Channel 4, ITV and Channel 5 are backing the BBC’s push for new laws guaranteeing their shows will get more prominent positions on streaming services than competitors such as Sky or Netflix. The House of Lords will debate an amendment to the digital economy bill on Monday that would extend rules that give the UK’s public service broadcasters top billing on electronic programme guides. Channel 4’s chief marketing and communications officer, Dan Brooke, said it was important that regulation kept pace with changing habits. “This proposed update is vital to ensure that audiences can continue to easily find the high-quality programmes that they love most from Channel 4 and the other public service broadcasters,” he said. Though they are run commercially, Channel 4, ITV and Channel 5 are designated as public service broadcasters and operate on tighter licences than rivals overseen by regulator Ofcom.

Source: The Guardian March 20, 2017 16:07 UTC