Google platform quiet on potential legislation and BBC swerves question of putting long-form content on service
YouTube has said it is “committed to ensuring the PSBs “thrive” in the digital era after it welcomed the findings of Ofcom’s report into public service media.
A spokesperson for the video-sharing platform said: “YouTube provides a powerful platform for their rich and vital content, connecting it with UK audiences on YouTube including new generations of viewers… we are generating new value for our broadcast partners and securing their audience reach for years to come.”
The Google-owned giant did not address the regulator’s call for government to introduce legislation on prominence, which chair Michael Grade told Broadcast ministers should “look at seriously”. Broadcast has asked for further clarity on YouTube’s views on potential legislation.
Elsewhere, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5 all praised Ofcom’s request to government to make a decision on the transition to internet-only services by early 2026.
Unlike its counterparts, the BBC notably did not respond to the report’s headline call for the PSBs to create and test out more content for YouTube and for the government to extend prominence rules to the video-sharing platform – having so far resisted putting full-length programmes on YouTube.
Published yesterday, Ofcom’s Transmission Critical: The Future of Public Service Media report also called for the PSBs to work more closely together to compete with global players and urged new sources of funding for their content after years of decline.
A BBC spokesperson broadly welcomed the report’s aims, particularly “encouraged” about the timeframe for government to decide on the digital switchover.
“This will ensure there is a robust plan to support people as these changes take shape, put TV distribution on a sustainable footing and allow investment and innovation to benefit all audiences,” they said.
While the BBC’s statement did not mention YouTube, Tim Davie revealed in a speech in Salford in May that the BBC wants to “dramatically increase” its news presence on the platform and is “already making progress” on this front.
An ITV spokesperson echoed the BBC’s views, saying: “Most immediately, we share Ofcom’s concern to ensure that the future of TV distribution is decided rapidly as audiences consume TV content more and more online.”
The commercial broadcaster also emphasised the need for “prominence and a fair deal on video sharing and other online platforms”, as well as PSB collaboration and new sources of funding for their content.
Channel 4’s interim chief executive Jonathan Allan noted the broadcaster is “leading the industry in transforming into a public service streamer”.
“We particularly welcome the regulator’s recommendations on: the need for urgent action to ensure PSM prominence across platforms, including on YouTube, and to provide clarity on how TV will be distributed in the future; the importance of proportionate regulation and sustainable long-term funding for PSM; and the need to promote carefully considered PSB collaboration and strategic partnerships in response to global competition,” he added.
“Bold action in these areas is essential to help support Channel 4 – as a publicly-owned but commercially-funded business – and the UK creative industries that depend on the sustainable, long-term investment from our PSBs.”
5 president Sarah Rose said it was imperative PSB content “remains accessible and prominent across multiple platforms” saying: “The extension of prominence rules, a managed transition to IP delivery that delivers for all audiences, and the need for supportive regulation are essential steps in this direction that should form part of a wider discussion.”
But Rose’s main focus was on kids’ content, saying she is pleased the regulator highlighted the challenges of producing it and called for commercially viable funding models.
But she added: “We were disappointed that the Young Audience Content Fund (YACF) was not automatically extended past three years despite its success supporting new talent and creating new British children’s IP. Revisiting contestable funding models like the YACF will be critical to ensure public service media can continue to support children’s content in the future.”
The report – which urged government to find creative ways to fund “socially valuable” programming such as children’s content – came days after Broadcast revealed Sky is to halt kids original commissioning.
The decision was slammed by the Children’s Media Foundation (CMF) and while chair Anna Home welcomed the regulator’s call for additional public funding, she also criticised the report for coming too “late in the day”, and recommendations should have been enshrined in the 2024 Media Act.
“At last, the regulator has listened,” she said. “The speed of change has significantly damaged the industry and is continuing to offer children and young people much less that is of value and too much that is of harm.
“YouTube and other platforms that have captured the hearts and minds of the young now need to acknowledge this and act, and if they don’t then government must take action.”
CMS Committee chair Caroline Dinenage said the Media Act is “unlikely to be enough on its own” to secure the future of public service media content, and said “work needs to start on how we ensure prominence on YouTube”.
She added: “The government also needs to set out a clear timetable for the decision on TV distribution. An early decision will enable a more inclusive transition and the PSBs to plan their future investment strategies.”
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