Public Service Broadcasting: Blog Tasks :)

Ofcom report

Read the first few pages of this Ofcom report into Public Service Broadcasting.

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

People are increasingly viewing content in a variety of ways- can be on the television set or on other devices

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

Older viewers (aged 65+) have maintained a fairly stable viewing rate but there has been a decline in the daily viewing mainly among people aged 16-24 and 5-14

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

8 in 10 adults say that they are satisfied with PSB and the satisfaction keeps on increasing (73% increase since 2015) and 24% of people who said they were satisfied said that they were very 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? 

£2.60bn

Goldsmiths report

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 rapid increase in channels on UK television has changed in the last 20 years 

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 independence, universality, citizenship, quality and diversity 

3) What does the report say about the BBC?

The BBC is the most important part of the television ecology but is also representative of how the advancement of technology is leading to, in some ways, the end of public service broadcasting 

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

By 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?

Plays an integral part in the public service ecology and supports the independent production sector and airing content aimed specifically at diverse audiences 

6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?

By continuing to innovate and experiment across different platforms as well as aiming to stop the fall in numbers of independent suppliers that they work with 

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?

New digital content providers are providing television with the characteristics of public service broadcasting and yet appears outside the public service system 

Final questions - your opinion on public service broadcasting

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

I think that the BBC should retain its position as the UK's public service broadcaster because it has build a respectable reputation and is trusted by so many people in the UK and has become a household name. A majority of UK TV-watchers would be devastated by the loss of the BBC. 

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

I wholeheartedly agree that there is a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world and this is because the BBC has a very credible news source and especially in a time where we heavily rely on the news, this would increase the significance of the BBC in the 21st century 

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

I think that the BBC funding model should change because the rise in technology is reducing the dependency on the BBC so less people are paying the licensing fee so this means that the BBC can't make enough profit to carry on funding the media they are producing so they need to make changes to allow the BBC to continue growing