Ofcom Urges Greater Discoverability of PSB Content

Public-service broadcasters in the U.K. need to collaborate and work with global tech giants to ensure broader discoverability of their content on third-party platforms like YouTube, Ofcom says.

The British media regulator says that urgent steps must be taken to ensure the continued viability of the public service broadcasting system, which is “under serious threat” amid audience shifts, financial pressures and changes in the ad market.

Ofcom has issued a six-point action plan that encompasses a collective effort by PSBs, third-party platforms and the government. The first calls for greater prominence and discoverability for public-service content on third-party platforms. “Public-service broadcasters should work urgently with YouTube to ensure that PSM content is prominent and easy to find on the platforms, and on fair commercial terms. This is particularly important for news and children’s content, and we believe there is a strong case for the government to legislate to enable the change.”

Ofcom is also calling for a “stable and adequate” funding system for public-service content, including news and kids, as well as clarity on the future of digital terrestrial television. “We said a decision by Government would be needed within the next two years, and we continue to believe a decision in early 2026 would allow sufficient time. A later decision risks undermining the investment and innovation needed to put universal TV distribution on a sustainable footing inclusive of all audiences. Delivering content over terrestrial masts, as well as multiple digital platforms, comes at a significant cost. An early decision is necessary to allow sufficient time for the planning, investment and innovation needed to manage an inclusive transition.”

Ofcom also wants public-service media to engage in “strategic partnerships at scale” in order to compete with the global giants. “Competition and plurality need to be preserved, but broadcasters must be more ambitious in pursuing strategic and technological partnerships.”

Ofcom is also calling for investments in media literacy and a streamlined regulatory environment. “Much of the current legislative and regulatory framework was designed for a world of traditional, linear TV. Alongside our implementation of the Media Act, which provides critical support for PSM, we are launching a fundamental review of our regulation of broadcast TV and radio. We will seek input from stakeholders about the priority areas for reforming regulation and supporting the future provision of PSM content. We will look at what further reform is needed to ensure regulation supports all audiences benefitting from PSM content in the future and how we can ensure audiences are protected from harm wherever they are. This may involve legislative change as well as changes to our regulation.”

Cristina Nicolotti Squires, broadcasting and media group director at Ofcom, said: “Public service media is stitched into the cultural fabric of U.K. society. It starts conversations, educates and informs, and brings us together in moments of national importance. But in a world dominated by global streaming platforms, public service media risks becoming an endangered species, and time is running out to intervene to protect it. Our six-point plan would involve collective action from broadcasters, online platforms, the Government and Ofcom. It maps out a clear route that would help sustain public service media for the future.”