The television industry is undergoing a profound transformation as it shifts towards an IP-delivered future, redefining how audiences access and engage with content. While commercial streaming services often optimise their sign-in processes for their target audiences, older, digitally limited, or more vulnerable consumers may struggle with these systems. Yet as Public Service Broadcasters and other essential TV services move online, signing in will no longer be optional – it will be necessary for everyone.
This transition offers an opportunity to ‘bake in’ significant benefits for the viewer, including enhanced content personalisation, improved accessibility features, and deeper audience insights. However, it also presents critical challenges, particularly in ensuring that all users – regardless of their technical literacy, socio-economic status, or physical ability -can continue to access essential television services without friction.
Commercial streaming platforms have long optimised their sign-in processes to cater to their core user bases, leveraging user authentication for personalisation, targeted advertising, and content recommendations. While these systems may be streamlined for more tech-savvy users, they can present obstacles for older individuals, those with limited digital skills, and other vulnerable groups. Complex password requirements, multi-step or multi-device authentication, and inconsistent user interfaces across platforms can create significant barriers, leading to frustration or, worse, complete disengagement.
As Public Service Broadcasters and other essential television providers transition to IP delivery, the need for a robust yet inclusive sign-in experience becomes even more pressing. Unlike commercial platforms, which operate within a competitive market, PSBs have a responsibility to serve the entire population, including those who may struggle with digital technologies. In this evolving landscape, signing in will no longer be a convenience but a necessity. Failing to address accessibility concerns could lead to digital exclusion risking them being cut off from vital public information services.
To mitigate this risk, the industry must work collectively towards a seamless, intuitive, and widely accessible sign-in framework.
This new report from the End User Experience and Accessibility DTG Working Group provides an analysis of the current sign-in landscape, assessing existing authentication mechanisms and identifying key pain points that prioritise accessibility and user experience.
By addressing these challenges proactively, broadcasters, policymakers, and technology providers can work together to preserve universal access to television content, ensuring that no viewer—regardless of age, ability, or digital familiarity—is left behind in the streaming era.
