Public service broadcasting

 the introduction to their report - pages 3-7.

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

Audiences ways of viewing are changing in modern society and PBS is becoming less and less popular .

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

There have been significant changes in the way in which people watch television. 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. These trends are affecting all broadcasters,

including the PSB channels.

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

Audiences continue to highly value 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. 

The average viewer now spending over an hour a day watching services like Netflix and YouTube. 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.

The PSB channels are still distinctive in the amount and  range of first-run, original UK programmes1 they 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.

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

Net advertising revenue for the advertising-funded PSB channels has fallen by an average rate of 3.8% per year equivalent to approximately £325m.

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

A range of other media services, including commercial broadcasters like Sky and on-demand services

like Netflix , Disney plus , Hulu etc .

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 television sector has undergone huge changes over the past generation. The proliferation of channels has reduced the market share of the public service broadcasters – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – although they have largely retained their prominence and developed portfolio services. Sky has 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. The very definition of television needs to be refined accordingly.

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?

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.

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. 

6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?

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?

To increase the levels, quality and security of this provision, we propose to set up a new fund for public service content. This would consist of a series of digital innovation grants that would be open to cultural institutions and small organisations that are not already engaged in commercial operations.

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

Yes it should as it is a highly established and trusted brand in the UK that have been strongly running for over 100 years and apart from their unbiased news feature some beloved programmes to the UK public .

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

BBC is heavily used by older audiences and seem to stay up to date with the 21st century digital world with methods such as iPlayer which seems to be succeeding .

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

I believe it should change as it is set at a high price and is being less commonly used . I believe BBC should use subscription methods to stay up to date .