Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Paragraph: 24
Universality is at the heart of public service broadcasting and should remain so.
Recommendation
Universality is at the heart of public service broadcasting and should remain so. Linear broadcast television by PSBs remains important and with delays to full fibre broadband rollout, a wholly online public service broadcasting system allowing for universal access is not yet viable. During the current period of transition, whilst a significant amount of content is being made available online, the interests of consumers who rely on linear TV must be preserved. Ofcom continues to tell PSBs to do more with less, but does not detail how they expect this to be done. Expectations for, and the remits of, public service broadcasters have to be realistic in relation to the available funding. Expectations for, and the remits of, public service broadcasters have to be realistic in relation to the available funding. If budgets are going to continue to decline in real terms, the Government should review the expectations set for PSBs.
Paragraph Reference:
24
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government agrees that universality is a core tenet of public service broadcasting and is committed to ensuring this remains the case. This means that PSB content should be delivered via technologies that are commonly available, familiar to audiences, and offer a high-quality viewing experience. PSBs deliver substantial cultural, economic and democratic benefits thanks to their respective remits which help ensure audiences can enjoy a wide range of high-quality programmes that meet people’s needs as citizens and their interests as individuals. The Government, through its strategic review of public service broadcasting, is examining the remits of each of the UK’s public service broadcasters and will consider whether changes are required to ensure that PSBs continue to deliver these benefits in light of broader industry and economic trends. We agree with the Committee that linear TV will continue to play a significant delivery role for the years to come and we want to ensure that any changes to the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) regime will support the future shape of PSB. The Government will shortly be publishing its response to a consultation on the renewal of the DTT multiplex licences set to expire in the coming years. The Government does not agree with the link the Committee draws between the availability of full-fibre broadband and a wholly online public service broadcasting system allowing for universal access. While some of the actions fall to the Government, any move to a wholly online public service broadcasting system would need to be industry led and dependent on factors such as the finalisation of industry standards and the development of consumer products based around these standards. The Government is committed to making the UK a global leader in digital connectivity. We have connected 97 per cent of the country to superfast broadband keeping the country connected through the pandemic and our £5 billion gigabit programme will give citizens the fastest speeds on the planet. Almost two in five premises in the UK already have access to gigabit speeds, up from one in ten in November 2019. Working with the industry, 60% of the country will have gigabit speeds by the end of this year, and at least 85% of the population by 2025.