Public service broadcasting

Ofcom review of PSB in Britain

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? 

Audience viewing habits are changing, meaning PSB has to adapt.

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

Fewer people now watch live television as people want to watch at a time that is suitable for them.

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

People value the trustworthiness of PSB and its values.

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 BBC’s revenues from the licence fee have fallen by an average of 4% each year

This shows how each year the audience of PBS, like the BBC, falls perhaps due to other competitors like Netflix.

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.

"broadcast. Collectively, 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." This means that PSBs are important for a British society as this is the main source of our information and surveillance of the world.

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.

This shows how slowly revenue has fallen for PSB channels, even through advertising.

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

On-demand services like Netflix, as well as commercial broadcasters like 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?

TV regulation.

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?

Independence, universality, citizenship, quality and diversity.

3) What does the report say about the BBC?

That the BBC is the most important part in TV ecology.

4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?

It should be funded according to each household's income.

5) What does the report say about Channel 4?

It shouldn't be privatised, and it should offer media for older children and young adults.

6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?

It should operate across many other platforms.

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?

They are competitors which threaten PSBs.

Final questions - YOUR opinion on public service broadcasting

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

I think it should, as it is trusted by a lot of people when getting news, but it's also important for diversity and representation.

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

Yes, like news and education as it's a trustworthy source.

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

Yes, as some people don't need to pay as they don't consume media from the BBC  but also some people may not be able to afford it. Therefore, they could change the licence fee to be optional and different depending on each household's income.