UK M&A Review: Government Action
- The UK government is considering measures to facilitate consolidation and strategic partnerships among domestic broadcasters.
- The government's Creative Industries Sector Plan tasks the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) and Ofcom to review the television and advertising markets.
- Recognizing the transforming television market and the need for economies of scale, the government aims to ensure domestic companies can effectively compete.
The UK government is taking decisive action to navigate the turbulent waters of the television market, with a focus on potential broadcaster consolidation. Facing pressures from global streaming services and rising production costs, the government plans to review the TV and advertising markets.This strategic move aims to bolster domestic broadcasters, fostering financial stability and ensuring the creation of distinctively British content. A £75 million “Screen Growth Package” is also on the horizon,signaling investments in film and TV. News Directory 3 highlights this advancement. Keep abreast of these changes. Discover what’s next regarding media ownership and regulatory updates.
UK Government Eyes TV Market Consolidation Amid Streaming Wars
Updated June 23, 2025
The UK government is considering measures to facilitate consolidation and strategic partnerships among domestic broadcasters. This move aims to bolster their competitiveness against the growing influence of American streaming giants and address rising production costs.
The government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan tasks the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) and Ofcom to review the television and advertising markets. The review will assess how changes, like the convergence of broadcast, on-demand, and video sharing, should be considered in future market evaluations. This includes exploring potential mergers between broadcasters to improve financial sustainability and benefit audiences,as well as strategic alliances.
Recognizing the transforming television market and the need for economies of scale, the government aims to ensure domestic companies can effectively compete. The goal is to support the funding and production of distinctively British content.
Conventional broadcasters have faced challenges from streaming services and escalating costs. Previous collaborations include the BBC and ITV’s BritBox venture, though ITV later sold its stake. Recently, ITV, Channel 4, and Sky announced a joint advertising marketplace.
Amid rumors of a potential sale of ITV or its studios division, the government’s focus on consolidation raises questions about whether the CMA and Ofcom’s review will extend to companies based outside the UK. The creative sector plan emphasizes the importance of domestic broadcasters adapting to the changing market and supporting self-reliant producers to retain intellectual property within the UK.
The government plans to update policies and regulations to create a more level playing field for broadcasters. It will also examine how the BBC’s commercial activities can further support both the BBC and the broader industry.
The government aims to make the UK the “best place in the world to make and invest in film and TV” by 2035. To that end, a £75 million “Screen Growth Package” was recently announced. This includes expanding the UK Global Screen Fund to £18 million per year, allocating £25 million to augmented reality and motion capture technology businesses, and investing £10 million to expand the National Film and Television School.
additionally, the government will modernize co-production treaties with Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and identify other valuable treaties to stimulate international collaboration. The british Film Institute (BFI) is also conducting an analysis of potential improvements to the UK’s film and high-end TV tax credit.
Responding to industry demands, the government will appoint a “creative freelance champion” to support the freelance workforce later this year.
What’s next
The CMA and Ofcom are expected to begin their review shortly, with findings anticipated to shape future policy decisions regarding media ownership and regulation in the UK.