Consultation: Designation of Public Service Broadcaster Internet Programme Services

Public service broadcasters hold a unique place in UK society. They provide trusted and accurate news, and a diverse range of high-quality content by, for, and about people in the UK which brings audiences together. It is therefore critical that viewers can easily find and discover public service content.

The existing regulatory framework has ensured that the PSBs’ linear television channels have been widely available and easy to find in electronic programme guides for decades. However, until the passing of the Media Act 2024, there were no rules to secure their prominence in online media environments.

The Media Act 2024 fills this gap by introducing a new online availability and prominence regime for PSB TV apps distributed on connected TV platforms. This new regime will require those platforms designated by the Secretary of State to ensure that PSB TV apps and their content, are available, prominent, and easily accessible.

The first phase of the implementation is therefore focused on designating those services that fall within the regime. Ofcom’s role is to designate the PSB TV apps, known as ‘internet programme services’ (IPS), which satisfy the conditions set out in the legislation to benefit from the new availability and prominence regime. Before doing so, we must publish a statement about the methods we will apply in assessing which IPS should be designated, and we are now consulting on such a statement.

In this consultation, we welcome input on our proposed framework and the methods we intend to apply when deciding whether to designate an IPS. We also seek views on our proposed processes for IPS providers to follow when applying for designation, and for Ofcom to revoke designation.

Responding to this consultation

Please submit responses using the consultation Response Form (ODT, 98.54 KB) no later than 5pm 25 March 2025.

Related page

Consultation: Statement of Programme Policy and Statement of Media Content Policy guidance