In June 2026, the Government launched a review of public service media (PSM), Watch This Space, including an assessment of how the framework should evolve as audiences increasingly move away from traditional television and towards streaming and digital platforms. For Pact, it is vital that any changes strengthen the UK’s world-leading independent production sector and ensure producers continue to benefit from a fair and sustainable commissioning environment.
Pact has submitted a detailed response to the Government’s review, setting out how the PSM framework (which includes the public service broadcasters) can evolve while protecting the principles that have underpinned the success of the UK’s independent production sector. A summary of Pact’s key recommendations can be downloaded here.
Key
Recommendations
Some of the main points that we are making as part of the review include:
- Protecting the foundations of the independent production sector.
- The statutory Terms of Trade, independent production quota, and nations and regions quotas should be retained and not weakened.
- Producer ownership of IP and the bargaining position of independent producers must remain central to the framework.
- PSM framework should be modernised to reflect changing viewing habits.
- We support moving towards a more flexible, tiered PSM model which could include both existing PSM institutions and qualifying digital services, with obligations proportionate to the public service benefits they receive.
- Public support should be targeted where there is market failure.
- Government should establish targeted contestable funding, working with the market, to support areas of public service content where there are significant market failures, including children’s content, underserved audiences, local journalism, skills and innovation.
- Establish a cross-industry strategy to support long term sustainability of the UK production sector
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Government should convene a working group of broadcasters, streamers, producers, financiers and other key stakeholders to address the production sector’s financing challenges and explore measures to increase private investment and access to finance. This should include looking at enhancing the tax and fiscal framework and contestable funding.
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This includes encouraging the British Business Bank to explore partnerships with commercial financiers and producers.
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Pact will continue to engage with Government, DCMS and key stakeholders as the future of Public Service Media is considered and will keep members updated on developments and opportunities to contribute to the process.