TO BE PUBLISHED February 2026
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This conference will examine next steps for public service media in the UK.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to consider policy and regulatory priorities for organisations across the PSM ecosystem, particularly following publication of the BBC Charter Review green paper in December 2025 - and implications for audiences, broadcasters, and platforms more widely. Areas for discussion include financial sustainability, service delivery, commissioning, audience access, regional growth, and the prominence and discoverability of services across third-party platforms, as Ofcom considers responses to their proposed recommendations on designation of television selection services under the Media Act 2024.
Drawing on findings from Ofcom’s Public Service Media Review, delegates will assess the way forward for supporting public service broadcasters, strategies for further collaboration with online platforms such as YouTube, and the impact of trends, such as shifts in production and commissioning models, and the wider transition to digital-only online services.
The future of the BBC - audiences, challenges & building on strengths
Attendees will consider strategic priorities for the BBC, with the public consultation on its future open until March 2026, including options for reforming the funding model, the future of the licence fee, and potential approaches for growing commercial revenue.
With senior BBC figures appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in November, amid a range of significant challenges facing the corporation and leadership changes, we expect discussion on priorities for the new director general and senior staff. The agenda includes discussion on proposals in the green paper, including how the BBC’s independence might be strengthened to improve trust and impartiality, options for introducing specific responsibilities around workplace conduct, and the role of the BBC in supporting media literacy and countering misinformation.
The BBC’s response to evolving audience expectations and digital competition will also be examined, as well as stakeholder views on strategies for driving growth across the creative economy, supporting national and regional production sectors through partnership building, and the way forward for investment in digital technologies to promote good consumer outcomes.
Wider media market developments, dynamics & support
Delegates will also consider the wider sector’s evolving market dynamics, including implications of rising viewership of streaming platforms for the range of advertising-funded broadcasters, intensified youth audience loss to social media and shortform video platforms, pressures on advertising revenue, contested bids for Warner Bros. Discovery, and potential consolidation with preliminary discussions reportedly under way between Comcast and ITV over the possible acquisition of ITV’s broadcasting business.
Further discussion will focus on opportunities following publication of the 2025 Spending Review, and with the Creative Industries Sector Plan highlighting the role of PSBs in driving growth and investment in the television industry. Implications of interventions outlined in the plan will be assessed, including the way forward for action to support PSM and the wider television ecosystem and to realise the potential of the BBC’s commercial ventures in supporting growth and stability.
Regulatory priorities
Looking at regulatory implications, further discussion will focus on the progress of the Competition Markets Authority and Ofcom in setting out how changes to the sector - such as convergence of broadcast, on-demand and video sharing or possible broadcaster consolidation - could inform future assessments of television and advertising markets, as set out by the Government in the Sector Plan.
Considering findings from Ofcom’s Public Service Media Review and the phased implementation of the Media Act 2024, attendees will examine priorities in ensuring that public service media content is prominent and easily discoverable on connected TV platforms and other third-party services, including those designated under the new television selection services regime. Discussion will look at expectations on platforms and broadcasters for navigation, recommendation and search, and approaches to tailoring content and formats to the needs and habits of different audience groups, including younger viewers and those who primarily access content online.
The production sector, commissioning & workforce capacity
Further implications of changing commissioning patterns, particularly for independent producers, will also be considered, with attention to the impact of Channel 4’s evolving commissioning responsibilities, shifts towards in-house production, and updated quota frameworks across linear and on-demand services. Delegates will assess evidence on capacity and workforce trends in the production sector, including concerns that supply may outstrip demand in some areas, and options for supporting sustainable business models, fair access to commissions, and strong regional representation.
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. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include officials from the Department for Business and Trade; Department of Culture, Communication and Sport, ROI; Competition and Markets Authority; Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Ofcom; National Audit Office; and the Welsh Government.
