Public service broadcasting

 1. Why is it a critical time for public service broadcasting?

Public service broadcasting (PSB) is at a crucial juncture. Audience viewing habits continue to change rapidly and competition from global content providers is ever-increasing.

2.  How has TV viewing changed in recent years? 

Live broadcast viewing has declined, as audiences increasingly choose to view content at a time that suits them on global online and on-demand content services. These trends are affecting all broadcasters, including the PSB channels.

3. what aspects of PSB do audiences value and enjoy? 

 trustworthy news and programmes that show different aspects of UK life and culture.

4.  Find and note down the statistics in this section on how much TV audiences tend to watch and how they watch it.

 Viewers and listeners of all ages have rapidly adopted these newer media, with the average viewer now spending over an hour a day watching services like Netflix and YouTube. These changes present fundamental challenges to broadcasters, including the PSB channels, as competition for viewers increases, cost pressures rise, and traditional broadcast revenue streams are squeezed. However, television and radio remain an important part of our media lives. We still watch, on average, over three hours of live broadcast TV each day and over half of that is to the PSB channels. Television also remains the best way to reach large audiences; and, broadcast news is still widely considered to be accurate and trustworthy.

5. Again, find the statistics and explain the value of public service broadcasting in Britain.

Collectively, they provide audiences with approximately 32,000 hours of new UK content in a wide range of subjects, including news, current affairs, drama and children’s programmes. This far outweighs what is available on other commercial broadcast channels and the global streaming services.

6.  Look at the section on commercial challenges. How have revenues fallen for PSB channels?

Audiences still have generally positive views on the PSB channels but viewing continues to decline. This decline is particularly pronounced amongst younger viewers.

7. What services increasingly play a role in our media lives in the digital age? 

commercial broadcasters like Sky and on-demand services like Netflix, extend the choice of content available to audiences.

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, while consumer behaviour has started to change rapidly, particularly among the young. The very definition of television needs to be refined accordingly.

2.  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. Its remit has remained flexible and it has moved with the times. But 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 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. 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. Meanwhile, a broad range of cultural institutions – including museums, performing arts institutions and community organisations – are now producing video content of public service character. We believe that the growing contribution to a digital media ecology made by these cultural institutions should be boosted by a specific public intervention.

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

I think that the BBC should remain its position as the UK's public service broadcaster as everyone uses it and its both informative and for some entertaining. 

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

The BBC could operate digitally with their news and shows on catch up too so there is a role for the BBC in the 21st century. 

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

I think that the funding model shouldn't change as BBC offers a lot of their serves and so if we all have to pay a certain fee to use their services then I believe it'll be worth it.