MIGRAIN: Industries - Public service broadcasting

Ofcom report

Read the first few pages of this Ofcom report into Public Service Broadcasting in 2017.

1) How does the report suggest that TV viewing is changing?
The report states that TV viewing is changing due to the different ways audiences are viewing content (both on television and other devices). Young adults are watching a substantial amount of non-PSB content and this is true for some up to the age of 45.

2) What differences are highlighted between younger and older viewers?
Viewers aged 65+ watched an average of 5 hours 44 minutes of broadcast TV in 2016, whereas 16-24 year olds watched an average of 1 hour 54 minutes in 2016. Between 2015 and 2016, average daily viewing among children and 16-24 year olds each fell by 10 minutes, whereas viewing by over-64s increased by 2 minutes.

3) Does the report suggest audiences are satisfied with public service broadcasting TV channels?
Overall, 78% of regular or occasional viewers of any PSB channel claim to be satisfied with PSB broadcasting, significantly higher than in 2015 (73%). This is despite the increase of viewing being on non-broadcast devices. (Younger people watch an average of about 2.5 hours per day of non-broadcast content, on any device.) 

However, As in 2015, PSB viewers considered the most important purpose was purpose 1: ‘Informing our understanding of the world’. Viewers had the highest level of satisfaction with delivery against this purpose: 75% agreed that ‘PSB news programmes are trustworthy’ (up by 5pp since 2015), 77% agreed that programmes ‘help them understand what’s going on in the world today’ (up 3pp) and 75% agreed that regional news programmes provide a wide range of good quality news about their area (up 5pp). Therefore, the report is suggesting that the public 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? 
The PSB channels spent a total of £2.6bn on first-run UK originated content in 2016.

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 proliferation of channels has reduced the market share of the public service broadcasters – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. 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. 

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?

• 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 operator
• Ofcom should ensure that audiences are being served with high-quality and diverse programming and monitor the independent production sector and take action, where necessary.

3) What does the report say about the BBC?
The report states that the BBC is the most important part of the television ecology but it is hard to ignore the fact that it is damaging competitors.

4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?
The report suggests replacing the licence fee a with a more progressive funding mechanism such as a tiered platform-neutral household fee, a supplement to Council Tax or funding via general taxation

5) What does the report say about Channel 4?
The report states that channel 4  occupies a critical place in the public service ecology – supporting the independent production sector and airing content aimed specifically at diverse audiences. However, 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 and  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?
 A broad range of cultural institutions – including museums, performing arts institutions and community organisations – are now producing video content of public service character. The report proposes growing contribution to a digital media ecology made by these cultural institutions should be boosted by a specific public intervention (set up a new fund for public service content).

Final questions - your opinion on public service broadcasting

1) Should the BBC retain its position as the UK’s public service broadcaster?
Yes, I believe that the BBC should retain its position as the UK's main public broadcaster because it is viewed by many of the UK's population. It does its job very well- 'educating, informing and entertaining'.

2) Is there a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world?
Yes I believe that there is a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world. There are many ways to watch the BBC other than live on TV. This includes iplayer and on YouTube.

3) Should the BBC funding model (license fee) change? How?
Personally, I think that the BBC funding model shouldn't change. The ofcom report suggested changing the funding to general taxisation. However, i believe this is a bad idea because this would mean taxes would increase (when they are already so high) and other areas being funded by tax would be effected negatively (the NHS and education for example.)