Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Paragraph: 100
That reluctance should not be allowed to relegate the UK PSBs to a less prominent...
Recommendation
That reluctance should not be allowed to relegate the UK PSBs to a less prominent position on hardware than non-PSB commercial content providers who purchase prominence. There is little point in requiring a PSB regime if it can be hidden from view by the actions of hardware providers. We recommend that the Government should make international manufacturers aware of the importance of prominence of PSB content to the UK and its willingness to consider regulation should PSB prominence be undermined by hardware design.
Paragraph Reference:
100
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
As set out previously in our written submission to the Committee, the Government recognises the importance of high-quality PSB content being discoverable and widely accessible to UK audiences as far as possible. That is why the Government required Ofcom to undertake a review of this area through the Digital Economy Act 2017. Ofcom published its Prominence review in July 2019 and since then the Government and Ofcom have worked closely together and engaged with industry including with the international manufacturers of connected TVs to understand the impact of Ofcom’s proposals. It is important to ensure that prominence, and the balance of benefits and obligations, support a sustainable future for public service broadcasting. This work is ongoing and is also being considered as part of the Government’s strategic review of PSB. The Government has committed to acting on Ofcom’s prominence recommendations including through legislation and will do so as soon as the legislative timetable allows. We expect to set out next steps later this year.