Sector’s traditional heavyweights urge government to act quickly
The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5 have united to urge government to secure the future of public service media sector.
The four organisations have jointly partnered with fellow public broadcasters MG Alba, S4C and STV to issue a historic five-point plan they believe will reshape the industry to allow them to thrive.
These are:
- An enhanced tax credit system to help British storytelling prosper
- A clear pathway to begin the transition to internet-delivered television
- More work to ensure digital prominence of PSM content across all devices and platforms
- An assurance impartial news can be found on the platforms that are most used by young people, especially
- Greater freedom to collaborate more effectively
Full details of the public service broadcasters’ wish-list can be found here, in an exclusive op-ed.
In the article, the traditional powerhouses call for greater support to avoid global online platforms that are “driven by profit, not purpose” coming to dominate the UK’s cultural landscape.
They issued a direct and joined up message to government: “The UK’s Public Service Broadcasters may be rivals when it comes to ratings, but we all share one goal: our fundamental duty is to serve the British people….
“As the market and audiences fracture and costs rise, we believe it is time to speak with one voice to call for action to secure the future of our irreplaceable public service media sector.
“We are already rising to meet the challenge, re-inventing ourselves by transforming our services for the digital age. However, we cannot do it alone. We can’t respond to all these risks without bold intervention.”
The message was delivered on stage at the RTS Cambridge Convention by BBC director general Tim Davie, ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall, Channel 4 interim chief exec Jonathan Allan and outgoing Paramount UK president Sarah Rose.
They concluded: “Action is now urgent. PSBs could add a further £10 billion to the UK economy by 2035, according to the latest research.
“The media and entertainment sector more widely can deliver more than a quarter of the Government’s investment target for the whole creative sector. But it requires the right decisions to be taken now and the right policy to secure the growth this country needs.”
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