UK Regulator Calls for Government Action on YouTube Content Accessibility
The UK’s communications regulator has issued a call to action for the government to enhance the visibility of public service broadcaster (PSB) content on YouTube, citing critical concerns about the future viability of the sector.
In its comprehensive Future of Public Service Media report released today, Ofcom suggested that new legislation could be introduced to ensure that PSB content is not only more prominent on platforms like YouTube but also offered under equitable commercial terms.
“Such legislation would be a substantial endeavor but would provide statutory support for the prominence of PSB content on YouTube,” Ofcom further explained.
This recommendation comes in addition to the recent Media Act, which has already improved the accessibility of channels such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 on smart TVs. The adjustment to the laws regarding content prominence has been a longstanding goal pursued vigorously by broadcasters.
Focus on YouTube
Ofcom’s report highlighted its particular concern with YouTube, recognizing the platform’s increasing importance to traditional broadcasters who are eager to leverage the extensive reach of the Google-owned platform to showcase their content and scout for new talent.
The regulator emphasized the necessity for PSBs and other content creators to receive fair compensation when their programs are viewed on third-party platforms such as Google, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
According to Ofcom’s findings, YouTube is now the second most-watched service in the UK after the BBC, which accounted for 19% of total viewing in 2024. YouTube followed with 14%, with ITV close behind at 12%. Even Netflix, with its popular shows like “Adolescence” and “Fool Me Once,” ranked fourth at 8%, with Channel 4 trailing at 6%.
Ofcom noted the significant growth in viewership on video sharing platforms like YouTube, which are increasingly being viewed on television sets in homes where over 70% have connected TVs. These platforms host a rapidly expanding array of both user-generated and professionally produced content that appeals to a diverse audience, including both younger and older viewers.
Given YouTube’s expansive reach, Ofcom encouraged broadcasters to prioritize placing more content on the platform. The regulator’s research indicates that PSB content currently represents only a minor fraction of what UK audiences consume on YouTube, facing competition from global content creators. Thus, PSBs need to intensify their efforts to produce appealing content for these platforms.
Ofcom has reached out to YouTube for comments on these recommendations.
“Time is running out”
Ofcom’s report included six recommendations and issued a stern warning about the urgency of the situation. “Without immediate action, the existence of PSBs, which are cornerstone providers of Public Service Media, is at risk. We are rapidly losing time to preserve this essential aspect of UK culture and lifestyle,” the report stated.
Other recommendations for sustaining the century-old broadcasting sector include increased funding to support a diverse content portfolio, possibly enhanced by improved tax credits, clear future strategies for TV distribution, more ambitious collaborations among PSBs, and a reduction in outdated regulations that may be hindering progress.
Responding to a recent government request, Ofcom mentioned it would collaborate with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to facilitate easier partnerships and consolidation among broadcasters.
The regulator also expressed concerns about broadcasters potentially failing to continue serving as a “development ladder” for talent and production companies, as the UK’s content landscape undergoes rapid changes. “Broadcasters and producers have indicated an overcapacity among smaller production companies, which often operate in declining genres, leading to a market ‘correction’,” Ofcom reported. This has resulted in some established, smaller independent production companies shutting down, merging, or facing severe challenges.
This issue of the ‘squeezed middle’ was prominently discussed at last year’s Edinburgh TV Festival, where the head of the producer trade body criticized broadcasters for their lack of sensitivity and understanding.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
His sharp analysis and investigative reports make complex financial topics accessible to all readers.
