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? 
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.

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. 
However, television and radio remain an important part of our media lives. We still watch, on average, over three hours of live broadcast TV each day and over half of that is to the PSB channels. Television also remains the best way to reach large audiences; and, broadcast news is still widely considered to be accurate and trustworthy


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.

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 (compound annual growth rate or CAGR2) equivalent to

approximately £325m. 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? 

Commercial broadcasters like Sky and on-demand serviceslike 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. Notably, 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

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?
 The proliferation of channels has reduced the market share of the public service broadcasters

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?

• In return for public service broadcasters meeting the obligations of their licences, their 4 content should be guaranteed prominence on electronic programme guides, smart TVs and on the interfaces of on-demand players as they emerge.
• Retransmission fees should be paid by pay-TV platforms to public service television operators 

  Ofcom should supplement its occasional reviews of public service broadcasting with a regular qualitative audit of public service content.
• Ofcom should continue to monitor the independent production sector and take action, where necessary

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.

4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?
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?
Channel 4 occupies a critical place in the public service ecology – supporting the independent production sector and airing content aimed specifically at diverse audiences.

6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?
Channel 4 shouldn’t be privatised. They should increase provision for older kids and young adults.

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?
from Sky and other commercial broadcasters, on subscription video-on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon, and through the new Local TV services. Meanwhile, a broad range of cultural institutions – including museums, performing arts institutions and community organisations – are now producing video content of public service character.

Final questions - YOUR opinion on public service broadcasting

1) Should the BBC retain its position as the UK’s public service broadcaster?
Yes, they are doing a good job in their position.

2) Is there a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world?
Yes. The news and radio because a lot of people listen to the radio in their cars or watch the news on TV

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

No, however it is easy to just pass through into the BBC as its easy just to say you have a TV license where you might not actually have one so it's not very well monitored