U.K. Government Sets Out Overhaul of PSB Landscape

The U.K. government has outlined its plans to overhaul the country’s public-service broadcasting laws, promising to create a new “golden age of British TV.”

The white paper released by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) today promises to update the “decades-old broadcasting regulations” that govern public-service media groups, helping them to better compete in the streaming age.

“U.K. public service broadcasters will no longer be subject to a complicated set of ‘purposes’ and ‘objectives’ from laws made in 2003,” said a statement from DCMS. “Their remit will be overhauled and simplified, with a new definition of what it means to be a PSB and a focus on creating distinctive shows which reflect British culture, support domestic film and TV production, and provide impartial and accurate news.”

The overhaul includes giving PSBs greater flexibility in fulfilling their obligations, which will now also extend to their online platforms rather than just the main channels. In addition, the U.K. government is looking to bolster measures to protect audiences from harmful material on VOD services. Under the new proposed laws, online platforms would be subject to a Video-on-Demand Code similar to the Broadcasting Code, enforced by Ofcom. Fines for breaches could be up to £250,000 ($312,000) or 5 percent of annual turnover. The white paper also proposes that the opportunity to secure rights to air TV’s major sporting events, such as the FIFA World Cup and Wimbledon, be made an exclusive PSB benefit.

The government also confirmed it is moving forward with plans to privatize Channel 4. Under private ownership, Channel 4 will be allowed to produce and sell its own content, while retaining a minimum commission volume from the indie sector. Existing obligations when it comes to regional production and its remit to provide “distinctive, educational, innovative and experimental programming that represents the breadth of society,” will also be maintained, said Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.

Addressing the production sector, the white paper is also looking at “super-indies,” noting that some have become larger than the broadcasters they sell to. “The government will review whether to introduce a revenue cap for ‘qualifying independent’ producer status to make sure it remains effective for promoting growth.” The government will also protect the U.K.’s terms of trade rules that support indie producers.