A new report from British regulators shows that younger people prefer streaming services over regular TV channels like BBC, ITV, and Channel 4, which "lack personal relevance."
According to Daily Mail, the Office of Communications or Ofcom shows the report also noted that companies such as Netflix excite younger views with its "strong social media marketing" as they "work harder" at online promotion. Its broadcasting regulator found Netflix and YouTube were the 'first port of call' for teenagers, with long-established TV networks at risk of losing younger audiences. In contrast, BBC programs do not attract younger people because they do not give out interesting topics to trigger small talks.
The report also pointed out that streaming companies such as Netflix entice younger views with "strong social media marketing," with a survey of viewers indicating they 'work harder' at promoting online.
However, reality TV shows such as ITV's Love Island and sport and soap programs remained youngsters' favorites.
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Scrapping free TV earned public ire
The Ofcom report also finds a growing public ire of public service providers like due to some factors such as their perception over BBC and the brands irrelevant to them, disgust against license fee, and resentment that people aged over 75 now have to pay.
This follows their decision to scrap free TV licenses for those over 75 years old starting August. Most of the affected audience are from lower socio-economic clusters, including minority groups.
The Ofcom report also found that a small group of Gen Z viewers became more hostile towards the BBC and other public broadcasting services (PSBs) because they have less engagement with these services.
Meanwhile, those who held a "stronger dislike" feel that BBC has insufficient "relevant content" and bears bias in the news it delivers, and they also feel "that the brand is actively uninterested in them" as it targets other people. "Overall, there is little sense of shared values or identity," the Ofcom wrote in its report.
The free TV license began in 2000, but in 2015, the BBC agreed to shoulder the scheme's cost as part of its charter agreement. However, due to stiffer competition between streaming companies, it can no longer continue with the free service.
According to Sky News, BBC Chairman Sir David Clementi said their decision "has not been easy." However, Clementi reasoned out that the government sets and controls such measures.
The new payment scheme will affect around 1.5 million households with residents who are over 75 years old and receive Pension Credit. Clementi also shared that 450,000 have already applied to the new programming and pay £157.50 every year.
Meanwhile, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the BBC announced trim its TV news and local radio jobs in England, around 450 jobs in BBC News, and at least 150 roles in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
According to Julian Knight, chairman of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, the BBC's decision will be a huge blow among millions of pensioners in the United Kingdom.
Knight also said he hoped that the previous delay would trigger the government and BBC to bring out a fresh deal, but that did not happen.
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Written by CJ Robles,
