How are on-demand services changing TV? Lords ask YouTube, Apple and Amazon
On Tuesday 25 June the House of Lords Communications Committee will visit Amazon's London office to inform its inquiry on public service broadcasters in the age of video on demand. The Committee will then hold two evidence sessions at which it will question representatives from Amazon, YouTube and Apple.
During the visit to Amazon the Committee will hear presentations from employees and be given a tour of its laboratories. The tour is intended to give the Committee a better understanding of the technological aspects of delivering on-demand services.
In its first evidence session the Committee will meet representatives of YouTube. According to one analyst, YouTube accounts for 12 per cent of all video viewing in the UK and 23 per cent of video viewing by 16-34-year-olds. The Committee will investigate why YouTube is so popular with children and young adults.
In the second session the Committee will meet two TV executives with substantial experience of working at public services broadcasters who have been recruited by Amazon and Apple. The Committee will explore the role that Amazon and Apple services intend to play in the TV sector.
The first session will begin at 3.30pm. The Committee will question:
- Mr Marco Pancini, Director of Public Policy, EMEA, YouTube
- Mr Richard Lewis, Head of UK & IRE Content Partnerships, YouTube
Topics for discussion include:
- The extent to which YouTube Premium is a priority for the business
- How successful broadcasters have been in making content available on YouTube
- How YouTube will ensure that it complies with the revised Audio-visual Media Services Directive to protect children from content which may impair their physical, mental or moral development.
The second session will begin at 4.30 pm. The Committee will question:
- Ms Jay Hunt, Creative Director, Europe and Worldwide Video, Apple
- Ms Georgia Brown, Director of European Originals, Amazon
Topics for discussion include:
- The popularity of SVODs with under 35s
- How public policy has supported UK production
- How best to support diversity and regional production
- Whether there is a level playing field in the regulation of SVODs and commercial broadcasters.
