Lords Communications Committee begins work on BBC Charter renewal with evidence sessions with media analysts and independent production companies

The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee will next week take evidence from media analysts and independent production companies as it starts a series of evidence sessions on BBC Charter renewal.

Between now and the summer recess, the Committee will hear from a range of key witnesses on the future of the BBC, including the BBC itself.

The first session will take place on Tuesday 2 June from 2:30pm in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords. The full witnesses details are:

2:30pm

• Gill Hind, Managing Director, Media, Enders Analysis
• Professor Catherine Johnson, Professor of Media and Communication, University of Leeds
• Chris Waiting, Steering Group Member, British Broadcasting Challenge

3:30pm

• David Abraham, Founder and CEO, Wonderhood Studios
• Jane Tranter, CEO, Bad Wolf
• Nigel Warner, CEO, PACT

In the first session the Committee will ask the witnesses about the challenges the BBC and other public service broadcasters face, particularly in relation to international streaming services and technology firms; whether the BBC should make greater use of third-party platforms such as YouTube to reach audiences; and how UK public service broadcasters can work together to meet the challenges posed by competition from global companies.

In the second session the Committee will hear about the impact of these challenges on UK independent producers, as well as discussing how the proposed changes to the BBC Charter might affect their business models. Questions may also explore the BBC's role in supporting the wider UK creative economy, particularly outside London and the South-East.