Channel 4 Calls on Government to Secure Better Terms from YouTube and Video Platforms

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

Channel 4 has urged the UK government to mandate improved commercial terms from YouTube and other major video platforms to help public service broadcasters earn more revenue from online content. The broadcaster argues that without regulatory protections and greater transparency, current voluntary agreements are financially unsustainable and threaten the viability of public service media.

Channel 4 has called on the UK government to take regulatory action compelling YouTube and other major global video platforms to offer improved commercial conditions that would enable public service broadcasters to generate more revenue from online content.

The broadcaster, which is currently operating at a loss, expressed concerns in a recent submission to a government consultation that voluntary commercial agreements with international platforms do not provide a sustainable financial model for public service media (PSM) organizations. Channel 4 argued that public service content should be made available to platforms on a zero net fee basis, without charges imposed on advertising revenue or distribution.

In its submission, Channel 4 proposed that content from key UK public service broadcasters—including the BBC, ITV, Channel 5, and Channel 4 itself—should be granted greater visibility on popular platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. The broadcaster also urged the government to require platforms to provide more comprehensive viewing data to public service media, enhancing transparency and enabling better monetization strategies.

Highlighting what it described as “unsustainable” commercial terms, Channel 4 noted that YouTube typically takes a 45% share of advertising revenue generated from content, which the broadcaster said undermines the ability of PSM providers to continue investing in high-quality programming. The submission further criticized other third-party video platforms for lacking transparency regarding the advertising revenue generated by PSM content and the corresponding revenue shares returned to broadcasters.

Channel 4 emphasized the need for legislation that establishes binding protections for public service broadcasters in their dealings with major third-party video platforms. According to its submission, voluntary agreements alone cannot guarantee the future viability of PSM as essential media infrastructure.

Requests for comment from YouTube on Channel 4’s proposals were not immediately responded to.

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