A senior BBC executive has called for BBC shows to be given prominence over rivals Sky and Netflix in electronic programme guides.
James Purnell, director of radio and education, says the current trend for curating highlights and promoting on demand services means that EPG positions – where public service broadcasters take at least the first five slots – are becoming less significant.
“On the new Sky box, Sky Q, there is no one button on the remote control that takes you to live TV. Instead, ‘Home’ takes you to Top Picks: a set of recommended programmes chosen by Sky,” said Purnell.
The issue will be debated in the House of Lords on Monday.
“If we don’t update the rules, we’re at serious risk of losing something very special about our British culture,” Purnell wrote.
Sky dismissed the comments as “blatant self-interest”.