ONLINE:
Wednesday 7th October 2026 at 6.00pm

Event Description

Tectonic Changes in TV: What's Next for British Television?

British television is going through the biggest upheaval in a generation – and it's happening on multiple fronts at once.

US media giants are reshaping the landscape: with Sky's acquisition of ITV and Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. Both could have major knock-ons for UK commissioning decisions, and the kind of content that gets made here. Meanwhile, the BBC is grappling with funding pressures and cutbacks, and the very future of the licence fee itself is being questioned as part of next year’s Charter Renewal.

At the same time, viewing habits are shifting fast. YouTube has become a genuine rival to traditional broadcasters. Streaming services are pulling audiences away from linear TV. There’s an ongoing debate about how to protect public service broadcasting. And there’ll soon be a government decision on when to switch off Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).

Individually, any one of these changes would be significant. Together, they raise a much bigger question: what will British television actually look like in 5 or 10 years' time?

Join the Media Society for a live online panel discussion bringing together broadcasting experts to discuss what's driving these changes and how it will affect viewers and wider society. 

Panel to be announced.