MIGRAIN: Public service broadcasting
Public service broadcasting: notes
Public service broadcasting refers to broadcasting intended for public benefit rather than to serve commercial interests.
The media regulator Ofcom requires certain TV and radio broadcasters to fulfil certain requirements as part of their license to broadcast.
All of the BBC's television and radio stations have a public service remit.
The history of the BBC
The BBC was created in 1922 in response to new technology – the radio (or wireless as it was called then).
The BBC was set up to “inform, educate and entertain” – which is still its mission statement to this day.
Channel 4
Channel 4 is an important part of UK public service broadcasting. Read full details of Channel 4's remit here - there is plenty of important information regarding the channel's commitment to public service broadcasting and its unique funding model.
Opposition to public service broadcasting
Many people in Britain see public service broadcasting as a good thing – but not rival commercial broadcasters.
James Murdoch, son of Rupert, has criticised BBC news. He says that free news on the BBC made it “incredibly difficult” for private news organisations to ask people to pay for their news.
Some politicians have argued that the BBC should not produce programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing so commercial broadcasters such as ITV or Sky can attract larger audiences in prime time.
Ofcom report
1. The report suggests that TV is changing. People are watching more and more non-PSB content instead of PSB content such as the BBC.
2. Older viewers tend to stick to traditional TV programmes whereas younger viewers usually watch more on- demand television.
3. Yes, audiences are more satisfied with PSB channels, viewers are more satisfied now than they were in 2015. now 78% of audiences are satisfied, in 2015, 73% of audiences were satisfied.
4. The PSB channels spent a total of £2.6bn on first-run UK-originated content in 2016
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?
ITV has been transformed over the past 25 years as a result of the changes introduced by the 1990 Broadcasting Act and the greatly increased competition it now faces in a multichannel world.
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."
4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?
"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?
"Channel 4 occupies a critical place in the public service ecology – supporting the independent production sector and airing content aimed specifically at diverse audiences."
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.
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?
Grant funding would not be limited to linear video content but to other forms of digital content that have demonstrable public service objectives and purposes. We would expect applicants to partner with existing public service broadcasters and platform owners in order to promote their content.
Public service broadcasting refers to broadcasting intended for public benefit rather than to serve commercial interests.
The media regulator Ofcom requires certain TV and radio broadcasters to fulfil certain requirements as part of their license to broadcast.
All of the BBC's television and radio stations have a public service remit.
The history of the BBC
The BBC was created in 1922 in response to new technology – the radio (or wireless as it was called then).
The BBC was set up to “inform, educate and entertain” – which is still its mission statement to this day.
The BBC funding model: license fee
All BBC content (and some of Channel 4’s funding) comes from the License Fee, which costs £147 a year.
You need a TV Licence to:
- watch or record live TV programmes on any channel
- download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.
Some politicians want to scrap the license fee and change the BBC’s funding model.
Channel 4 is an important part of UK public service broadcasting. Read full details of Channel 4's remit here - there is plenty of important information regarding the channel's commitment to public service broadcasting and its unique funding model.
"Channel 4 is a publicly-owned and commercially-funded UK public service broadcaster, with a statutory remit to deliver high-quality, innovative, alternative content that challenges the status quo.
Channel 4 reinvests all profits back into programmes, at zero cost to the taxpayer. A ‘Robin Hood’ model of cross-funding means programmes that make money pay for others that are part of the PSB remit but that are loss-making e.g. News and Current Affairs."
Opposition to public service broadcasting
Many people in Britain see public service broadcasting as a good thing – but not rival commercial broadcasters.
James Murdoch, son of Rupert, has criticised BBC news. He says that free news on the BBC made it “incredibly difficult” for private news organisations to ask people to pay for their news.
Some politicians have argued that the BBC should not produce programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing so commercial broadcasters such as ITV or Sky can attract larger audiences in prime time.
Ofcom report
1. The report suggests that TV is changing. People are watching more and more non-PSB content instead of PSB content such as the BBC.
2. Older viewers tend to stick to traditional TV programmes whereas younger viewers usually watch more on- demand television.
3. Yes, audiences are more satisfied with PSB channels, viewers are more satisfied now than they were in 2015. now 78% of audiences are satisfied, in 2015, 73% of audiences were satisfied.
4. The PSB channels spent a total of £2.6bn on first-run UK-originated content in 2016
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?
ITV has been transformed over the past 25 years as a result of the changes introduced by the 1990 Broadcasting Act and the greatly increased competition it now faces in a multichannel world.
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."
4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?
"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?
"Channel 4 occupies a critical place in the public service ecology – supporting the independent production sector and airing content aimed specifically at diverse audiences."
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.
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?
Grant funding would not be limited to linear video content but to other forms of digital content that have demonstrable public service objectives and purposes. We would expect applicants to partner with existing public service broadcasters and platform owners in order to promote their content.
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