Public service broadcasting: notes

 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 declined, as audiences increasingly choose to view content at a time that suits them on global online and on-demand content services. These trends are affecting all broadcasters, including the PSB channels.

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

Audiences continue to highly value the purposes and objectives of PSB, including trustworthy

news and programmes that show different aspects of UK life and culture. The PSB channels have

generally fulfilled the statutory PSB remit

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. 

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.

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 andrange 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?

In the same period, the BBC’s revenues from the licence fee have fallen by an

average of 4% each year.

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

Media services for example Sky and on demand services ( e.g Netflix) extend the choice of content available to audiences. Sky has increased spend on original UK drama and has renewed its commitment
to its news service, provided on a free-to-air 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.

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. 

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

The government should hand over decision-making concerning the funding of the BBC to an independent advisory body that works on fixed settlement periods.

5) What does the report say about Channel 4?

Channel 4 occupies a critical place in the public service ecology.Channel 4 should not be privatised – neither in full or in part – and we believe that the government should clarify its view on Channel 4’s future as soon as possible. 

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?

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?

Yes as it is a very successful service operator that is used by a large amount of the public.

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

The BBC will have a role in the 21st century digital world as BBC is viewed as a trustworthy public broadcaster therefore and I think 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?

No it shouldn't as it has currently been working and by changing the license fee would only complicate it further and possible result in a decline in viewers.