Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a compulsory requirement for broadcasters to include a public service component in their programming following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government recognises that broadcasting has an important role to play for UK audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) have played a vital role during the pandemic, acting as sources of trusted news, entertaining and informing the UK population and bringing the nation together through shared moments.

Under the Communications Act 2003 Ofcom has a statutory obligation to periodically review the effectiveness of public service television broadcasting and to report on how it can be maintained and strengthened. The Government welcomes that Ofcom’s current PSB Review will bring together evidence not only about the main PSB services but also the range of media services available to consumers in the UK. The government looks forward to the outcome of the review in due course.