Public service broadcasting

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? 

It was a crucial time for the PSB as the UK was facing challenges where the audiences viewing habits continue to change. This makes rapid and global content providers increase even more. 

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

The way which people watch television has changes as live broadcast viewing has declines as audiences increasingly choose to view content at a time that suits them on global online and on-demand content services.

People are watching the PSB channels less, as they are no longer the only or necessarily audiences’ preferred source of content.

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

The aspect that audiences usually enjoy are a high-quality, original UK content including impartial news, and that the creative economy continues to thrive. Also through the PSBs programme of work, they examined what audiences think are the most important aspects of PSB.

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. 

An average viewer spends over an hour a day watching services like Netflix and YouTube. There is large volume and wide range of content that other television, audio and online services have provided for audiences. Multichannel commercial broadcasters  and some subscription video on-demand services watch, on average, over three hours of live broadcast TV each day This far outweighs what is available on other commercial

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. The PSB provides 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 shows how they are being valued by audiences, new UK programmes are also vital in supporting them in growth. 

6) Look at the section on commercial challenges. How have revenues fallen for PSB channels?

channels has fallen

There was significant growth in third-party funding, such as co-production, and increases in portfolio channel and online advertising. PSB suffered by an average rate of 3.8% per year equivalent to approximately £325m. As well as this, the BBC’s revenues from the licence fee had 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? 

SVoD services have been particularly effective in engaging younger audiences, there was a research that

commercial broadcasters like Sky and on-demand service suggests audiences aged 16-34 years old are more

likely to watch a BBC programme on Netflix than the BBC iPlayer.3 London. SVoD services does not

offer the same mix of original UK content as broadcast services,

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 channels has reduced the market share of the public service broadcasters ( BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5)  they have largely retained their prominence and developed portfolio services. Sky has contributed to the success of pay television. New technology has on-demand access to television content, and created new services and platforms. Consumers have also changed.

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?

There are four things;

1. In return for public service broadcasters meeting the obligations of their licences, their content should be guaranteed prominence on electronic programme guides, smart TVs and on the interfaces of on-demand players as they emerge. 

2. Retransmission fees should be paid by pay-tv platforms to public service television operators to address the current undervaluation of public service content by these distributors. 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. This should include detailed data on the representation and employment of minority groups and a comprehensive account of the changing consumption patterns of younger audiences.

4. Ofcom should continue to monitor the independent production sector and take action, where necessary, if consolidation continues to increase and if diversity of supply is affected

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 report declares that 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 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.

6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?

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. 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?

It says that 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. 

Final questions - YOUR opinion on public service broadcasting

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

BBC plays a big part in the UK’s public service broadcaster for the past couple of years, it has provided countless news and information while following the three rules of inform, educate and entertain. Now that the world is evolving and technology is growing, there are a variety of platforms where people get their information from and form their own opinions as they are no longer a passive audience. I believe that BBC still is counted as UK’s public service broadcaster however it is no longer needed and therefore has no need to retain its position.

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

I believe the BBC still is part of the 21st century digital world as there are older generations who still use it to gain information as they are not caught up to the newest technology as we are. However this does not mean there is a prominent role for BBC in the 21st century digital world as not many people are willing to give up their money and trust the BBC due to fake news easily spreading. People are more likely believe something they have seen rather and form their own opinions on situations around the world through social platforms.

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

The BBC should change their license fee as people are not willing to pay for a platform that gives information that is easily obtained online on many social platforms. I feel like the BBC should focus more on being known by newer generations that gaining money as they are slowly being covered up and forgotten due to the growth of social media. The BBC licence fee should be lowered and their news should include advertisements of relative products, they should also be reaching out to different platforms in collaborations in order to be seen by the modern society.