UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy has said that the government is prepared to change legislation to ensure that YouTube carries public service content prominently.
“Public service media content should be prominent on major video sharing platforms and on fair commercial returns. If we need to regulate, we will,” Nandy said.
Speaking at the Royal Television Society’s Cambridge Convention, the culture secretary did not name YouTube, but it was the clear target of her comments.
It follows an intervention from Ofcom in July, which used its Future of Public Service Media report to state that the government must “ensure that PSB content is prominent” on YouTube.
YouTube’s startling growth as a TV platform has become a significant industry talking point in recent months. Ofcom’s research found YouTube was second only to the BBC in terms of proportion of UK viewing last year.
YouTube has been approached for comment. It did not respond to a request for comment when asked about Ofcom’s proposals in July.
Nandy said she would “prefer [the] industry to come together to move on this and move quickly,” but said the government would be ready to step in should it need to do so.
More follows.