Public Service Broadcasting

Public Service Broadcasting

Public service broadcasting refers to broadcasting intended for public benefit rather than to serve commercial interests.

The media regulator Ofcom requires certain TV and radio broadcasters to fulfil certain requirements as part of their license to broadcast.

All of the BBC's television and radio stations have a public service remit.

Ofcom report into Public Service Broadcasting in 2017.

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

-  88% adults have internet access at home

-  76% own a smartphone/tablet

-  36% have smart TV’s in their homes

-  55% have ever used on-demand services
2) What differences are highlighted between younger and older viewers?

Individuals in the UK watched 3 hours 32 minutes of measured broadcast TV on a TV set in 2016. Viewers aged 65+ watched an average of 5 hours 44 minutes in 2016, 16-24 year olds watched an average of 1 hour 54 minutes in 2016

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

The majority of people in the UK with a TV in their household watch the PSB channels on a 

weekly basis. In 2016, 83% of the TV population aged 4+ watched any of the main five PSB 

channels in a typical week. This increases to 85% when the BBC portfolio channels are 

included.

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?

In a year of devolved parliamentary and assembly elections, spend on new, non-network 

originations for viewers in the nations and regions reached £276m in 2016, a 2% increase in 

real terms since 2015.

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 – 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.

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?

Public service media should not be regulated simply in relation to the impact of their content and services on the wider media market.  Principles of independence, universality, citizenship, quality and diversity need to be embedded into the 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 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 not be privatised – neither in full or in part – and we believe that the government should clarify its view on Channel 4’s future as soon as possible.

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?

Television with the characteristics of public service broadcasting now appears outside the public service system: from Sky and other commercial broadcasters, on subscription video-on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon, and through the new Local TV services. 

Final questions - your opinion on public service broadcasting

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

The BBC

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

Many people are converting to streaming things online, on prime, netflix and Hulu and others for their TV and films. They prefer to pay subscriptions for streaming rather than pay for a TV license in order to watch Sky or Virgin. I think that besides sports channels the rest of TV and film can be found online and therefore the BBC will only be popular with the older generations who are used to having the channels to flick through.

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

As well as paying for a license fee to be able to watch television Sky also charge for he viewers to have sky cinema and movies, sky kids and sky sports. This is inconvenient for the younger generations who prefer to save money and will happily stream on Netflix while in bed.