Morning, Tuesday, 24th June 2025
Online
This conference will discuss key issues for the future of sports broadcasting in the UK.
It is bringing together stakeholders and policymakers to assess the future for the evolving sports broadcasting landscape, particularly looking at rights and implications of increased competition between traditional broadcasters and OTT providers for consumers, the sports sector, and the media industry.
Discussion will bring out latest thinking on how policy, regulation, and sector practice might need to respond to challenges faced by public service broadcasters competing in these markets, as well as key issues emerging from Ofcom’s consultation on implementation of the Media Act 2024.
Regulation
Delegates will consider key issues for the design and implementation of changes to the listed events regime, with a further consultation on Ofcom’s proposals expected later in 2025.
They will assess implications for the remit and sustainability of the BBC and other PSBs, including issues such as definitions of adequate live and alternative coverage of listed events. The way forward for balancing commercial value and public interest will also be discussed, as well as the potential impact on the income that sporting bodies can generate from broadcast rights.
The discussion will bring out stakeholder concerns, including uncertainties around how ‘adequate live coverage’ will be defined in the context of streaming services, and the financial sustainability of PSBs, which face increasing competition from OTT platforms. Further discussion is expected on broader implications of these changes for rights valuations and the long-term viability of certain sports if broadcast revenue streams are constrained.
Market Development
Delegates will consider strategies for broadcasters, rights holders, governing bodies, and regulators in navigating changing consumer habits in a highly dynamic market. They will examine shifts in traditional broadcasting models and opportunities for future investment, including in direct-to-consumer services, multi-platform distribution, and the development of new partnerships. Further areas for discussion include disparities in funding and purchasing power across the sector, alongside implications of fragmented broadcast rights on market access, audience reach, and long-term sustainability.
Discussion will consider implications of recent shifts in consumer behaviour - including the growing preference for on-demand content among younger audiences - which are placing additional pressure on traditional broadcasters. Concerns over the long-term sustainability of smaller sports and less commercially dominant leagues will also be considered, and strategic options for securing visibility in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. We also expect discussion on strategies for engagement with fan bases and mitigating possible impact on brand loyalty when decisions deemed necessary to maintain financial sustainability are undertaken, such as introduction of paywalls.
The rise of tech giants, which can outbid traditional broadcasters for premium sports rights, will be looked at in the context of how this has intensified these challenges, raising questions about equitable market access and the ability of PSBs to remain competitive.
Public Access
The conference also takes place amidst growing costs and challenges for consumers in subscription affordability, with delegates discussing its impact on public access to sports broadcasting, alongside implications for community engagement in sport across the UK. Innovation and the use of emerging technology to enhance user experience will also be discussed, as well as implications for digital inclusion and universality of access.
Discussion will address growing affordability concerns, including the impact of rising costs for premium sports packages and the need for multiple subscriptions, and how barriers for fans in accessing live sports might be reduced. Delegates will consider the implications of these trends for digital inclusion, particularly in rural and low-income areas where reliable broadband access remains limited, affecting the universality of access - a core objective for public service media.
Anti-Piracy
Further sessions consider strategies for tackling illegal streaming and wider piracy, including latest thinking on addressing the drivers of pirated content use. Delegates will also assess the way forward for international and cross-sector collaboration, and priorities for regulation and enforcement in light of evidence of widespread use by the UK public.
Delegates will also discuss latest approaches to tackling challenges posed by illegal streaming, driven by high subscription costs and fragmented rights, which can push consumers towards unauthorised alternatives. With stakeholders calling for clearer and more effective enforcement measures, the way forward for improved collaboration across the industry will be discussed, as well as how to reduce the impact of piracy on revenue and protect the integrity of live sports coverage. The role of technology in addressing these issues will be explored, as well as potential legislative and regulatory changes to support enforcement efforts.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
