Home > Media and Analysts > Homepage features > Broadcasting

21|01|09

Ofcom's PSB Blueprint

Ofcom has published a blueprint for sustaining and strengthening public service broadcasting (PSB) for the next decade.

The new approach is set out in a series of recommendations to Government and Parliament.

It will ensure that people are able to watch programmes they value highly, based on what audiences told Ofcom in the largest-ever programme of opinion research on public service broadcasting.

It will also ensure that high quality content will be available on-demand on digital television, over the internet, on mobile devices as well as in the TV schedules.

The priorities

The main recommendations are:

The BBC. Keep the BBC, funded by the licence fee, at the heart of public service broadcasting in the UK with a role in pioneering the development and take-up of content across new digital platforms.

We reject top-slicing the BBCs funding for programmes and services.

Commercial networks. Free up ITV and Five as strong commercial networks making entertaining, engaging UK content including national and international news, but with limited public service commitments.

News. Guarantee choice of broadcast news in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and in the regions of England by planning for a new way of delivering news through consortia funded by competitive tender.

Channel 4. Create a strong, alternative public service voice to the BBC, with Channel 4 at the heart, preferably though partnerships, joint ventures or even mergers. A new remit, governance and accountability will be essential.

Read more about the recommendations for Channel Four, ITV and Five

Read more about the PSB recommendations for the regions and devolved UK nations

In addition:

Childrens programmes and programmes for the devolved nations. Consider funding for content for children and for programmes other than news for the devolved nations, if other recommendations do not sufficiently meet viewers needs and if resources can be found.

Ofcom has made these recommendations because the current system of providing PSB programmes is broken.

Rising costs mean that commercial stations like ITV may stop making PSB programmes altogether unless there are major changes to the way it is funded.

If action is not taken now then programmes such as regional news, current affairs, childrens programming and some types of drama and documentaries will in the future only be available on the BBC.

Viewers and listeners

Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards said: Many people have forcefully expressed their views in the wide-ranging debate about the future of public service broadcasting.

But there is one group whose opinions matter more than anyone else: viewers and listeners.

The central challenge is how a strong and historically successful public service broadcasting system can navigate from analogue to digital.

Our proposals aim to sustain the quality and creative spirit of public service broadcasting while capturing the opportunities of broadband distribution, mobility and interactivity.

These proposals set out what we believe is required to fulfill a vision of diverse, vibrant and engaging public service broadcasting content across a range of digital media.

Ofcoms recommendations to government

Ofcom's statement on stabilising PSB in the short term

What's this?

Permalink:

Back to top