Public service broadcasting

 Public service broadcasting: blog tasks

Create a new blogpost called 'Public service broadcasting' and complete the following 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? 

Because audience viewing habits are continuing 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.

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. 

Viewers and listeners of all ages have rapidly adopted these newer media, with the average viewer now spending over an hour a day watching services like Netflix and YouTube.

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 and range 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. This far outweighs what is available on other commercial broadcast channels and the global streaming services. This causes them to be valuable because it provides more options and availability compared to competitive channels for audiences.

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. In the same period, the BBC’s revenues from the licence fee have fallen by an average of 4% each year. Significant growth in third-party funding, such as co-production, and increases in portfolio channel and online advertising has offset some of this decline.

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.

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.

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?

Public service media should not be regulated simply in relation to the impact of their content and services on the wider media market. 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. The BBC’s independence has also been compromised by the insecurity of its establishment by a royal charter and the process behind the appointments to its governing body.

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?

According to the report, 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. They should also 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. Lastly, Channel 4 should continue to innovate and experiment across different platforms and it should aim to arrest the fall in the number of independent suppliers that it works with.

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.

Final questions - YOUR opinion on public service broadcasting

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

Yes, the BBC should retain its position as the UK’s public service broadcaster because its commitment to impartial news, public education, and cultural representation remains especially valuable in a digital age dominated by commercial and algorithm-driven media. However, it must continue to adapt its funding model and digital strategy to stay relevant to changing audience habits.

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

There is still a role for them because their policy is to inform, educate and entertain and even though audiences have alternative options to retain information, education and entertainment, the BBC can overcome these alternatives by adapting to new modern technology and trends.

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

It should be completely removed as it is not needed and is unnecessary in this digital age as barely people watch it in this generation and find it a waste of money as they are paying for nothing if they don't interact with this programme.