Lords to ask Netflix if they are unwilling to co-produce shows with British production companies
On Tuesday 2 July the House of Lords Communications Committee will meet representatives from Netflix and ITV, including ITV's CEO, Dame Carolyn McCall, to discuss issues raised in its inquiry on the future of public service broadcasting in the age of video on demand.
The proportion of UK households subscribing to Netflix has grown rapidly in recent years. But some witnesses to the inquiry have questioned its commitment to making British programming except to serve American audiences. The Committee will ask Netflix if this is a fair assessment and explore a range of other topics.
ITV is the UK's largest commercial public sector broadcaster. In its second session, the Committee will ask ITV if it can remain viable as more and more advertising moves online. The Committee will also investigate the public service remit of ITV and consider how ITV can better appeal to young people while remaining true to this remit.
The first session will begin at 3.30pm. The Committee will question:
- Anne Mensah, Vice-President, Content, Netflix
- Benjamin King, Director, Public Policy UK, Netflix
Topics for discussion include:
- Netflix's role in the TV sector
- Supporting diversity of talent, both on and off screen, and regional productions
- The High-End TV tax relief
- Netflix's relationships with production partners.
The second session will begin at 4.30 pm. The Committee will question:
- Dame Carolyn McCall, CEO, ITV
- Kevin Lygo, Director of Television, ITV
- Magnus Brooke, Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, ITV
Topics for discussion include:
- ITV's public service remit
- Diversity on screen and off
- ITV's approach to co-producing programmes and trends in co-production?
- Britbox, the proposed streaming service for BBC and ITV content.
