Ofcom has warned that the UK’s public service media risks becoming “an endangered species” unless urgent reforms are made to secure its future in a digital-first world.
In a new report, the regulator calls for coordinated action from broadcasters, tech platforms and government to safeguard trusted, impartial content that serves the public interest.
Central to Ofcom’s six-point plan is a call for greater visibility of public service content on platforms such as YouTube. Traditional TV viewing is falling sharply, particularly among younger audiences – just 48% of 16 to 24-year-olds now watch broadcast TV each week, while 43% of children aged 4 to 17 regularly use YouTube. Yet only 9% of total PSM viewing takes place on digital platforms.
Ofcom is urging legislation to guarantee prominence for public service content, including news and children’s programming, on global video-sharing sites.
Sustainable funding is another priority. Ofcom highlights that commercially weaker but socially valuable programming – such as local news – needs additional public investment. The regulator also warns that universal access to TV could be threatened without decisions on the future of terrestrial Freeview, which remains important for older and low-income households. It has called on government to provide clarity by 2026.
UK broadcasters are being urged to collaborate more closely to help public service brands compete with global streaming giants. Ofcom argues that strategic partnerships could drive innovation and strengthen the UK’s creative industries.
Jonathan Allan, interim chief executive of Channel 4, backed the regulator’s proposals, warning that PSBs operate in “an extremely competitive global market dominated by big tech and saturated with unregulated misinformation”. He said Channel 4 is transforming itself into a public service streamer and stressed the need for clear policy decisions on the future of TV platforms.
The scale of the challenge is clear. A government-commissioned report found terrestrial TV’s economic model under threat, with internet-only households now outnumbering those relying solely on traditional TV.
Broadcasters including the BBC and Channel 5’s owner Paramount are concerned about maintaining terrestrial services without a clear digital transition strategy.
News consumption has also shifted. For the first time since the 1960s, TV is no longer the UK’s primary news source. Social platforms like Facebook, YouTube and TikTok now dominate, especially among younger audiences, more than 80% of whom rely on social media for news. While broadcast news still commands higher trust, Ofcom warns that PSBs must modernise their digital services to remain relevant.
To address these pressures, Ofcom will review broadcasting rules to reflect how audiences now watch content. The regulator is also promoting media literacy to help counter the spread of misinformation.
Ofcom’s planned consultation this autumn, alongside the BBC Charter review, will shape the next phase of UK public service media. Channel 4 and others argue that proportionate regulation, sustainable funding and strategic collaboration are vital to support public service broadcasting and the wider creative economy.
Ofcom’s intervention signals a critical moment for UK media. Without decisive action, it warns, public service media could vanish from the digital lives of future generations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.atvtoday.co.uk/261098-ofcom/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.ft.com/content/467c5cfa-c9d8-4ddc-9039-1829535dda51 – Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, has proposed that digital platforms like YouTube be obligated to give greater prominence to British public service broadcaster (PSB) content, including from BBC and Channel 4. This initiative aims to safeguard PSBs, which are threatened by declining traditional TV viewership, particularly among younger audiences increasingly turning to YouTube, Netflix, and TikTok. Ofcom stressed that PSBs and digital platforms need to collaborate to ensure fair visibility and commercial terms for PSB content. The regulator also suggested that the UK government consider legislation to guarantee statutory support for PSB visibility online, particularly news and children’s programming.
- https://www.ft.com/content/0bb4f0a2-c31d-4479-b268-b84dc88fc341 – A UK government-commissioned report by Ofcom reveals terrestrial TV in the UK is at risk due to a shift to online viewing. Broadcasters warn that declining terrestrial TV viewership makes it less cost-effective, particularly due to high distribution costs. A transition from terrestrial TV would most affect older and poorer audiences lacking high-speed internet. Ofcom proposes options to sustain TV services: a more efficient terrestrial service, a core service with main channels, or phasing out terrestrial channels by the 2030s with support for affected viewers. With broadcast licences expiring soon, the urgency to define future strategies increases. As more people watch TV online, the number of internet-only households has risen to 5.3 million, while 3.9 million still rely on traditional TV. The BBC and Channel 5 owner Paramount expressed concerns over the economic viability of continuing terrestrial broadcasts, highlighting the need to embrace internet TV to meet modern audience expectations and future needs.
- https://www.ft.com/content/8ecada2b-e095-4f63-b1d4-92d88242b1a2 – Television has lost its status as the primary source of news in the UK for the first time since the 1960s, with online platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok now being more widely used. Research by Ofcom revealed that 71% of adults obtained news online, slightly surpassing the 70% who still rely on TV. This shift is more pronounced among younger audiences, as over 80% of people aged 16-24 get their news from social media. Traditional broadcasters like the BBC, Sky, and Channel 4 face increasing pressure to enhance their digital offerings and cater both to younger audiences on social media and older viewers remaining loyal to TV. Ofcom plans to review public service media to potentially update regulations to support the evolving news landscape. While online news sources are popular, broadcast news maintains higher ratings for accuracy, trust, and impartiality.
- https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/public-service-broadcasting/public-service-media-psm-tracker/ – Ofcom conducts annual research into the UK’s satisfaction with, and attitudes and opinions towards public service broadcasters (PSB). This research helps evaluate whether PSBs have fulfilled the purposes and characteristics of their public service remit. The Public Service Media Tracker explores adults’ perceptions of PSBs and their on-demand services, providing insights into the public’s views on PSB content and its role in society.
- https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/public-service-broadcasting/response-to-channel-4-corporations-statement-of-media-content-policy-2023/ – Ofcom has published its response to Channel 4 Corporation’s Statement of Media Content Policy. The response acknowledges Channel 4’s performance against its remit and media content duties in 2023, recognising the quality of its news and current affairs content, initiatives targeted at younger audiences, and the growth of Channel 4 Streaming. Ofcom also highlights areas for future focus, including the implementation of Channel 4’s digital-first strategy and investment in commissioning and programming outside of London.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative aligns with recent reports from Ofcom, notably the Financial Times article published on 21 July 2025, which discusses Ofcom’s proposals for digital platforms like YouTube to promote British public service TV content. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/467c5cfa-c9d8-4ddc-9039-1829535dda51?utm_source=openai)) This suggests the content is current and not recycled. However, the Financial Times article is dated 21 July 2025, indicating that the narrative may have been published before this date. The presence of a press release from Ofcom typically warrants a high freshness score, as press releases are intended to disseminate the latest information. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No earlier versions with different figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content includes updated data and references to recent developments, justifying a higher freshness score. No similar content was found more than 7 days earlier.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Jonathan Allan, Interim Chief Executive of Channel 4, and references to Ofcom’s reports. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes indicates that they originate from recent press releases and interviews, suggesting originality. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, and no variations in quote wording were found. The absence of earlier matches indicates that the quotes are likely original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from ATV Today, a UK-based news outlet. While ATV Today is not as widely recognised as major outlets like the BBC or The Guardian, it is a legitimate source. The report references Ofcom’s official publications and statements from Jonathan Allan, Interim Chief Executive of Channel 4, both of which are verifiable and credible. The presence of these verifiable sources strengthens the reliability of the narrative.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative’s claims align with recent developments in the UK media landscape, including Ofcom’s proposals for digital platforms to promote public service broadcaster content and the challenges faced by traditional TV due to declining viewership and the rise of online platforms. The statistics provided, such as the decline in traditional TV viewing among younger demographics and the shift towards online news consumption, are consistent with findings from Ofcom’s reports and other reputable sources. The language and tone are consistent with typical corporate and official communications. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim were identified. The tone is appropriately formal and informative, without being unusually dramatic or vague.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, with no evidence of recycled content. The quotes are original and exclusive. The source is legitimate, and the claims are plausible, supported by recent developments and verifiable data. No significant credibility risks were identified.
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