.
