Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Paragraph: 88
We do not believe that sharing top line viewer data about PSB-originated content with Ofcom...
Conclusion
We do not believe that sharing top line viewer data about PSB-originated content with Ofcom and the relevant the PSB would be commercially sensitive. Streaming services are an important ‘second window’ for PSB content but without viewer data, it is difficult to fully assess the reach of PSBs.
Paragraph Reference:
88
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Ofcom’s PSB review and the Government’s strategic review of public service broadcasting are considering a range of issues including the relationship between PSBs and platform providers and how the public service broadcasting system can continue to deliver effectively for audiences in the future. We will need to consider the outcomes from this work as we determine whether changes are required to the legislative and regulatory framework. As the Committee’s report demonstrates, the relationship between PSBs and subscription video on demand services (SVoDs) is not straightforward, particularly where PSB content is hosted on streaming services. It is the Government’s view that the issues the Committee has identified relating to brand attribution and data sharing are a matter for contractual negotiations in the first instance. In this context, PSBs themselves are best placed to determine the value they place on both attribution and data access during negotiations where they are the rights holder. The Government will however keep this under review. We agree with the Committee that there is a case for requiring streaming services to share top line viewing data with Ofcom to assist them with their analysis and evaluation of the PSB system, and we would hope that such data could be provided on a voluntary basis in the first instance.