White paper “suggests religious programmes could move online”
by Ruth Peacock, RNS:
A broadcasting white paper due to be published today will relax rules on public service content, including religious programmes, to allow broadcast companies to compete with competitors such as Netflix. Details of the bill were released on Wednesday night, and widely reported. Sky News says the proposals mean output such as gardening or religious programmes, which at present must be shown on linear TV, could instead move online. Variety, an online news service, reports a statement from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport: “U.K. public service broadcasters will no longer be subject to a complicated set of ‘purposes’ and ‘objectives’ from laws made in 2003. Their remit will be overhauled and simplified, with a new definition of what it means to be a public service broadcaster and a focus on creating distinctive shows which reflect British culture, support domestic film and TV production, and provide impartial and accurate news.”
It is also reported that the white paper will set out plans to privatise Channel 4, propose a new “video on demand” code to regulate commercially available output, and outline moves to strengthen public service broadcasters’ ability to secure huge sporting contracts. Sky News reports that the changes are designed to “give the UK’s vital public service system a deal fit for the streaming age” as people watch programmes on multiple platforms.
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