Recommendations Put Forward by the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee for Enhanced Protections in Public Service Broadcasting

In a significant development for the media landscape, a new report titled 'Rewriting the Logic: Designing Responsible AI for the Creative Sector' has been published by Dr Eva Nieto McAvoy and Dr Caitriona Noonan from the School for Journalism, Media, and Culture at Cardiff University.

The report, which focuses on the impact of AI on the creative sector, initiates a conversation between the Global North and South, led by the Global Creative Economy Council. It advocates for the continuation of the licence fee as the primary source of financing for the BBC, while also emphasising the importance of a mixed ecology of content providers for the sector and audiences.

However, the report identifies threats to the sustainability of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), including changes in consumption patterns and the emergence of well-resourced new entrants. It does not currently support a levy on SVOD services but leaves the door open for future consideration.

The report also highlights the need for PSB services and programmes to maintain their prominence on all media platforms, including SVOD. This is a response to the shift in viewing habits among younger audiences, with 16-34 year olds halving their viewership of BBC channels since 2010. Younger viewers are more likely to find SVOD better value for money, raising concerns about the future sustainability of PSBs in the UK.

The report further criticises the process for negotiating the funding settlement for the BBC and recommends greater transparency, including the establishment of an independent body to oversee the process for setting the licence fee.

Meanwhile, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee has published its own report titled 'Public Service Broadcasting: as Vital as Ever', supporting the continued provision of PSB in the UK. However, there are no specific names of associations or institutions involved in the consultations for this report regarding the future of public broadcasting in the UK.

Professor Nick Wilson discusses the Equity Gap in Britain's Creative Industries, while Professor Dave O'Brien emphasises the importance of higher education to the arts, culture, and heritage sectors. The Creative Industries Sector Plan contains key sector-wide announcements, and Dr Josh Sieppe discusses the co-location of the Creative Industries with Other Industrial Strategy Priority Sectors.

The report also recommends reforming the Apprenticeship Levy to introduce greater flexibility for creative businesses, and proposes that a condition of receipt of the UK's High-end TV Tax Relief should be a contribution to the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund. Marta Foresti has become the Chair of the Global Creative Economy Council, adding her voice to the ongoing conversation about the future of the creative sector.

Finally, the report opens the door to a review of the terms of trade, which could result in a radical change in the UK's rights market. As the landscape of media and the creative industries continues to evolve, these reports provide valuable insights and recommendations for navigating this changing landscape.

Recommendations Put Forward by the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee for Enhanced Protections in Public Service Broadcasting