Public Service

Public service broadcasting: blog tasks


Ofcom report

1) How does the report suggest that TV viewing is changing?

Today's audience are viewing media in variety of ways, by using Smart TV, phones, tablets. More you adults are watching non-PSB content. While older aged audience are still watching PSB content.

2) What differences are highlighted between younger and older viewers?

Viewers aged 65+ watch an average of 5 hours, 44 minutes in 2016 which isn't much difference in 2013 were it was 3 minutes less. While 16-24 aged viewers watches an average of 1 hour, 54 minutes in 2016 which is 43 minutes less than in 2012


3) Does the report suggest audiences are satisfied with public service broadcasting TV channels?

78% of regular and occasional viewers say that they are satisfied with PSB.


4) Public service broadcasting channels are a major aspect of the UK cultural industries. How much money did PSB channels spend on UK-originated content in 2016?

PSB spent £2.6 billion on the first-run UK-originated content in 2016 which is slight 2% increase from 2014.

Goldsmiths report

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 Channel5 – although they have largely retained their prominence and developed portfolio services. Skyhas emerged as a major force,contributing to the success of pay television. New technology has facilitated on-demand access to television content, and created new services and platforms, while consumer behaviour has started to change rapidly, particularly among the young

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?

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. 

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.

 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.

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.BBC should be encouraged to pursue networked innovation, to embrace the internet and to develop a range of content and services for the online world.

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 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 occupies a critical place in the public service ecology – supporting the independent production sector and airing content aimed specifically at diverse audiences.. 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 the government should clarify its view on Channel 4’s future as soon as possible. Channel 4 should also 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?

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.

My opinions on PSB

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

Yes and no. I have mixed opinions on this argument. One reason is that I do believe the BBC should retain is position due to BBC appealing to an older audience. But what I want the BBC is that their content hasn't changed. They haven't adapted to the new age so their content is always stale. Except for the news all the other series that BBC own are made and appeal to an older audience. So if they want to retain their position they need to make changes to their content.

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

The BBC should start making new innovations in today's world. They could even start marketing more with IPlayer since there is a lot of untapped potentials that BBC is missing.

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

No I don't think it should change. A license fee for The BBC is good way for funding so way fix it if it's not broken. But what they should is to add a paid-tv factor. The BBC could limit some TV shows for paidTV and even market it with IPlayer. License fee is a good way to earn money but today generation it could be improved on.