A new industry group is formed to assess the future of UK television.
- Chaired by Media Minister Stephanie Peacock, this initiative unites key players in TV and audience groups.
- The group’s inception follows DCMS’s research indicating a risk of exclusion for some households due to media shifts.
- The shift towards online streaming is reshaping television consumption patterns across the UK.
- The group aims to ensure inclusive access to British content amidst evolving viewing trends.
The UK government has established a new industry group, chaired by Media Minister and Barnsley MP, Stephanie Peacock, with a mission to explore the evolving landscape of television in the country. This group brings together influential figures from the television industry and audience advocacy organizations to closely examine the ongoing changes in how viewers consume media.
This initiative arises from findings published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which highlight a significant shift towards online media consumption. The report predicts that by 2040, nearly 95% of UK households will be internet-ready for television viewing. However, concerns remain for the remaining 5%, approximately 1.5 million individuals, who could continue to depend on traditional linear broadcasting without proactive measures. This demographic primarily consists of older adults, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and residents in rural areas.
In response to these challenges, Media Minister Stephanie Peacock emphasized the transformative impact of streaming on the television industry. “Streaming has revolutionized the television industry. Viewers have never had more choice over what to watch and how to access content,” she stated. Peacock underscored the importance of ensuring that no one is left behind as media consumption habits continue to evolve. She further articulated the need for a comprehensive approach to enable everyone to access television content in ways that align with their preferences and lifestyles.
The newly formed forum, which includes representatives from Ofcom, broadcasters, streaming services, mobile network operators, and viewing advocacy groups such as Silver Voices and the Digital Poverty Alliance, seeks to craft a sustainable plan for inclusive access to world-class British content. This collaborative effort will delve into a variety of issues, including the television sector’s landscape, technological infrastructure, and audience engagement strategies.
Supporting the forum’s overarching mission are three specialized working groups, led by Gill Hind, COO and Director of TV at Enders Analysis; Richard Lindsay-Davies, CEO of the research and technology entity Digital TV Group; and Catherine Johnson of the DCMS College of Experts. Each group focuses on specific aspects of the topic, ranging from TV sector insights to infrastructure development and audience interaction. These subgroups are tasked with collecting data and crafting policy recommendations ahead of the forum’s quarterly meetings, which commence later this month.
Efforts by the industry group aim to ensure no one is excluded from the future of UK television.
