Industries: Public Service Broadcasting
Create a new blogpost called 'Public service broadcasting' and complete the following tasks:
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 amount of time people are spending viewing content is increasing all the time especially on different devices such as phones and tablets or even computers. Young adults are watching non-PSB content and many behavioural changes are being seen not just within this group but with people over the age of 45.
2) What differences are highlighted between younger and older viewers?
Between 2015 and 2016, the average daily viewing among children and 16-24 year olds fell by 10 minutes each whereas viewing by over 64s increased by 2 minutes. Also, watching on-demand television is icreasingly popular amongst younger viewers.
3) Does the report suggest audiences are satisfied with public service broadcasting TV channels?
The report states that overall 78% of regular viewers of PSB channels are satisfied with the broadcasting which was higher that in 2015 of 73%. 75% of the audience agreed that the PSB News programmes are trustworthy and that regional news provides a wide range of good quality about their areas. Many people were satisfied because the information from PSB channels informed them of what's going on in the world.
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?
They spent a total of £2.6bn on first-run UK originated content in 2016 which was a 2% increase from 2014. However this was an 18% decrease from 2006 because they were reducing the amount they spent over the intervening period. The spend on new UK content at peak time was at £1.6bn 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 rapid increase of channels has reduced the market share of the public service broadcasters (BBC,ITV,Channel 4 and Channel 5)- even though they have retained their importance and developed portfolio services. Sky has emerged as a major force contributing to the success of television pay. The new technology has made on demand and access to TV content much easier. They have also created new services and platforms while consumer behaviour has changed amongst younger viewers.
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 of independence, universality, citizenship. quality and diversity needs to be embedded into regulation and funding of an emerging digital media landscape.
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 services credentials is under threat. The BBC is contracting and it is damaging competitors. The license fee is vulnerable in terms of changes of technology and consumption. BBC has failed to guarantee independence and is charged at a flat rate.
4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?
The BBC should be encouraged to keep on creating networks, to accept the internet and to develop a range of content and services for the online world. They should continue to provide programmes and provide to all audiences as well as competing with other broadcasters to produce high quality shows. They need to show their creative ambition and commit to it and try to embrace new types of collaborative partnerships.
5) What does the report say about Channel 4?
Channel 4 is in a critical position because they support the independent production sector and airing content aimed specifically at diverse audiences. Channel 4 has cut programme spending and has largely abandoned arts programmes 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 the government should clarify it's view on the channels future as soon as possible. They should increase their provision for older children and young adults and restore some art programmes that have been declined for many 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 range of cultural institutions are now producing content of public service character. To increase the quality and security they propose to set up new funds for the public service content. It would consist of a series of digital innovation grants.
Final questions - your opinion on public service broadcasting
Should the BBC retain its position as the UK’s public service broadcaster? Is there a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world?
I think they should since they are quite important, if they choose to improve themselves and take on the advice such as being more creative and accepting the internet then there will be a role for them in the 21st century digital world.
Should the BBC funding model (license fee) change? How?
It should change by having a more progressive funding mechanism such as a tiered platform-neutral household fee, a supplement to council tax with appropriate parliamentary safeguards.
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 amount of time people are spending viewing content is increasing all the time especially on different devices such as phones and tablets or even computers. Young adults are watching non-PSB content and many behavioural changes are being seen not just within this group but with people over the age of 45.
2) What differences are highlighted between younger and older viewers?
Between 2015 and 2016, the average daily viewing among children and 16-24 year olds fell by 10 minutes each whereas viewing by over 64s increased by 2 minutes. Also, watching on-demand television is icreasingly popular amongst younger viewers.
3) Does the report suggest audiences are satisfied with public service broadcasting TV channels?
The report states that overall 78% of regular viewers of PSB channels are satisfied with the broadcasting which was higher that in 2015 of 73%. 75% of the audience agreed that the PSB News programmes are trustworthy and that regional news provides a wide range of good quality about their areas. Many people were satisfied because the information from PSB channels informed them of what's going on in the world.
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?
They spent a total of £2.6bn on first-run UK originated content in 2016 which was a 2% increase from 2014. However this was an 18% decrease from 2006 because they were reducing the amount they spent over the intervening period. The spend on new UK content at peak time was at £1.6bn 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 rapid increase of channels has reduced the market share of the public service broadcasters (BBC,ITV,Channel 4 and Channel 5)- even though they have retained their importance and developed portfolio services. Sky has emerged as a major force contributing to the success of television pay. The new technology has made on demand and access to TV content much easier. They have also created new services and platforms while consumer behaviour has changed amongst younger viewers.
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 of independence, universality, citizenship. quality and diversity needs to be embedded into regulation and funding of an emerging digital media landscape.
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 services credentials is under threat. The BBC is contracting and it is damaging competitors. The license fee is vulnerable in terms of changes of technology and consumption. BBC has failed to guarantee independence and is charged at a flat rate.
4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?
The BBC should be encouraged to keep on creating networks, to accept the internet and to develop a range of content and services for the online world. They should continue to provide programmes and provide to all audiences as well as competing with other broadcasters to produce high quality shows. They need to show their creative ambition and commit to it and try to embrace new types of collaborative partnerships.
5) What does the report say about Channel 4?
Channel 4 is in a critical position because they support the independent production sector and airing content aimed specifically at diverse audiences. Channel 4 has cut programme spending and has largely abandoned arts programmes 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 the government should clarify it's view on the channels future as soon as possible. They should increase their provision for older children and young adults and restore some art programmes that have been declined for many 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 range of cultural institutions are now producing content of public service character. To increase the quality and security they propose to set up new funds for the public service content. It would consist of a series of digital innovation grants.
Final questions - your opinion on public service broadcasting
Should the BBC retain its position as the UK’s public service broadcaster? Is there a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world?
I think they should since they are quite important, if they choose to improve themselves and take on the advice such as being more creative and accepting the internet then there will be a role for them in the 21st century digital world.
Should the BBC funding model (license fee) change? How?
It should change by having a more progressive funding mechanism such as a tiered platform-neutral household fee, a supplement to council tax with appropriate parliamentary safeguards.
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