Public service Broadcasting

 Ofcom review of PSB in Britain

1) Look at page 3. Why is it a critical time for public service broadcasting? 

Audience viewing habits continue to change rapidly and competition from global content providers is ever-increasing. 

2) Read page 4. How has TV viewing changed in recent years? 

Live broadcast viewing has been declined, as audiences increasingly choose to view content at a time that suits them on global online and on-demand content services.

3) Still on page 4, what aspects of PSB do audiences value and enjoy? 

Audiences value the purposes and objectives of PSB, including trustworthy news and programmes that show different aspects of UK life and culture. 

4) Look at pages 4-5. Find and note down the statistics in this section on how much TV audiences tend to watch and how they watch it. 

Audiences watch, on average, over three hours of live broadcast TV each day and over half of that is to the PSB channels. 

5) Read the section on page 5 discussing the importance of PSB. Again, find the statistics and explain the value of public service broadcasting in Britain.

The PSB channels are still distinctive in the amount and range of first-run, original UK programmes they broadcast. Collectively, they provide audiences with approximately 32,000 hours of new UK content in a wide range of subjects, including news, current affairs, drama and children’s programmes.

6) Look at the section on commercial challenges. How have revenues fallen for PSB channels?

Between 2014 and 2018, net advertising revenue for the advertising-funded PSB channels has fallen by an average rate of 3.8% per year equivalent to approximately £325m.

7) Read page 6. What services increasingly play a role in our media lives in the digital age? 

Sky and on-demand services like Netflix, extend the choice of content available to audiences. Some have increased their investment in original UK content and so made a valuable contribution to a thriving UK media industry. Sky has increased spend on original UK drama and has renewed its commitment to its news service, provided on a free-to-air basis. basis. SVoD services have been particularly effective in engaging younger audiences, and our research suggests audiences aged 16-34 years old are more likely to watch a BBC programme on Netflix than the BBC iPlayer.

Goldsmiths report on Public Service TV

1) What does the report state has changed in the UK television market in the last 20 years?

The proliferation of channels has reduced the market share of the public service broadcasters – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – although they have largely retained their prominence and developed portfolio services. Sky has emerged as a major force, contributing to the success of pay television.

2) Look at page 4. What are the principles that the report suggests need to be embedded in regulation of public service broadcasting in future?

Principles of independence, universality, citizenship, quality and diversity need to be embedded into the regulation and funding of an emerging digital media landscape.

3) What does the report say about the BBC?

The BBC is the most important part of the television ecology, but the model of universality \   underpinning its public service credentials is under threat. The BBC has been contracting in real terms and it is hard to sustain the case that it is damaging competitors.The licence fee is vulnerable in the face of changes in technology and consumption, and it is in any case far from an ideal system: it has failed to guarantee real independence and is charged at a flat rate.

4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?

The BBC should be funded with a more progressive funding mechanism such as a tiered platform-neutral household fee, a supplement to Council tax or funding via general taxation with appropriate with appropriate parlimentary safeguards. 

5) What does the report say about Channel 4?

Channel 4 supports the independent production sector and airs content specifically aimed at diverse audiences. It had to cut programme spending as it has largely abandoned arts programming and has been criticised for not doing enough for older children. In addition, it has been threatened with privatisation which would threaten it's public service remit. 

6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?

Channel 4 should significantly increase its provision for older children and young adults and restore some of the arts programming that has been in decline in recent years. 

7) Look at page 10 - new kids on the block. What does the report say about new digital content providers and their link to public service broadcasting?

That the growing contribution to a digital media ecology made by these cultural institutions should be boosted by a specific public intervention. 

Final questions - YOUR opinion on public service broadcasting

1) Should the BBC retain its position as the UK’s public service broadcaster?

I believe they should as they have been operating for over 100 years and they have been dealing well with the introduction of digital media such as creating BBC iPlayer. 

2) Is there a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world?

I think that the BBC will have a role in the 21st century digital world as BBC is viewed as a trustworthy public broadcaster therefore and i believe if they start introducing more on demand content they could play an even more important role than they do now. 

3) Should the BBC funding model (licence fee) change? How?

I don't think they should change the funding model as i believe this method has worked and creating a new method may just cause confusion and possibly a decline in viewers.