May 2024
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With Ofcom having published its Report: Future of TV Distribution on 9th May, we are pleased that Ed Leighton, Ofcom’s Director of Strategy and Policy, has used his keynote session at 9.30 to discuss the report’s findings, and to take questions.
Overall, this conference examined the future delivery of television in the mix of audio-visual content, and implications for audiences and media markets of the expected continued migration from broadcast to online distribution.
Discussion focused on implications of the ongoing migration to internet-based forms of content distribution, in light of:
- Ofcom’s recent Future of TV Distribution consultation to inform their review of audience and market developments
- a new programme of work announced by the Culture Secretary, including an ongoing six-month research project into changing viewing habits and technologies
It was an opportunity to assess the impact on viewers and wider society, industry relationships and dynamics, and the interaction between public service broadcasters and other media companies, ISPs and device manufacturers, the wider creative marketing and production industries, and the citizens and consumers they serve.
Considering the potential impact of developments on market competition and consumer choice, delegates also examined what will be needed to develop a sustainable collaborative framework between sectors to support digital inclusion and a thriving, resilient and diverse audio-visual sector.
Further sessions considered issues related to availability and marketing of services, including prominence and scheduling of audio-visual content as DCMS considers the responses to their recent consultation on regulating additional electronic programming guides.
Discussion also explored trends in technical and service innovation, evaluating the coverage, take-up and resilience of broadband networks to support internet-based distribution, as well as implications for interoperability between platforms and device manufacturers.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Mark Griffin, Deputy Director, TV and Broadcasting, Department for Culture, Media and Sport; Ed Leighton, Director of Strategy and Policy, Ofcom; Richard Lindsay-Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Digital TV Group; and Kieran Clifton, Director, Distribution and Business Development, BBC.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- migration to online: the future distribution mix for audio-visual content - broadband coverage and take-up - futureproofing networks to support internet-based distribution - implications for regulation
- public service content: priorities for audiences and access - key issues for services and competition - broadband coverage and digital inclusion
- fair transition: key issues, opportunities and challenges with the move from broadcast as the primary platform - changing viewing habits, new technologies and AI - implications and priorities for key stakeholders
- market dynamics: the future positioning, power, relationships and roles of key stakeholders in content creation, aggregation, distribution and gateways - priorities for promoting competition
- cooperation: options for collaborative frameworks and agreements for future distribution - value exchange - content signposting and prominence - technology standards and interoperability
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the CMA; DBT; HMRC; Home Office; Isle of Man Government; NAO; Ofcom; Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, ROI; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
