Public service broadcasting: blog tasks

 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 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.

3) Still on page 4, what aspects of PSB do audiences value and enjoy? 
They are 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. However,PSB no longer have audiences' as they prefer content that ‘informs, educates and entertains’.
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.
  • 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.
  • 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. culture. 
The PSB channels are still distinctive in the amount and range of first-run, original UK programmes1 they broadcast.
32,000 hours of new UK content in a wide range of subjects, including news, current affairs, drama and children’s programmes.
However, come under pressure as audiences’ viewing habits continue to change and competition from large global players increases.

6) Look at the section on commercial challenges. How have revenues fallen for PSB channels?
  • 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.
  • 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? 
  • extend the choice of content available to audiences.
  • SVoD services have been particularly effective in engaging younger audiences
  • aged 16-34 years old are more likely to watch a BBC programme on Netflix than the BBC iPlayer.3
  • Audiences are increasingly turning to online sources for news, including social media

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?

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?
  • 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, 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 replace the licence fee as soon as is practically possible with a more progressive funding mechanism 
  • . 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?
Its remit has remained flexible and it has moved with the times. But it has cut programme spending; Channel 4 has been threatened with privatisation.
6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?
  • . Channel 4 should not be privatised
  • Channel 4 should significantly increase its provision for older children and young adults and restore some of the arts programming
  • 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?
 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?
I think that the BBC should retain its position as its gives the audience what they want ensuring the availability of a wide range of high quality, original programmes.

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

The role of  the BBC is that the BBC  performs there role throughout its history, helping the spread of radio, then television and now the Internet and digital TV.

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

I think the BBC funding model is fair however I don't think its right that they are increasing the price because of inflation, which is fair on certain people.

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