BBC Director General Tim Davie has called for a national plan for IP switchover in the UK in the 2030s.
In a speech at MediaCity in Salford this week, Davie also said the BBC is examining proposals for a new streaming media device to deliver PSB content.
The announcements came as Davie set out a vision for the BBC as a catalyst for building trust. He warned that the UK must make a series of bold, urgent choices to reverse the erosion of societal trust, and said the BBC should play a central role in this renewal.
He told the audience that the public service broadcaster can become “an institution that builds social capital and stimulates growth in the online, AI age.”
Among the ideas floated, he said the BBC is exploring a national plan for IP switchover in the 2030s. “We believe the BBC can play a vital role in helping to support audiences to transition to digital in a way that’s fair and equitable, where access is guaranteed and no one is left behind.”
“To help, we want to double down on Freely as a universal free service to deliver live TV over broadband. And we are considering a streaming media device with Freely capabilities built in, with a radically simplified user interface specifically designed to help those yet to benefit from IP services.”
Davie also pledged to dramatically increase the presence of BBC News on platforms like YouTube and TikTok to “ensure we have a stronger position amidst the noise,” and to deploy AI “responsibly alongside trusted BBC journalism to create a new, gold standard fact-checking tool.”
He also said the BBC is exploring whether educational initiative BBC Bitesize and agentic AI could create a personal learning companion for every single child aged 7-16.
.jpg)
Expanded Future Tech to showcase the very best in innovation, technology and talent
After a successful debut in 2025, Future Tech returns to Hall 14 of the RAI this year, with more features, more innovation and more of the technologies shaping the next era of media and entertainment.
.jpg)
UK TV industry advocates out-of-hours guidelines
The UK television industry has backed new guidelines to minimise out-of-hours contact to help improve work-life balance in the sector.
.jpg)
EU approves Paramount's WBD acquisition with conditions
The European Commission has approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed $110bn acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Isabel Davis to become Director of BFI Filmmaking Funds
The British Film Institute (BFI) has named Isabel Davis as Director of its BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Funds.
Netflix uses GenAI on 300 titles in 2026
Netflix has revealed that nearly 300 titles on its platform have used generative AI, from early concept stages and pre-visualisation through to post-production and release.
