“The licence fee in its current form is unsustainable simply because there are fewer and fewer people paying it.” So said the Culture Secretary in the United Kingdom. That was in response to the suggestion from the new Director General of the BBC that the television licence was “no longer fit for purpose”.
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MediaForEurope has announced plans for a single online video platform across its European markets by combining technology developed by its Italian and German businesses. The consolidated platform will continue to support national markets but aims to provide competition to global players like Netflix.
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The vast majority of viewing of broadcaster television programming as measured in the United Kingdom is on a television screen. That may be no great surprise, but in view of the time spent on mobile phones it may be something of a missed opportunity for broadcasters.
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Sky, which is currently part of Comcast Corporation, has announced an agreement to acquire the ITV Media and Entertainment business from ITV plc for £1.6 billion. The deal will comprise £1.2 billion in cash, the transfer of the Love Productions business to ITV, and up to £0.2 billion in earn outs. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.
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Vizio OS is expected to overtake Roku in television sales in North America. The competitive landscape of television operating systems is shifting from manufacturers to a broader competition involving retail, media, and technology companies. Sales of televisions alone no longer generate significant profits, while competition from Chinese manufacturers is driving down prices and steadily capturing market share.
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BBC online material will come under the direct regulation of Ofcom under proposals for a new code. It follows an extension of regulatory powers from the government from its mid-term review of the BBC Charter, which is now subject to further review. Ofcom will also have increased oversight of how complaints to the BBC are handled.
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