It’s no secret that the way we watch television and consume news has changed dramatically over the past decade. Gone are the days when the family would gather around the living room set at a fixed time to watch the evening bulletin or a big Saturday night show. Today, especially for younger audiences, the screen of choice is more likely to be a smartphone, and the “channel” is more likely to be a social media feed or a video-sharing platform. According to Ofcom, social media is now the main way three-quarters of young people aged 16 to 24 get their news, and more than half of all UK adults use social media as part of their news diet. On one hand, this opens up a world of information and perspectives from across the globe. On the other, it creates a serious problem: algorithms and artificial intelligence increasingly decide what we see, and they don’t necessarily prioritise accuracy or public interest. Misinformation and disinformation can spread faster than facts, and trusted, regulated journalism can easily get lost in the noise. This is why the UK government has stepped in with a major new plan. On 23 June, it published a Green Paper called Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media, setting out a bold vision to protect the long-term future of British broadcasting and journalism. The aim is to make sure that public service media — the BBC, ITV, STV, Channel 4, S4C and Channel 5, along with other trustworthy news providers — remain visible, accessible and relevant in an increasingly online world. But it’s not just about survival; it’s about ensuring that the UK’s world-leading TV sector continues to thrive, that democracy is strengthened by reliable information, and that no one is left behind as technology moves forward.
At the heart of the government’s proposals is a simple but powerful idea: when people search for news on social media, they should be able to find trusted, regulated content easily, rather than having to wade through a swamp of algorithmically boosted rumours and clickbait. The Green Paper is consulting on options that would require social media companies and video-sharing platforms to make public service media and other reliable news sources prominent and easy to discover. This could mean, for example, that national and local news publishers are more likely to appear at the top of people’s feeds when they search for news, especially during moments of crisis or social unrest. The government also wants to ensure that PSM content — the beloved shows and valued services that Britain’s trusted broadcasters provide — is promoted and discoverable wherever audiences are watching TV, including on third-party platforms. In other words, whether you’re watching on a traditional television, a laptop, or a connected TV app, quality British content should be easy to find, not buried behind a wall of foreign or unregulated material. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy framed this as a vital battle for the health of our democracy. She stressed that people need better access to accurate news and that regulated public service media must be “seen and heard in the fierce battle against mis and disinformation.” She also reminded us that TV remains at the heart of our society, supporting social cohesion and acting as a cornerstone of democracy. As the technology underpinning television changes, she said, the government is determined to protect it for generations to come. Alongside these prominence measures, the government is also exploring ways to improve media literacy, so that people of all ages have the critical thinking skills to evaluate what they see online. This could include a new duty on public service broadcasters to deliver and report on media literacy activity, building on the existing Media Literacy Action Plan and sharing best practice more widely.
But the Green Paper is about much more than just making trusted news easier to find. It also sets out a wider package of reforms to the UK’s public service media system itself, giving broadcasters more flexibility to adapt to the digital age. For decades, the PSM system has been built around traditional linear broadcasting, with obligations and privileges tied to specific channels and schedules. That model is increasingly out of step with the way people actually watch content today. Viewers now expect to watch what they want, when they want, on whatever device they happen to have in front of them. The government is therefore considering changes that would make the system more flexible, allowing public service broadcasters to lean into new technologies and better align with online viewing habits. This could also mean that other broadcasters and even YouTube channels could be designated as PSM providers in the future, as long as they meet the right standards and serve the public interest. The goal is to ensure that the UK continues to produce high-quality original content — from dramas and documentaries to comedy and children’s programmes — and that the creative economy that depends on this sector remains strong. ITV’s Chief Executive, Carolyn McCall, welcomed the Green Paper, noting that UK viewers still love original British content from the PSBs and trust the news they provide, which underpins democracy. She pointed out that it is the PSBs that sustain the wider creative economy, commissioning original content right across the UK, but that the radical changes in viewing habits have brought challenges to sustaining these investments. She expressed hope that the Green Paper would help PSBs continue to serve the public interest through trusted, high-quality, easily accessible content on the platforms people use now and in the future.
Sport is another area where the government is taking action to protect the public interest. For many people, watching major sporting events on free-to-air television is a cherished part of British life. The current Listed Events regime ensures that certain sporting moments of national interest — such as the World Cup, the Olympics and Wimbledon — are available to watch at no additional cost, by giving public service broadcasters the opportunity to bid for broadcasting rights on fair and reasonable terms. This has been hugely successful in the past; for example, more than 20 million people watched the World Cup 2022 Final on the BBC and ITV. However, the rules currently only cover the rights needed to show these events live on traditional TV channels. As viewing habits shift online, there is a real danger that the most exciting moments could end up behind a paywall on streaming services, inaccessible to many fans. The Green Paper confirms that the government intends to change this by adding on-demand rights to the Listed Events regime. This means that in the future, public service broadcasters would also be able to offer these major sporting moments for free on digital and online platforms, not just on conventional television. It’s a move designed to protect the shared experience of watching the nation come together for these unforgettable occasions, whether it’s a last-minute goal, a gold medal race, or a five-set tennis epic. Television, after all, remains one of the few places where society gathers to share major milestones — royal occasions, breaking news, series finales and sporting triumphs. It helps maintain a sense of belonging and keeps the public well-informed, and the government is clearly determined to preserve that magic in the digital age.
Then there is the bigger question of how television itself will be delivered in the future. The government remains committed to the continuity of digital terrestrial television (DTT) — the traditional aerial-based service — until at least the end of 2034. But the world is moving rapidly towards internet-based TV, where live and on-demand content is streamed over broadband across multiple devices, offering greater choice, flexibility and accessibility. The government is now looking at long-term models for the future of TV distribution in the UK, and the Green Paper sets out two potential timelines for a managed transition to internet-based TV: 2034 or 2044. This is a delicate issue, because while many people have already embraced streaming, millions of others — particularly older people, those on lower incomes, or those in rural areas with poor broadband — still rely on traditional TV and could be left behind if the switch is handled badly. The government is clear that any transition must be supported by a package of measures developed with industry, including public service media providers, charities and platform operators. This would include targeted support, practical assistance and clear information about what people need to do and when. Major work is already underway to strengthen the UK’s digital infrastructure, with progress towards near-universal access to high-quality broadband by 2032. Enabling people to access TV over the internet could also support wider digital participation, helping people manage healthcare, finances, communication and job applications online. The government sees a strong case for a 2034 transition, but recognises the challenges involved, and is consulting on both options to ensure the process protects all audiences. Responses to the consultation will inform the final decision, which is expected later this year.
The reaction to the Green Paper has been largely positive, with organisations across the digital inclusion and democracy sectors welcoming the government’s ambition. Vicki Sellick, CEO of the Good Things Foundation, which works to ensure no one is left behind in the digital world, said the proposals are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect the millions of UK households who are either not online or not digitally confident. She stressed that if TV distribution moves solely online, every home will need affordable, reliable internet access, and that with the right package of training and support from trusted local providers, millions of people could access healthcare, banking and essential public services alongside their favourite shows. “Nobody must be left behind in any transition,” she said. Meanwhile, Azzurra Moores, Associate Director at the think tank Demos, praised the government for making the visibility and discoverability of public interest news online a real policy priority. She noted that most people now get their news on social media and video-sharing platforms, yet unlike traditional linear TV, there are no rules and no transparency governing how platforms curate and rank content. This has led to a media environment where trust is eroding and misinformation is spreading unchecked. Extending prominence requirements to social media platforms, she argued, would be a critical step towards strengthening the information environment and building democratic resilience. The consultation opened on 23 June and will run for ten weeks until 31 August, giving broadcasters, tech companies, charities and members of the public the chance to have their say. It’s a complex and challenging path ahead, but the underlying message is clear: British television and journalism have been a cornerstone of our culture and democracy for generations, and with the right reforms, they can continue to serve the public for many more. The challenge is to embrace the opportunities of the digital world while holding on to the values of trust, quality and shared experience that have always made public service media so special.