Guidance

Future of TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum: Minutes 4 - 22 July 2025

Published 23 June 2026

Minutes of a meeting held on 22 July 2025.

Attendees 

DCMS 

Chair: Robert Specterman-Green, Director, Media and International
Mark Griffin, Deputy Director, TV and Broadcasting Policy

DSIT

Catherine Page, Deputy Director, Wireless Infrastructure, Spectrum and Consumer Policy

Ofcom

Ed Leighton, Group Director for Strategy and Research

Working Group Chairs

TV Sector Working Group Chair: Gill Hind, Enders
Infrastructure Working Group Chair: Richard Lindsay-Davies, Digital TV Group
Audiences Working Group Chair: Professor Catherine Johnson, University of Leeds

Members

Andrew Wileman, VM02
Colin Browne, Voice of the Listener and Viewer
David Powell, Local TV Network
Dennis Reed, Silver Voices
Ed Leighton, Ofcom
Elin Morris, S4C
Elizabeth Anderson, Digital Poverty Alliance
Emma Leech, Ofcom
Emma Whitmore, Amagi
Hannah Whealan, Good things foundation
Helen Burrows, BBC
Jonathan Thompson, Everyone TV
Khalid Hayat, Channel 4
Laurie Patten, Arqiva
Magnus Brooke, ITV
Matthew Evans, Tech UK
Mitchell Simmons, Paramount
Morna MacArthur, STV
Nigel Dacre, Comux
Professor Steven Barnett, University of Westminster
Shamil Jobanputra , BT
Thomas Walker, Sky

Summary

The chair welcomed members to the third meeting of the forum and apologised for the absence of the minister. The chair encouraged members to think collaboratively about solutions to issues raised in the three papers, which were: a paper on Internet Access and Speeds by the Audiences group; a paper on Usability produced by the TV Sector group; and the UK IP Ecosystem Readiness paper submitted by the Infrastructure group. The papers as submitted to the forum will be published on GOV.UK alongside these minutes.

The Chair of the Audiences Working Group summarised the Internet Access and Speeds paper, referencing three key barriers to internet access for IPTV (internet protocol television) access: the lack of access to infrastructure; the lack of access to smart TV technology; and usability, skills and affordability. It was noted that the latter is not just an IPTV problem and if addressed, could have large economic and social benefits. The chair acknowledged that, while skills training will still be required, it is better to design for usability, as this could benefit all users. Finally, the chair suggested that there should be clear where the responsibility lies when issues arise. 

Discussion of the internet access and speeds paper focussed broadly on two areas: affordability and usability. Members raised that current affordability solutions, such as social tariffs and national data banks, do not address the needs of the most vulnerable groups, and that a solution would need to be reached by both government and industry. Communication was highlighted as a key point in usability: users must be made aware of where to go should things go wrong. Concluding, it was noted that solutions in this area would require collaboration and efforts from both government and industry.

The Chair of the Infrastructure Working Group summarised the UK IP Ecosystem Readiness paper, beginning with the headline conclusion that the UK IP infrastructure is theoretically capable of supporting a transition to IPTV. The chair acknowledged that network infrastructure providers have made significant progress, but that a targeted digital inclusion programme would also be necessary. Collaboration was mentioned as a key requirement in reducing congestion and user experience, such as liaising about content clashes and live event traffic management. The need for a structured, proactive consumer support scheme, such as public information and campaigns, was also mentioned. 

Members suggested that education was an important factor in ensuring consumers understand what technology is needed to improve in-home distribution, such as Wi-Fi extenders. There was an acknowledgement that simplification and communication could contribute to this. Some members raised concerns that the inclusion of pilot projects in the paper’s timeline may adversely affect consumers, particularly if pilots were to start before all issues had been resolved. 

Discussion moved onto challenges surrounding live events. Members noted that technology is constantly under development and that by 2034, issues surrounding buffering and time delay would likely be eradicated. Members indicated that some content providers fail to give advanced notice of content clashes, which contributes to difficulties; that these were global companies and therefore UK regulation may not be sufficient in tackling this was acknowledged. 

To the earlier point on the timeline, members clarified that the roadmap included in the paper was not intended to represent a conclusion regarding transition and DCMS clarified that no decision had yet been taken by government. 

The Chair of the TV Sector Working group summarised the Usability paper, which looked first at user experiences during the transition from analogue terrestrial television to digital terrestrial television (DTT). In the digital switchover, responsibilities were split between broadcasters and manufacturers: the former led content and advertising, the latter hardware and sales. Ofcom and Digital UK, meanwhile, ensured relative consistency among users. The introduction of IPTV was acknowledged to be more complex, requiring manufacturers and TV operating systems, content providers and platform providers. The benefits for the user include more content as well as voice navigation for older, more vulnerable consumers and increased access features. Disadvantages include increased complexity and more products being offered by different services. The chair suggested that broadcasters, manufacturers and platforms work together on usability guidelines regarding remote, voice and on-screen navigation. While sign-in was deemed relatively simple, removing sign-in for PSB content would be detrimental for targeted advertising and personalisation. Proactive support was highlighted as key, alongside simple design, signposting and assistance, to ensure the most vulnerable users retain access. 

Members discussed the paper’s core principles and put forward a range of views. The need for standards and requirements were viewed as going beyond TV into wider digital inclusion. Given that Barb data shows a fast increase in internet-only households, members noted that the fast-paced development of the market must also be considered. Members also pointed out that digital inclusion benefits content providers as well as consumers, as they see no reason to prevent audiences from accessing content. 

Regarding sign-in, members raised that other digital skills such as setting up an email and password are also relevant. That industry could work to simplify logins was also noted. The importance of postcodes in providing local coverage was recognised by members. Consumer choice was also mentioned as a factor in logins, in that some consumers may not want to login, even if they were technologically capable of doing so. Finally, it was suggested that industry collaboration would be needed to solve arising issues, as it can be unclear where these occurred in the chain.

Drawing the meeting to a close, the forum chair restated that no decision had been taken by government, and that usability and accessibility were common themes across the papers. Collaboration across the chain was highlighted as the necessary key to success, particularly regarding affordability.