Ofcom has published the terms of reference for its next review of public service media. It comes at a time when Ofcom says that “seismic changes” to audience consumption of content – from radio and television to online services – threatens the financial sustainability of public service broadcasters. It also follows a recent report from Ofcom finding that television is “no longer the single main source of news for adults in the UK”.

The terms of reference draw attention to the changes that public service broadcasters are making to implement substantial reforms in response to shifting audience behaviour by, for example, investing in digital platforms and creating content specifically to appeal to those who view shorter form content online. They also point to the regulatory reforms in the Media Act 2024 which, Ofcom claims, will help public service broadcasters to “better meet audience needs across their linear and on-demand services…and ensure they remain readily available to audiences through greater prominence of players on connected TVs”.

However, Ofcom points out that the implementation of such changes costs money, against a backdrop of public service broadcasters “facing significant competition for audiences and advertising revenue from global players which is putting additional pressure on their finances”. Therefore, it argues that its new review will reflect the need to “continue to assess what further reform might be needed to protect essential public service media for UK audiences: trusted and accurate news, content which reflects the whole of the UK and content which brings audiences together”.

The 2025 review of public service media will be in two phases. First, Ofcom will examine how public service broadcasters have “delivered for UK audiences” in the past five years, and how shifts in audience behaviour will affect the “future consumption and financial viability” of public service media content. In addition, it will consider how public service broadcasters plan to monetise their content online and how changes in the provision of news have affected audiences.

Second, Ofcom will “consider opportunities to support the sustainability of public service media and the availability of high quality and accurate news that audiences can trust”. For example, it will consider how to ensure that providers of public service media content can engage younger audiences, and how Ofcom can support audiences’ ability to navigate online intermediaries and algorithms to find high-quality news, local reporting, and investigative journalism.

Ofcom has committed itself to publishing its review of past public service broadcasting performance (i.e. phase one) by this winter, and to publish the findings of the Public Service Media Review next summer. It invites input from stakeholders by contacting PSMReview2025@ofcom.org.uk, and more information can be found here.