UK eye regulation of streaming services, protection for ‘strongly British’ content

The UK’s Conservative government, led by Boris Johnson, oversees the regulation of streaming services, the protection of “purely British” content and renewed powers for public service broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV to update the digital age. A white paper focused on broadcasting and related industries.

“TV and radio enthusiasts will enjoy a new golden age of programming as the government updates its decades-old broadcasting regulations to give the UK’s vital public service system a bargaining chip,” promises the book. white. After all, changes in technology, viewing habits and the rise of global broadcast and media giants have created challenges for UK networks and producers.

One of the main proposals calls for “measures to be taken to protect the public from a wider range of harmful material, such as unhealthy claims, while watching video-on-demand services,” the summary reads. “These services will be under UK jurisdiction and subject to the Video Request Code, which is similar to the Streaming Code imposed by (media regulator) Ofcom. Penalties for violations can be as high as 250,000,000 ($314,000) or 5% of annual income, whichever is greater, according to the government.

Other objectives outlined in the White Paper include the “strengthening” and streamlining of public service broadcasters (PSBs), which will replace the complex set of “objectives” and “objectives” of the 2003 law. A new definition of what PSB meant was, including offering “distinct and diverse British content” that reflects British culture, supports national film and television production and provides “biased and accurate news”.

The government also confirmed that it intends to go ahead with the privatization of Channel 4 and end a rule that prohibits it from producing and selling its own content. “This will allow them to diversify their sources of income and improve their long-term sustainability,” said Culture Secretary Nadine Doris. “Channel 4 will still need to request a minimum amount of programming from independent vendors, consistent with quotas imposed on other PSBs, to protect its contribution to this industry.” The government said it would also try to use part of the proceeds from the Channel 4 sale to “deliver a new creative dividend to the industry”.

And sports rights are also relevant for further study by the government. The White Paper suggests that “the ability to secure major televised sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and Wimbledon becomes a unique benefit of the PSB through regulatory reform of listed events. The review also looks at adding digital and on-demand rights to the scheme to give the country free access to digital platforms while watching “crown jewel” sports.

These are some of the topics covered in the white paper in more detail.

public stations

The UK PSB is BBC, ITV, STV, Channel 4, S4C and Paramount Global Channel 5.

“While PSBs continue to reach UK audiences with high quality programming widely available, they will have more freedom and flexibility in how they fulfill their public service responsibilities,” the White Paper said in a summary. “They will have the right to meet the demands of their public service, which displays content on online platforms and not just on its main channels as it is today.

The government also wants to pass legislation to ensure PSB content is “always accessible and easily accessible on UK-related devices and major online platforms, including smart TVs, set-top boxes and streaming devices”.

The new authority, to be elaborated in more detail in the future, recognizes that “public service content takes many forms, including culturally relevant content that reflects all parts and peoples of the UK; Financially significant content produced by independent producers and across the UK; And democratically influential content such as reliable, unbiased news and current affairs,” the new government newspaper said. “It will also become clearer that public broadcasters must contribute to this authority and be held accountable for the volume of their contributions.

PSBs will be required to run a minimum amount and variety of public service content through the quota system, including content created outside of London, “but are currently only credited if shown on the main channel,” the government said. He plans to give PSBs “more flexibility in fulfilling their responsibilities, including reaching an audience by delivering content to a wider range of services, including on-demand platforms.”

In terms of British shows, the mention in the white paper was similar. მKimi who, i can destroy, Bakery in the UK, .High speed, Luther, low abbey s Planet Earth, called them “big international hits” that “also reflect the vision of a modern UK”. At home, but all over the world, because it couldn’t be done anywhere else. Several options are being considered, including including requirements directly into the quotation system.

broadcast regulation

The UK government is also offering a code for digital services to better protect consumers. “Ofcom estimates that three out of four UK households are using the video subscription app service,” the White Paper said in a summary. “But services like Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video are not as regulated in the UK as they are in the UK. Netflix and Apple TV+ are not regulated in the UK.

With the exception of the BBC BBC iPlayer retrieval service, On-Demand Services are not subject to Ofcom’s broadcast code that identifies harmful or offensive material, as well as requirements for accuracy, fairness and confidentiality. “There is some protection for those under 18, but there are minimum rules to protect the public from, for example, misleading health advice or pseudoscientific documentaries,” the paper said.

The government wants to give Ofcom the power to write and enforce new code, similar to the Broadcasting Code, to ensure that broadcasting services “intended for and benefiting the UK public” are subject to stricter rules. . He added, “It will primarily focus on larger ‘TV-like’ video-on-demand services such as Netflix, ITV Hub and (Sky’s) Now TV, and will level the playing field between VOD services and traditional broadcasters.”

Viewers will also be given “new powers to sue Ofcom if they see anything disturbing,” the white paper says.

Privatization of the 4th channel

“Under public ownership, Channel 4 has limited ability to lend money or raise capital from the private sector through the issuance of shares, and its current configuration prevents it from creating its own content,” the government’s White Paper said. “That makes it very dependent on cyclical ad revenue migrating to digital platforms.”

Go to Channel 4 “in a single turning point”. While critics oppose privatization and some call for more support for the broadcaster, the government insists that “access to capital and the freedom to create and own content are important tools that Channel 4 will need to succeed in the market.” sources of income.” and competition “The government believes that the investment needed to do this on a large scale and at a faster pace is better secured by private ownership than by asking taxpayers to assume the associated risk.”

Support for independent television producers

By 2021, the combined costs of high-quality film and TV productions had reached a record £5.64bn ($7.08bn), and the government wants to ensure the UK remains a successful hub of TV production with support for creatives and creatives. industries”

However, the growth of the sector has also led to the emergence of so-called “super-indians” who, “while remaining independent, are often larger than the broadcasters they work with,” according to the government. “The government is considering the possibility of introducing an income cap for ‘qualified independent’ producer status to ensure it is effective in promoting growth.”

Current rules, designed to protect independent producers when negotiating deals for new shows, need to be updated “The growing importance of on-demand releases for PSBs and independent producers,” said the White Paper. “Furthermore, consideration is being given to the need to expand its aspects to radio and audio producers creating programs for the BBC.