Ofcom has warned that the UK’s public service media risks becoming “an endangered species” unless urgent reforms are made to secure its future in a digital-first world.
In a new report, the regulator calls for coordinated action from broadcasters, tech platforms and government to safeguard trusted, impartial content that serves the public interest.
Central to Ofcom’s six-point plan is a call for greater visibility of public service content on platforms such as YouTube. Traditional TV viewing is falling sharply, particularly among younger audiences – just 48% of 16 to 24-year-olds now watch broadcast TV each week, while 43% of children aged 4 to 17 regularly use YouTube. Yet only 9% of total PSM viewing takes place on digital platforms.
Ofcom is urging legislation to guarantee prominence for public service content, including news and children’s programming, on global video-sharing sites.
Sustainable funding is another priority. Ofcom highlights that commercially weaker but socially valuable programming – such as local news – needs additional public investment. The regulator also warns that universal access to TV could be threatened without decisions on the future of terrestrial Freeview, which remains important for older and low-income households. It has called on government to provide clarity by 2026.
UK broadcasters are being urged to collaborate more closely to help public service brands compete with global streaming giants. Ofcom argues that strategic partnerships could drive innovation and strengthen the UK’s creative industries.
Jonathan Allan, interim chief executive of Channel 4, backed the regulator’s proposals, warning that PSBs operate in “an extremely competitive global market dominated by big tech and saturated with unregulated misinformation”. He said Channel 4 is transforming itself into a public service streamer and stressed the need for clear policy decisions on the future of TV platforms.
The scale of the challenge is clear. A government-commissioned report found terrestrial TV’s economic model under threat, with internet-only households now outnumbering those relying solely on traditional TV.
Broadcasters including the BBC and Channel 5’s owner Paramount are concerned about maintaining terrestrial services without a clear digital transition strategy.
News consumption has also shifted. For the first time since the 1960s, TV is no longer the UK’s primary news source. Social platforms like Facebook, YouTube and TikTok now dominate, especially among younger audiences, more than 80% of whom rely on social media for news. While broadcast news still commands higher trust, Ofcom warns that PSBs must modernise their digital services to remain relevant.
To address these pressures, Ofcom will review broadcasting rules to reflect how audiences now watch content. The regulator is also promoting media literacy to help counter the spread of misinformation.
Ofcom’s planned consultation this autumn, alongside the BBC Charter review, will shape the next phase of UK public service media. Channel 4 and others argue that proportionate regulation, sustainable funding and strategic collaboration are vital to support public service broadcasting and the wider creative economy.
Ofcom’s intervention signals a critical moment for UK media. Without decisive action, it warns, public service media could vanish from the digital lives of future generations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative aligns with recent reports from Ofcom, notably the Financial Times article published on 21 July 2025, which discusses Ofcom’s proposals for digital platforms like YouTube to promote British public service TV content. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/467c5cfa-c9d8-4ddc-9039-1829535dda51?utm_source=openai)) This suggests the content is current and not recycled. However, the Financial Times article is dated 21 July 2025, indicating that the narrative may have been published before this date. The presence of a press release from Ofcom typically warrants a high freshness score, as press releases are intended to disseminate the latest information. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No earlier versions with different figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content includes updated data and references to recent developments, justifying a higher freshness score. No similar content was found more than 7 days earlier.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Jonathan Allan, Interim Chief Executive of Channel 4, and references to Ofcom’s reports. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes indicates that they originate from recent press releases and interviews, suggesting originality. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, and no variations in quote wording were found. The absence of earlier matches indicates that the quotes are likely original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from ATV Today, a UK-based news outlet. While ATV Today is not as widely recognised as major outlets like the BBC or The Guardian, it is a legitimate source. The report references Ofcom’s official publications and statements from Jonathan Allan, Interim Chief Executive of Channel 4, both of which are verifiable and credible. The presence of these verifiable sources strengthens the reliability of the narrative.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative’s claims align with recent developments in the UK media landscape, including Ofcom’s proposals for digital platforms to promote public service broadcaster content and the challenges faced by traditional TV due to declining viewership and the rise of online platforms. The statistics provided, such as the decline in traditional TV viewing among younger demographics and the shift towards online news consumption, are consistent with findings from Ofcom’s reports and other reputable sources. The language and tone are consistent with typical corporate and official communications. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim were identified. The tone is appropriately formal and informative, without being unusually dramatic or vague.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, with no evidence of recycled content. The quotes are original and exclusive. The source is legitimate, and the claims are plausible, supported by recent developments and verifiable data. No significant credibility risks were identified.
