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? 

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? 

There have been significant changes in the way in which people watch television. 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 but maintaining the current level and range of

programmes is challenging.

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.

In addition to being valued by audiences, new UK programmes are also vital in supporting a thriving 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 (compound annual growth rate or CAGR2) equivalent to approximately £325m. 

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

A range of other media services, including commercial broadcasters like 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. 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.

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 – 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. New technology has facilitated on-demand access to television content, and created new services and platforms, while consumer behaviour has started to change rapidly, particularly among the young. The very definition of television needs to be refined accordingly.

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 government should replace the licence fee as soon as is practically possible 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 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. Its remit has remained flexible and it has moved with the times. But it has cut programme spending; it has largely abandoned arts programming and has been criticised for not doing enough for older children. Recently, Channel 4 has been threatened with privatisation, in whole or in part, a proposal that would threaten its 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?

Television with the characteristics of public service broadcasting now appears outside the public service system: 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. We believe 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?

Yes, because it has stayed true to it's remit for many years and has loyal audiences but it should be adapted to compete with the new digital age.

2) Is there a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world?
Yes, because overall it is a trustworthy place to get information which is important in an age where misinformation can be easily spread. 

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

Yes, it should change and could change to use tax money to fund it.