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The future of Public Service Broadcasting |
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Friday, 26 September 2008 |
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Public Service Broadcast commitments were brought in as a condition for ITV, Channel 4, five and S4C when they started out.
This was due to their "privileged" position of being able to access valuable airwaves and a good slot in the channel lineup, so they could reinvest some of the money earned through commercial activities.
However, with satellite and cable coming in, ITV particularly felt this was an old-fashioned system and with rising PSB costs and a reduction in advertising revenue, it's become one that they are struggling to finance.
Ofcom therefore spoke to audiences to find out what they want. One option; for regional news, current affairs and arts shows to appear solely on the BBC had virtually no support at all. This idea was scrapped.
So 3 options remain on the table for how things could happen in the long term.
Firstly what Ofcom call the Evolution Model. BBC, ITV1, Channel 4 and five continue as PSB broadcasters. ITV1 would focus on UK-made shows as well as UK and international news. It would get extra funding for news from nations and regions. Channel 4 would get additional funding and have an extended remit to provide PSB content. Five would focus on UK-made programming, in particular children’s and news.
BBC/Channel 4 Model. This is where ITV and five lose their PSB status, however they can bid for funding to provide competition to the BBC. An example would be ITV bidding for cash to provide news for the nations and regions.
Finally, the Competitive funding model this is where almost any channel can bid for funding to add PSB content.
"Audiences want choice and new UK output in every area of public service programming," said Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards.
"But strong digital TV take-up means it is getting harder for our leading commercial broadcasters to provide this.
"We have provided a clear set of choices for maintaining public service broadcasting on a sustainable basis. Along with our proposals in the short term, timely decisions by government and Parliament will be critical."
Ofcom statistics show that Channel 4 alone would need an extra £60-100m to sustain its PSB content after 2012.
The consultation period closes on 4th December 2008 and the results are due to be published at the start of 2009.
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