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.