Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Paragraph: 33
Proactively keep challenges of finding radio in in-car systems under close review.
Recommendation
The future risks to radio are not confined to voice-activated devices. Platforms can make it very hard for car drivers to find radio, simply by self-preferencing their own or others’ content and leaving listeners to swipe through later pages to find their choice. Connected car manufacturers and the providers of in-car systems could choose not to offer broadcast radio at all and can control which apps are available. As a result, we are concerned that the Government may have overestimated the extent to which listeners are easily able to find their preferred stations in in-car systems. Noting the Government’s current position that in-car infotainment systems should not be included within the scope of the Bill, we recommend that the Government and Ofcom should proactively keep this issue under close review. Noting the Government’s current position that in-car infotainment systems should not be included within the scope of the Bill, we recommend that the Government and Ofcom should proactively keep this issue under close review.
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation and committed to proactively keep the issue of in-car infotainment systems and their impact on radio access under review.
Paragraph Reference:
33
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government is alive to the potential threats and opportunities that come with changing listening habits and evolving technology, and recognises that the car in particular has historically been an important environment for radio. The Government therefore welcomes this recommendation and will keep this issue under review.