UK Broadcasters Push for On-Demand Placement

UK broadcasters urge the Government to require tech companies to give them prominent placement within on-demand services.

21:46 16 October 2018

The heads of ITV, BBC, Channel 5 and Channel 4 are urging the government to require tech companies to give them top listing within on-demand services. They argue that Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and other big streaming services don’t drive enough traffic to their shows and are focusing on big, broad and global content.

 

Even UK-based streaming services are failing from keeping content from public broadcasters on top of listings as they are using algorithms designed to present viewers with picks tailored for their interests.

 

Although Ofcom, the UK’s broadcasting regulator, has lent its support to the idea of giving PSBs more prominence on streaming platforms, it says that a new legislation is required to make any changes.

 

Meanwhile, if the UK government gives in to PSBs’ demands, it is highly likely that companies that make a custom TV operating system will face various challenges. That includes set-top box makers like Roku and Apple, streaming services like Sky and BT and smart manufacturers like Sony and Samsung, which would be required to make changes in order to push shows from public broadcasters ahead of promoted content and original series.