**Title:** BBC’s Wolf Hall Director Urges Action Against Streaming Giants
**Meta Description:** Peter Kosminsky calls for a streaming levy to protect UK public service broadcasting from US competition, emphasizing the need for government action.
**URL Slug:** wolf-hall-director-streaming-levy
**Headline:** Wolf Hall Director Calls for Government Action to Protect UK Broadcasting
Peter Kosminsky, the director of the acclaimed BBC period drama “Wolf Hall,” has urged the UK government to take a stand against the influence of American streaming services to safeguard the future of public service broadcasting. Speaking on Sky News, Kosminsky emphasized the urgent need for a streaming levy to support high-quality British television production, warning that the industry faces “decimation” without such measures.
His remarks come in the wake of a report from the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) committee, which advocates for enhanced government support for the UK’s drama sector and the preservation of distinctly British content. The report specifically calls for major streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, and Disney+—all based in the US—to contribute 5% of their UK subscriber revenue to a cultural fund aimed at financing drama that resonates with British audiences.
Kosminsky, who presented evidence to the committee earlier this year, referred to the global tariffs introduced by former President Donald Trump as “the elephant in the room.” He expressed concern that these tariffs might deter the government from implementing a streaming levy, but he stressed that such a levy is essential to protect the long-standing tradition of public service broadcasting in the UK.
He stated, “We must defend a hundred years of honourable tradition of public service broadcasting in this country and not let it falter due to fear of repercussions from the bully in the States.” Kosminsky also pointed out that streaming services could apply for funding from the proposed cultural fund if they engage in co-productions with UK public service broadcasters.
Earlier this year, a White House memorandum criticized levies on US streaming services as “one-sided, anti-competitive policies” that infringe on American sovereignty. In response to the proposed streaming levy, a Netflix spokesperson argued that such a move would “penalize audiences” and “diminish competitiveness,” asserting that the UK is Netflix’s largest production hub outside North America.
The Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services (COBA) echoed these concerns, warning that the levy could harm UK growth and the global success of the UK television sector.
In conclusion, the call for a streaming levy highlights the ongoing tension between UK public service broadcasting and the dominance of American streaming giants, raising important questions about the future of British content in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
**FAQ:**
**Q: What is the proposed streaming levy?**
A: The streaming levy is a suggested requirement for US-based streaming services to contribute 5% of their UK subscriber revenue to a cultural fund supporting British television production.
