MIGRAIN: Industries - Public service broadcasting

 Ofcom review of PSB in Britain

In 2020 Ofcom published its findings from a five year review of public service broadcasting in Britain. Read the introduction to their report - pages 3-7. You'll need your Greenford Google login to view the document.

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

It a critical time for PBS due to rapidly shifting audience habits and increasing competition from global content providers.

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

TV viewing has changed as live broadcasting has dropped significantly as people prefer to watch TV at a time that conveniences 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 trustworthy programmes that show different aspects of British culture and life

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. 

On average, people watch three hours of live broadcast TV a day and over half of that is on PBS 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.

They provide audiences ~32,000 hours of new content to the UK with a wide range of topics such as news, current affairs, dramas, children programmes that outweighs what available on other commercial broadcast channels and global streaming services.

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

Revenue has fallen at an average rate of 3.8% annually eqivilant to £325 million.

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

Other media services play a part in the extended choice of content available to audiences notably Sky increasing spending on original UK content and research shows that audiences aged 16-34 are more likely to watch a BBC programme on Netflix rather than BBC iplayer.

Goldsmiths report on Public Service TV

Read this report from Goldsmiths University - A future for public service television: content and platforms in a digital world.

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

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?

The report suggests public service broadcasters should have guaranteed prominence on electronic interfaces due to demand, retransmission fees should be paid by the platforms, Ofcom should publish occasional reveiws on broadcasting services and monitor independent production sector and take actor where necessary.

3) What does the report say about the BBC?

BBC is the most important part of the tv ecology yet it damages it's competitors due to compromisation of the establishment.

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

It says BBC should be funded by a more progressive funding mechanism such as such as a tiered platform-neutral household fee, a supplement to Council Tax or funding via general taxation with appropriate parliamentary safeguards. 

5) What does the report say about Channel 4?

It supports the independent sector and aims specifically at more diverse audiences but it's cut arts programmes and programmes for older children.

6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?

It should not be privatised, increase provisions for older children and younger adults, should continue innovation and experimenting.

Final questions - YOUR opinion on public service broadcasting

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

Yes due to it's reliability, popularity and convienient nature as people have been used to it's monopoly on the news for generations.

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

Yes, they are able to stay ahead via online news websites, and digital news stories via social media.

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

It should due to issues with fairness and sustainability, hybrid models of advertisements and general taxation.