Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Deferred
Paragraph: 37
Global streaming services challenge traditional dialogue between Welsh policymakers and broadcasters
Conclusion
The success of Welsh broadcasting has rested on the close dialogue between broadcasters and Welsh policy makers. This relationship is now being challenged by 42 Broadcasting in Wales the shifts in global power in the broadcasting landscape with the growth of global companies such as Amazon Prime Video, based overseas. Amazon Prime Video resisted sending a representative to answer our questions, and streaming services have not met the Welsh Language Commissioner. These are worrying indications that future policy makers in Wales will find it harder to retain a valuable relationship with all broadcasters. The oral evidence we took from Netflix and COBA demonstrate that this relationship remains possible.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government states that partnerships between the BBC and S4C are a matter for them, welcoming the BBC's commitment to modernise their relationship and detailing how the Media Bill will provide flexibility in content contribution, but does not address the committee's concern regarding global streaming services' engagement with Welsh policymakers.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
37
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
In addition, although negotiations between PSBs and TV platforms are conducted independently from the Government, we are aware that it has become increasingly difficult for our public service broadcasters to negotiate with the large global players to ensure that their services and content are carried and given appropriate prominence. That is why we intend to legislate to introduce a new online prominence framework via the Media Bill so that public service broadcasting content is made available and given protected prominence across major online TV platforms. This includes regional prominence for designated services from S4C in Wales. In doing so, our aim is to encourage healthy and effective commercial negotiations between PSBs and platforms, where both parties are able to explore mutually beneficial arrangements. These measures will help ensure that audiences are able to access culturally important minority language content for the decades to come.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗