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25|09|08

The future of PSB

Three quarters of viewers say they are willing to pay to ensure public service broadcasting (PSB) continues on a variety of channels, Ofcom reveals today.

They don’t want a future where PSB programmes - such as regional news, current affairs and arts shows – appear solely on the BBC.

Because of this we’ve now scrapped that option as a possible way forward as part of our wide-ranging review of PSB.

Rising costs

But three more options remain on the table as Ofcom works to make sure public service broadcasting thrives into the next decade and beyond.

There are currently five main public service broadcasters in the UK – the BBC, ITV1, Channel 4, five and S4C (plus Teletext).

They make PSB programmes as part of their licence and in return receive benefits, such as free access to valuable airwaves and a good slot in the channel lineup.

But commercial broadcasters like ITV say the rising cost of PSB programming is starting to outweigh the benefits.

Indeed, our own analysis suggests Channel 4 alone will need an extra £60 to £100 million a year to sustain its PSB content after 2012.

Digital switchover

This means there will need to be major changes to the current PSB system if it is to survive past the digital TV switchover in 2012.

Whatever happens, audiences have told us they still want to watch a range of PSB programmes on a variety of channels.

In fact, our research found that 82% of us say we would pay as much as £3.50 a month on top of the licence fee to ensure this happens.

So earlier this year Ofcom outlined four possible options for the future of PSB – including one where the BBC became the sole provider.

Consultation

While that option has now been ruled out, the three others have been refined further and will be consulted on over the coming months.

In the meantime, we’ve also proposed a number of short-term measures to make sure the PSB obligations on ITV, Channel 4 and five are realistic.

Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards said: ‘Audiences want choice and new UK output in every area of public service programming.

‘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.’

PSB blog

Ofcom’s PSB consultation closes on 4 December 2008 and we expect to publish a final statement in early 2009.

Government and Parliament will then make a final decision on the future funding of PSBs and, if appropriate, legislation by 2011.

Our consultation document includes an interactive executive summary where you can leave your comments.

You can also join in the debate on our PSB blog.

Read Ofcom’s news release on today’s PSB consultation.

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