Culture secretary backs Ofcom call for greater visibility of domestic broadcasters’ programming on Google-owned platform
Lisa Nandy has called for PSB content to be more prominent on YouTube, warning the government is prepared to legislate if required.
The culture secretary’s stance follows Ofcom’s Future of Public Service Media Report in July, which urged for better PSB prominence on the “increasingly important” Google-owned platform, and called for the government to consider if this should be underpinned by policy.
The regulator acknowledged ensuring public service content had priority positioning on the video-sharing platform would take “significant work” on the government’s part, as with the Media Act which enshrined PSB prominence on connected TVs and other devices.
However, Nandy insisted she is prepared to extend prominence beyond the Act.
Speaking at the RTS Cambridge Convention today (17 September), Nandy said: “As video viewing moves away from broadcasters’ own services and towards third-party platforms we support Ofcom’s recommendation that public service media content should be prominent on major video sharing platforms and on fair commercial terms. If we need to regulate we will.”
She clarified she would prefer the industry “come together to move on this” in a speedy fashion, suggesting the PSBs, YouTube and other stakeholders could thrash out an agreement.
“We all benefit and are all stronger for the dynamic mixed ecology of our commercial broadcasters, streamers, studios and content creators that together with our independent production sector make the UK a global TV powerhouse,” she added.
Move commissioning out of London
Nandy doubled down on her call last year for more commissioning to move out of London to reflect underrepresented audiences throughout the UK, particularly as trust in the media dwindles.
“Can any of us in this room really say hand on heart that we have done enough?” she asked, questioning why commissioning power is “still concentrated in London”.
“I think many of us can see the problem, when what constitutes news and culture is determined and commissioned by a group of people who are drawn from just one background and one part of our country,” she said. “It is a conversation that too often excludes not just some of us, but most of us.”
Citing examples of shows that resonate across the UK like Mr Bates vs the Post Office and Derry Girls, she added: “You are too important to be anything other than relevant, trusted forces that are felt to belong to the whole nation.”
In a Q&A session following her speech, Nandy addressed commissioners directly, saying: “”There’s more we can do to ensure we have a thriving PSM.
“If you’re all still in London, sort that out. If indies are constantly having to get on a train to pitch, that’s having a really damaging impact on a brilliant [production] sector.”
Expanding on her desire for a “thriving” domestic industry, Nandy also reiterated she has heard the request for an extended tax credit ‘loud and clear’, although Broadcast understands that the formal proposal has not yet been submitted to the Treasury.
Workplace culture
Following last week’s appearance in front of the CMS Committee to deliver a glowing report of the BBC’s actions in response to recent cultural scandals, the culture secretary also highlighted the importance of the national broadcaster achieving the highest standards of workplace culture.
“People must be able to trust both not just what they see and hear, but trust in the BBC as an institution. That is why I will never let up on insisting on the highest standards in workplace culture and swift, decisive action when they are breached,” she said.
Calling the BBC “a light on the hill”, she said the government is “determined” to ensure it remains relevant to and trusted by audiences and that it can provide “honest, truthful and fearless reporting”.
“The charter review is our opportunity to futureproof the BBC, so it thrives not just for the next decade but well into the next century. We will look at how to fund it sustainably so it can deliver for all of us, not just some, to drive the growth of the creative industries, to nurture talent, to create jobs and invest across the whole of the UK,” she said.
Earlier today, BBC director general Tim Davie revealed details of the corporation’s planning for the upcoming charter renewal, which included a plea to the industry to get involved with the debate about the BBC’s future.
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