The Government has announced the establishment of a new forum to “advise on the future of UK television”.

The ‘Future of TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum’ will be chaired by the Media Minister, Stephanie Peacock MP, and will – according to the Government – “scrutinise the future of linear TV broadcasting” and “consider how all viewers, including older people and those without internet connectivity on their TV, can continue to access world-class British content as consumer habits continue to change”.

The forum is in part a response to recent research (published here) that found that, in the absence of any intervention, 5% of households (some 1.5 million people) will still rely on traditional linear broadcasting by 2040. As the Government press release states “the core aims of the group will be to ensure that no one is left behind amid a shift towards online viewing, and to establish a sustainable television ecosystem that works for both audiences and the industry”.

The Forum’s terms of reference set out its objectives, stating that “the stakeholder forum aims to bring together organisations and individuals from the TV industry, infrastructure partners, audience advocacy groups, the regulator and government” to achieve the following:

• Improve the evidence base on the future of TV distribution;
• Identify the issues and options that are relevant to the future of TV distribution;
• Act as a forum for discussion between members to identify areas of consensus and explore options.

Three working groups will work alongside the Forum, concentrating on (1) the TV sector, (2) infrastructure, and (3) audience groups. These groups will meet separately to gather evidence and develop policy, before feeding it back to the larger group.

Commenting on the launch of the Forum, Stephanie Peacock MP 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.”

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