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The government published a Media Green Paper on 23 June 2026 setting out options to require social media companies to give trusted news sources a more prominent place in people's feeds. The consultation, titled Watch this Space: A new strategic direction for UK media, also covers the long term future of terrestrial TV broadcasting and new protections for free to air sporting events.
The paper is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's most significant review of public service broadcasting in years. The public consultation runs for ten weeks, closing at 23:59 on 31 August 2026.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Published: 23 June 2026 by DCMS; consultation closes 31 August 2026
- Social media: Ofcom data shows social media is the main news source for three quarters of 16 to 24 year olds; more than half of all UK adults now use it for news updates
- PSM prominence: Options to require platforms to surface BBC, ITV, STV, Channel 4, S4C and Channel 5 news higher in search results and feeds
- TV transition: Two timelines under consultation, a managed move away from digital terrestrial TV (DTT) by either 2034 or 2044
- Listed Events: On demand rights for the World Cup, Olympics and Wimbledon to be added to the free to air regime
The Case for Prominencing Trusted News
Social media platforms and video sharing sites increasingly shape what news people encounter, but unlike traditional broadcasting there are no rules governing how content is ranked or surfaced. The Green Paper argues that without intervention, algorithms risk pushing less accurate material ahead of regulated public interest journalism.
The government is consulting on options to require platforms to make news from public service media (PSM) providers, the BBC, ITV, STV, Channel 4, S4C and Channel 5 more discoverable. One possible model would place national and local news publishers from these outlets near the top of results when users search for news. The paper also floats extending PSM designation in future to other broadcasters and YouTube channels.
PSM Providers Currently in Scope
- BBC: National and regional services across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- ITV / STV: UK wide commercial public broadcaster and its Scottish equivalent
- Channel 4: Publicly owned commercial broadcaster with a statutory remit
- S4C: Welsh language public service broadcaster
- Channel 5: Commercial PSM provider
A new media literacy duty is also being explored, which would require PSM providers to deliver and report on media literacy activity. The aim is to help people of all ages critically evaluate the content they encounter online.
The Future of Terrestrial Television
The government reaffirmed its commitment to digital terrestrial television until at least the end of 2034, but acknowledged a long term shift is already under way. More households are moving to internet based viewing, watching live and on demand content across devices rather than through aerial signals.
The Green Paper consults on two options for a managed transition to internet based TV distribution:
Option A: Transition by 2034
- Timeline: Transition coincides with current DTT commitment end date
- Rationale: Government says there is a strong case for acting sooner, given the pace of technology and audience shifts
- Infrastructure: Near universal broadband access targeted by 2032 provides the foundation
- Support: Package of targeted assistance, information campaigns and access support to prevent anyone being left behind
Option B: Transition by 2044
- Timeline: A decade longer to allow wider digital inclusion and infrastructure maturity
- Rationale: Recognises the challenges of a full switch off, particularly for older and more vulnerable households
- Consultation: Responses to the Green Paper will inform the government's preferred timeline, to be announced later in 2026
- Digital participation: The shift could support wider access to healthcare, banking and public services for currently offline households
Protecting Free Access to Major Sporting Events
The Listed Events regime has guaranteed the British public free to air access to major sporting fixtures since 1996. The Green Paper confirms the government intends to extend it to cover on demand rights, closing a gap that has emerged as streaming platforms compete to acquire catch up and clip rights.
The World Cup 2022 Final was watched by more than 20 million people on BBC and ITV. Under current rules, only live broadcast rights fall within the regime. Adding on demand rights would mean that highlights, replays and digital catch up for events such as the World Cup, Olympics and Wimbledon must remain free to access on public service platforms.
Policy Context
The Green Paper sits within the government's wider effort to modernise the regulatory framework for UK media. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the government needed to act as the media landscape moved "further and further online away from traditional broadcasting", to ensure the country's public service media sector could continue to thrive.
ITV Chief Executive Carolyn McCall welcomed the consultation, noting that PSM providers underpin the wider creative economy through original British content production. The Good Things Foundation, which works on digital inclusion, said any transition to internet only TV delivery must be matched by targeted support for the millions of households not yet online or confident with digital services.
What the Green Paper Consults On
- PSM prominence on social media: Requiring platforms to surface regulated news sources higher in search and feed results
- PSM reform: More flexibility for broadcasters and possible expansion of who can be designated a PSM provider
- DTT transition: A managed move to internet based TV delivery by either 2034 or 2044, with support for those at risk of being left behind
- Listed Events: Extending the free to air regime to cover on demand rights for events including the World Cup, Olympics and Wimbledon
- Media literacy: A possible new duty on PSM providers to deliver and report on media literacy activity
What Happens Next
The consultation closes on 31 August 2026. The government says it will set out its preferred timeline for the DTT transition later this year, informed by responses received. Any legislative changes to the PSM framework or Listed Events regime would require further parliamentary time.
For now, the Green Paper is a consultation document, not policy. None of its proposals have legal force. Platforms, broadcasters, charities and members of the public have until 31 August to submit responses via the DCMS consultation portal.
Key Takeaways
- The government published a Media Green Paper on 23 June 2026, consulting on how to reform public service broadcasting for the digital era
- Social media is now the main news source for three quarters of 16 to 24 year olds, according to Ofcom, the Green Paper proposes requiring platforms to surface PSM news more prominently
- Two timelines are proposed for ending digital terrestrial TV 2034 or 2044, with a decision expected later this year
- On demand rights for the World Cup, Olympics and Wimbledon would be added to the free to air Listed Events regime
- The public consultation closes at 23:59 on 31 August 2026, no changes take legal effect until further legislation is passed