Public service broadcasting: blog tasks

 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 are ever changing and global content providers are increasingly competitive.  

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

•  People are watching PSB channel less as they are no longer the audiences preferred or only PSB channel
• Popularity in online and on demand services has increased
• PSB channels have responded to these changes by setting up on demand channels but this doesn't make up for the loss in live broadcaster viewers
• Other on demand services as well as online ones present a wide range of content, including a variety of niche interests that PSBs can't keep up with

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

They value the purposes and objectives of PSBs, 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. 

 - 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.

•  New UK programmes are vital to support the growing UK media industry
• Investment by the PSB channels still represents the majority of total UK
• production revenues and regulation ensures that investment is spread across the nations and regions

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.
• Provision and investment in arts, religion, children’s and formal education programmes on the PSB channels continued to be relatively low over the review period.
• Significant growth in third-party funding, such as co-production and increasing in online advertising

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

 Sky and Netflix

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?

  
Technology's transformations, as well as shifting political and cultural attitudes, declining trust in institutions and a willingness to identify with social groups beyond the nation state. 

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?

• their content should be guaranteed prominence on electronic programme guides, smart TVs and on the interfaces of on-demand players as they emerge
• . Ofcom should supplement its occasional reviews of public service broadcasting with a regular qualitative audit of public service content in order to ensure that audiences are being served with high-quality and diverse programming

  
3) What does the report say about the BBC?

• the license fee is vulnerable in the face of change and technology , it has failed to  guarantee real independence and is charged at a flat rate
• its  independence of its establishment has been compromised  by a royal charter and the process behind the appointments to its governing body
• believes the BBC should be encouraged to pursue networked innovation, to embrace the internet and to develop a range of content and services for the online world.
  

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

  It should be replaced with a more progressive funding mechanism such as a tiered platform-neutral household fee, with appropriate parliamentary safeguards.

5) What does the report say about Channel 4?

• should not be privatised 
• the government should clarify its view on it
• supports independent production sector
• airs content specifically aimed at diverse audiences 
• has largely abandoned arts programming and has been criticised for not doing enough for older children
• has to cut programme spending 
• has moved with the times 

6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?

• 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?

• they now appear outside the public service system 
• hey want to propose a grant that would be open to cultural institutions and small organisations that are not already engaged in commercial operations.

Final questions - YOUR opinion on public service broadcasting

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

I think it should as it has strong historical roots within the British media landscape 

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

I think if they change the way their earn revenue, they'd be able to move with the times and even connect with the younger generation

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

I think they should change it to a subscription funding model