The BBC, the press and online news

21 August 2015

Non-subscribers can download this report in full - alongside all our other coverage of the BBC during the Charter Review process - from the 'BBC Charter Review' page of our site.

The Government’s Green Paper on Charter Renewal asks whether BBC News is “crowding out” commercial news suppliers and, if so, whether this is justified

Our research shows that UK newspaper publishers have been damaged by the internet. They face inherent challenges in monetising online audiences, in common with other news publishers. To be blunt, the BBC plays no role in exacerbating these challenges

Scaling back BBC News will damage the UK’s sole source of impartial, quality and trusted news, whose independence is valued by users in the UK and around the world, risking the UK’s global “soft power”

Recent reports

Broadcast transition to IP: Accelerating, but a long way to go on DTT

1 October 2024

Broadcasters are accelerating their transformation into digital-first businesses. We estimate that 17% of broadcasters' viewing on the TV set will have been delivered by IP this year.

FTA platforms have a more complex migration pathway to IP than pay-TV. Given the existing strength of DTT, and its older demographic profile, DTT will account for more broadcaster viewing hours than satellite/cable combined by 2029.

By 2040, we estimate that half of all broadcaster viewing will be via IP, with broadcast delivery remaining strong due to the live schedule.

Access report

TAR 2026: You can’t always get what you want…

1 October 2024

In the next fixed line regulatory review—TAR 2026—Ofcom is likely to maintain light regulation on Openreach’s pricing levels, while also maintaining strict restrictions on its pricing structures, which both help altnets.

On other matters, none of the interested parties (Openreach/altnets/ISPs) look like getting exactly what they want, but by and large the industry will likely get what it needs—regulatory stability with a broadly pro-investment slant.

The next TAR in 2031 is likely to be more dramatic, but by our estimates, even a full return to cost-based charging will not result in significant wholesale price cuts, which is likely to be a relief to longer term investors in BT and the altnets alike.

Access report

Tread lightly: Response to the CMA’s proposed remedies to the Vodafone-Three merger

30 September 2024

This report is free to access

We view the CMA's proposed remedies to the Vodafone/Three merger as workable, but not necessary.

While acknowledging the reassurance that short-term pricing commitments can provide, we are of the view that going too far risks distorting a highly competitive market.

Aggressive MVNO pricing commitments, in particular, could amplify a significant drain on the operators' capacity to invest, threatening the network promises that the companies are making.

Access report