Public service broadcasting

 

1) Look at page 3. Why is it a critical time for public service broadcasting? 

It was a critical time for PSB as 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? 

TV viewing has changed in recent years as 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? 

The aspects of PSB that audiences value and enjoy are 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. However, television and radio remain an important part of our media lives. 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.

 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. In addition to being valued by audiences, new UK programmes are also vital in supporting a thriving UK media industry. Investment by the PSB channels still represents the majority of total UK production revenues and regulation ensures that investment is spread across the nations and regions.

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 (compound annual growth rate or CAGR2) 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.

7) Read page 6. What services increasingly play a role in our media lives in the digital age? 

Services that increasingly play a role in our media lives are Netflix and Sky.

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 report state that there were technological transformations and shifts in cultural and political attitudes. Also, the new technology has facilitated on-demand access to television content, and created new services and platforms.

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 needs to be embedded in regulation of public service broadcasting in the future.

3) What does the report say about the BBC?

The report stated that 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 BBC should be funded by 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 public service ecology, providing content aimed specifically at diverse audience. But it has 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 and should significantly increase its provision for older children and young adults, and restore some art programmes that has been declined 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?

A range of cultural institutions are now producing video content of public service character and that the growing contribution to the digital media economy should be boosted.