Our Small Screen: Big Debate review looked at how to renew the UK’s public service media (PSM) system, including broadcast and online, for the next decade.
Following a consultation in December 2020, we published our final recommendations for the UK Government and for industry.
- Statement: Recommendations to Government on the Future of Public Service Media (PDF, 1.5 MB)
- Datganiad: Argymhellion i Lywodraeth y DU ar ddyfodol Cyfryngau Gwasanaeth Cyhoeddus (PDF, 2.0 MB)
In response to our consultation, we received over 100 submissions from a range of individuals, broadcasters, producers, platform operators, parliamentarians and academics. There was a wide range of views, but agreement on some fundamental issues: the importance of PSM for UK viewers and the UK economy; and the urgent need to update the PSM system to ensure that it is financially sustainable for the future.
As part of our review, we also held a virtual conference looking at the big questions facing public service broadcasting in the 2020s. You can watch footage of some of these events on YouTube.
Following publication of our review, we worked closely with the UK Government and the industry to implement the Media Act to ensure the continued success of PSM at the heart of the UK’s vibrant creative economy. We have set out a roadmap to implementing the Media Act.
Annex 2: Producing public service media content (PDF, 390.6 KB)
Annex 3: How to incentivise new provision of UK public service media (PDF, 5.1 MB)
Annex 4: Encouraging public interest content: international examples (PDF, 151.5 KB)
Annex 5: The existing public service broadcasting regulatory framework (PDF, 267.3 KB)
Supporting reports
In June last year we published a report by consultancy Mediatique looking at the commercial dynamics involved when services like iPlayer or Netflix are carried by connected TV platforms like Amazon’s Fire TV or Samsung’s Tizen. We noted that these dynamics were relevant to the future of public service media.
Our stakeholder engagement since then suggested that advertising is playing an increasingly important role in these dynamics. To deepen our understanding of this area we commissioned consultancy Spark Ninetyto produce a report on the market dynamics of advertising in connected TV, including arrangements on advertising inventory, revenue shares, and the underlying technology and data.
Connected TV gateways: review of market dynamics – a report by Mediatique (PDF, 2.0 MB)
Connected TV advertising market dynamics – a report by Spark Ninety (PDF, 2.8 MB)
We commissioned Mediatique to look at alternative options for the delivery of public service media in response to trends in technology, consumer behaviour and business models.
Future models for the delivery of public service broadcasting (PDF, 1.0 MB)
Annex 1: A summary of industry stakeholder interviews (PDF, 282.6 KB)
An independent report by Dr Lee Edwards (LSE) and Dr Giles Moss (University of Leeds) which presents the results of a 'Citizens' Assembly' about the future of public service media.
This paper was commissioned from Dr Helen Weeds and discusses the economic rationale for public service broadcasting (PSB) in a changing environment.
Rethinking public service broadcasting for the digital age (PDF, 367.5 KB)
EY carried out research into international perspectives on UK public service broadcasting, covering views on the quality of UK PSB content, the approach to funding PSB and how PSBs are adapting to changing viewing habits.
International perspectives on public service broadcasting (PDF, 4.0 MB)
We have also published the following submissions from stakeholders which were made before the consultation was published:
Joint PSB submission on prominence, inclusion and fair value (PDF, 400.9 KB)
techUK submission on the role of PSBs in the TV receiver market (PDF, 161.9 KB)
As part of Small Screen: Big Debate, we want to take a closer look at the relationship which exists today between the PSBs and production sector. Our goal is to understand the impact of regulation on that relationship as it adapts to evolving market conditions.
To inform our recommendations to UK Government, we sought evidence and information from stakeholders (PDF, 184.3 KB) about the effectiveness now and in the future of the core aspects of regulation which apply to independent production.
This document reviewed how public service broadcasting (PSB) delivered for UK audiences over a five-year period (2014-2018).
Small Screen: Big Debate – a five-year review of Public Service Broadcasting (2014-18) (PDF, 3.2 MB)
Sgrin Fach: Trafodaeth Fawr – adolygiad pum mlynedd o ddarlledu yn y Deyrnas Unedig (PDF, 3.3 MB)
Annex 1: Statutory framework (PDF, 120.5 KB)