 Committee said the new rules meant broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 may axe less commercially successful shows in areas such as religion, international matters and science. The warning follows scrutiny of the Government's draft media bill, which is aimed at safeguarding traditional broadcasters amid tough competition from streaming rivals such as Netflix and Disney . Under a planned overhaul of the public service remit, channels will no longer be required to provide specific genres of programming, with the exception of news and current affairs. Instead, they will have a shorter remit to provide a broad range of content which is 'likely to meet the needs and interests of as many different audiences as practicable'. John Whittingdale, media minister, insisted the changes will give broadcasters greater flexibility without impacting the range of shows available. But MPs warned the move could lead to a sharp reduction in less commercially attractive programmes, such as religion and other beliefs. Religious programming has all but disappeared from British TV screens amid a broader decline in faith across the country. The BBC has said it will not be affected by the new laws as it is subject to its own quotas under the Charter. However, it has already earmarked Songs of Praise – which is the biggest religious show in the UK with more than one million viewers – for cuts, warning it could slash the programme's budget by up to 12.5pc from £4m to £3.5m. Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairman of the CMS Committee, said: 'With significant legislation like this coming along only once in a generation, it is vital the Government gets it right. 'Our proposed changes to the Bill will ensure it is proportionate, future-proofed in a world of shifting viewing habits and rapid technological change, and most importantly in the ve){kind=link}
Less commercially attractive programmes face chop under planned overhaul
Religious programmes could disappear from TV screens following an overhaul of UK broadcasting laws, MPs have warned.
The Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee said the new rules meant broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 may axe less commercially successful shows in areas such as religion, international matters and science.
The warning follows scrutiny of the Government’s draft media bill, which is aimed at safeguarding traditional broadcasters amid tough competition from streaming rivals such as Netflix and Disney.
Under a planned overhaul of the public service remit, channels will no longer be required to provide specific genres of programming, with the exception of news and current affairs.