Public service broadcasting: blog tasks

 Ofcom review of PSB in Britain

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? 

It is trustworthy and provides news/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. 

The average viewer now spending over an hour a day watching services like Netflix and YouTube. We still watch, on average, over three hours of live broadcast TV each day and over half of that is to the PSB channels.

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.

Viewers and listeners value programmes that inform our understanding of the world and that show different aspects of UK life and culture. 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?

Yes because between 2014 and 2018, net advertising revenue for the advertising-funded PSB channels has fallen by an average rate of 3.8% per year amounting to about £325 million a year. As well as, 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? 

Other media services, including commercial broadcasters like Sky and on-demand services like Netflix, extend the choice of content available to audiences. As, suggests audiences aged 16-34 years old are more likely to watch a BBC programme on Netflix than the BBC iPlayer.3

Goldsmiths report on Public Service TV

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. With Sky emerging as a major force, contributing to the success of pay television. 

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?

1. In return for public service broadcasters meeting the obligations of their licence
2. Retransmission fees should be paid by pay-TV platforms to public service television operators.
3. 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.
4. 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. 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?

It should be replaced with a more progressive funding mechanism such as a tiered platform-neutral household fee, a supplement to Council Tax or funding via general taxation

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.  It has largely abandoned arts programming and has been criticised for not doing enough for older children.

6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?

Channel 4 should significantly increase its provision for older children 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?

A broad range of cultural institutions like museums, performing arts institutions and community organisations are now producing video content of public service character. They 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?

Yeah, is giving people good information and entertainment and the public are happy with it so I think there is no problem with them retaining their power.

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

Yes to "inform, educate, entertain" like they say. They provide crucial information about things that would otherwise go uncovered. Especially, in a world with lots of fake news it provides impartial, accurate news.

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

No, people are pretty much content with how it is right now. But, if they were to change then the news should stay free, and the rest commercial to be fair to commercial broadcasters.