Government proposes extending Ofcom regulations to online TV channels, to protect children and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities while maintaining freedom of speech. Plans subject to consultation.Government proposes extending Ofcom regulations to online TV channels, to protect children and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities while maintaining freedom of speech. Plans subject to consultation.
Read MoreOfcom has announced that stricter TV advertising rules for commercial public sector broadcasters remain in place. The rules limit ad time and were kept due to news content reduction and uncertain benefits. Ofcom will review them in light of other changes to the PSB system.Ofcom has announced that stricter TV advertising rules for commercial public sector broadcasters remain in place. The rules limit ad time and were kept due to news content reduction and uncertain benefits. Ofcom will review them in light of other changes to the PSB system.
Read MoreHeavy and light viewers watch TV in different ways – heavy view 3 sessions per day, light 2. Ofcom’s research found traditional TV most popular, with Netflix third. 2% of viewing sessions are online services, 72% combining them with traditional.
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According to regulator Ofcom’s Media Nations 2023 report, BBC One is the only channel to reach more than half of the viewing population each week. Average weekly broadcast TV viewing time is down 12%, particularly among older viewers. Ofcom data suggests that they are shifting to streaming services, with Netflix the most used platform. Many programmes with high audiences have halved since 2014 and younger viewers are consuming more short-form content on social platforms than broadcast TV. PSB spend on original programmes rose 10.3% and public perception of PSB remains positive.
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Streamers’ UK revenues rose by over 20% last year despite stagnant subscriber numbers, according to Ofcom’s Media Nations report. Price rises, new revenue streams such as advertising, and the launch of multiple new players contributed to the growth. Public broadcasters saw drops in viewership from older audiences and have suffered declines in their biggest shows over the past decade. Meanwhile, the public broadcasters increased spend on original content by 10%, with BBC accounting for half.
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A new Ofcom report has revealed broadcast TV viewers are rapidly dropping, with weekly reach seeing the steepest annual decline since records began. ITV1 and BBC One remain the top two first destinations for viewers when they turn on their TV, but public service broadcasters have been losing mass-audience pulling power in all genres. Older audiences now take up streaming services more often, while broadcast TV viewing overall is decreasing.
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UK viewers watched an average of 4 hours 28 minutes across all devices in 2022, declining 12% from the previous year. Broadcast TV viewing declined too, falling steeply among 4-34 year olds and for the first time among elderly viewers. Despite this, broadcast TV still dominates, making up 60% of total viewing.
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The Communications Market Report shows that live TV viewing decreased in 2022, with those aged 16-24 watching an average of 39 minutes a day. Total audiovisual revenues rose to £20bn while PSB spend on first-run UK originated content increased 10%. Third-party spend exceeded previous highs at £680m, with SVoD services such as Netflix and Amazon contributing £3.3bn in revenue.
Read MoreOfcom is proposing a new regulatory requirement on TV selection service providers to consider accessibility beyond electronic programme guides, and consulting on expanding their accessibility best practice guidelines to include advice for online video services. They are also introducing features such as text-to-speech, highlighting or filtering programmes with audio description/signing, magnification or enlarged text, and high-contrast displays.
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Netflix ’s latest attempt in its quiet campaign to soften the impact of the upcoming UK Media Bill took place this morning with policy boss Benjamin King raising concerns regulator Ofcom could become “something of a global policeman” if plans are waved through. Appearing in front of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, King stressed repeatedly that bringing Netflix’s shows within the remit of the regulator will be tricky due to their global nature. Conversely, he raised fears that Ofcom could become a target for “complaint tourism” or “forum shopping” from “foreign actors who want to use a regulator in the UK to seek redress for a title that they cannot succesfully pursue elsewhere.” The draft Media Bill, which is yet to publish in full detail, will bring so-called Tier 1 streamers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ under Ofcom’s jurisdiction in areas such as harmful material and du…
Read MoreThe social video platform is the fastest growing news source for UK adults, according to a survey, but nearly half of people using it for current affairs turn to fellow TikTokers rather than conventional news organisations for...
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