The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched a forum to advise on the future of television in the UK.
The announcement follows the release of a year-long study into trends in TV consumption and delivery in the country, led by Exeter University with the University of Leeds as co-investigators, along with industry consultants MTM 3 Reasons, Real Wireless and Cartesian. The report, Future of TV Distribution, highlighted concerns that some viewers could be excluded in the shift towards online viewing.
While predicting that 95 per cent of UK households will have the capacity to watch TV over the internet by 2040, the report also suggested 5 per cent of households – equating to 1.5 million people – will still rely on linear broadcasting. This ‘unconnected’ group tends to be older, of lower socio-economic status and living in rural communities, with the cost of broadband and a digital skills gap identified as factors preventing their adoption of IPTV.
Media Minister, Stephanie Peacock MP, will form a new working group comprising of broadcasters, infrastructure providers, senior members of Ofcom and audience representation groups to consider how all viewers can retain access to TV content as the trend towards IPTV continues. It will have particular focus on the pressures faced in delivering traditional broadcast TV cost-effectively.
Announcing its formation, the minister said,“Streaming has revolutionised the television industry. Viewers have never had more choice over what to watch and how to access content. As the shift towards streaming and watching live broadcasting online continues, it is vital that no one is left behind. I want to ensure that as many people as possible can watch TV in a way that suits them.
“This new forum, bringing together the major players in the TV industry and audience groups, will help deliver a long-term plan that ensures everyone in society can access world-class British content in the decades to come.”
The group will aim to establish a sustainable TV ecosystem in which no one is left behind by the move towards IPTV. The forum will meet quarterly, beginning later this month. Three smaller groups, representing the TV sector, infrastructure and audience groups, will meet separately in support of the forum, gathering evidence and driving policy development ahead of larger forum discussions.
Rob Collier, head of strategy at MTM, and co-author of the report said: “While access to IPTV is set to approach universality in the next decade, the report highlights the sizeable group that will – without support – remain reliant on Broadcast TV, and lacking the benefits of IPTV. As with the move from analogue to digital over a decade ago, there are a raft of considerations and ramifications for the entire TV ecosystem to navigate as we shift towards IPTV. This crucial report – a year in the making, and with leading industry insights – explores trends in TV viewing habits, the future role of IPTV, and the importance of ensuring that no one is left behind. It’s an important read for anyone in the industry and we’re delighted to have helped bring clarity to such a complex issue.”
