Latest news with #publicbroadcasters
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
BBC told to make more shows for YouTube or risk irrelevance
The BBC and other public broadcasters have been told to make more shows for YouTube or risk fading into irrelevance. Ofcom warned that the future of public service broadcasters (PSB) such as the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 was under 'serious threat' unless they were able to win over a young generation of disenfranchised viewers. The watchdog said traditional channels would have to work much harder to create programmes specifically for online platforms as audiences increasingly turn away from TV. Cristina Nicolotti Squires, Ofcom's head of broadcasting, said PSBs had a remit 'to make content that reflects the whole of the UK and it's important that they take their content to where audiences are'. She added: 'If audiences are increasingly watching things on platforms like YouTube, then they need to work hard to make sure that their content is seen there. 'That's specifically the case for the BBC, to be honest. They are funded by all of us and at the end of the day they need to make content where people are viewing it.' In a report published on Monday, Ofcom warned that the precipitous growth of streaming services and video apps such as YouTube and TikTok meant younger audiences may not form a connection with traditional broadcasters. Netflix the go-to destination for under-35s Research found that only adults aged 35 and older were most likely to turn to BBC One when seeking out things to watch. In contrast, Netflix is the most popular destination for 16 to 34-year-olds, while children aged between four and 15 are most likely to turn to YouTube. The crisis for broadcasters is most acute among teenagers, with 13 to 15-year-olds spending nearly half their in-home viewing time on YouTube and TikTok. In a speech earlier this year, BBC director-general Tim Davie said the corporation would start making news programming specifically for streaming platforms and social media apps. Channel 4, which has a remit to serve young viewers, has already struck deals with both YouTube and Spotify to make online-specific shows, while ITV last year inked a deal to put hundreds of hours of programmes on YouTube. The race to win back younger viewers has seen traditional broadcasters turn to shorter-form videos, while some have also signed up popular influencers and YouTube personalities. But Ofcom warned traditional channels had more to do as they accounted for only a small proportion of Britons' online viewing. Only about a fifth of the time Britons spend on YouTube is spent on content made in the UK, while North America accounts for more than half. Ms Nicolotti Squires insisted PSBs could branch out into different types of shows without overlooking their traditional programmes and audiences. She said: 'You don't have to dumb down ... Audiences are smart – they know when they're being talked down to – but it's perfectly possible to have the same standards across all different outputs.' In addition to ramping up their programming, Ofcom urged broadcasters to work with YouTube to ensure their shows were prominent and easy to find on the platform. While the regulator said this should be agreed under fair commercial terms, it said there was a strong case for the Government to intervene with new laws forcing the tech firm to show PSB programming prominently. This would build on legislation introduced last year to ensure shows from British broadcasters are easy to find on smart TVs and streaming devices. Ofcom also warned of deep-seated financial challenges facing traditional broadcasters as audiences splinter and costs rise. The regulator urged channels to forge more partnerships such ITV's recent streaming deal with Disney and a broader advertising tie-up between ITV, Channel 4 and Sky, while finding 'creative' ways to fund programmes amid strained budgets. A BBC spokesman said: 'We welcome Ofcom's support and recognition that public service media is a vital part of the UK and its economy. We are also very clear about the challenges, with areas like local news and the TV production sector under particular pressure. 'The BBC will continue to focus on delivering value for all audiences and we look forward to working with other public service media to support the success and future sustainability of the sector.'
ABC News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Antisemitism definition's lead drafter has a message for Australia
Australia's Special Envoy on Combating Antisemitism Jillian Segal is standing by a definition of antisemitism that underscores her calls to cut funding to universities, arts bodies, and public broadcasters that fail to combat hate. Opponents of the definition, outlined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), say it would prevent legitimate criticisms of Israel and suppress free speech. Among the critics is the lead drafter of this very definition, Kenneth Stern, who says the definition has now been weaponised.
The Guardian
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australia news live: Home values at record high in almost 45% of suburbs; Jillian Segal quizzed on antisemitism measures
Update: Date: 2025-07-10T20:45:45.000Z Title: Content: Segal was also asked about new federal government powers proposed in the plan to cancel the funding of universities if they promoted or failed to act against antisemitism. Segal said 'the most important thing is that universities cooperate in a whole-of-sector initiative, which they are doing'. They are very positive about doing this, OK? And all it says is that that's what we will work on together. But if universities do not do that, then we also have to look at using funding ... Many people have communicated to me that they do not want their own money - money that comes to the government from their taxes - being used to fund hate. Update: Date: 2025-07-10T20:45:45.000Z Title: Jillian Segal quizzed on media's 'false or distorted narratives' Content: The government's special envoy for antisemitism, Jillian Segal, didn't list any failures of public broadcasters that would require her intervention, after calling for a role monitoring the ABC and the SBS in her plan to combat antisemitism. Appearing on ABC's 7.30 on Thursday evening, Segal was asked by the presenter, Sarah Ferguson, about her comments about monitoring 'false or distorted narratives' in the media. What false or distorted narratives do you have in mind? She replied she didn't have 'anything particular' in mind. [The] ABC and SBS are very important elements in our society - public broadcasters that many people watch and that are seen as important and trusted sources of news. And I think that they are important elements of communication that need to be looked at and encouraged to look at multiple sources of truth rather than one particular view. Pressed on what 'false and distorted narratives' public broadcasters had peddled, Segal said 'there have been lots of complaints that have been made to the ABC about particular programs or particular issues where they've only shown one side, let's say, of the debate in the Middle East, and not the other side of the debate'. A spokesperson for the ABC told Guardian Australia it had a 'strong and transparent system of self-regulation' and 'a transparent complaint system available to audiences through an independent ombudsman.' Update: Date: 2025-07-10T20:45:45.000Z Title: Content: An Australian-born former councillor for Ashfield has been picked by Donald Trump as the new US ambassador to Malaysia. In a post to X, Nick Adams thanked the US president for the 'honor of a lifetime' adding that 'In your America, all dreams come true'. It will be my honor to represent the United States of America in Malaysia. To the esteemed Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I look forward to a confirmation process that is at the heart of the Constitution that has given me the freedom to pursue the American Dream. Thank you again to our Greatest President Ever! God Bless the United States of America! Adams, who has described himself as an 'alpha male', was cast into the US spotlight after Trump tweeted that his book, 'Green Card Warrior: My Quest for Legal Immigration in an Illegals' System,' was a 'must read.' Adams, who became a US citizen in 2021, was threatened with suspension from the Liberal party after an interaction with a journalist in 2009, but he later reportedly said he had quit the party. Update: Date: 2025-07-10T20:45:45.000Z Title: Welcome Content: Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Martin Farrer bringing you some of the top overnight stories and then it'll be Jordyn Beazley to pick up the slack. The antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, faced tough questions about her recommendations for action to tackle the problem when she appeared on the ABC's 7.30 last night. She was pressed about her claim that the media was guilty of 'distorted narratives' and about her suggestion that some universities could see their funding cancelled if they were seen to fail to tackle antisemitism on campuses. More coming up. In another sign that house prices are recovering quickly, new figures released this morning show that the value of homes in almost half of all Australian suburbs are at all-time highs. A report from scientists at James Cook University this morning says that sharks are spending longer than ever off the coast of some popular Australian beaches as waters warm up, increasing the chance of encounters with humans. We have more details soon.
