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02|10|08

Graf speech

A BBC offer to help rival broadcasters make public service programmes needs to be fleshed-out further, Ofcom’s Deputy Chairman said today.

The BBC has raised the idea of working in partnership with other broadcasters as part of the debate into public service broadcasting (PSB).

Ofcom welcomes the overall idea but we now need to see more details in the BBC proposals.

Ofcom Deputy Chairman Philip Graf said key questions have to be asked in the interest of both the TV viewer and the rest of the industry.

BBC partnerships

For instance, by 2012 we estimate that an extra £145 and £235 million will need to be found each year to fund PSB programming.

Therefore, any future partnerships need to be on a big enough scale to make a real dent on this funding shortfall.

In a speech at today’s Voice of the Listener and Viewer Conference, Philip explained that any partnerships needed to be meaningful, adding that 'what to the BBC is genuinely meant as a warm embrace, can feel to the receiving party as a bear-hug.’

He said any future partnerships should benefit all parties and not restrict others from providing PSB programmes.

Philip added: ‘None of this means partnerships can't potentially play a role in funding public service broadcasting in the future, and we welcome any new contributions to the debate.

‘But we all need to be realistic. It may prove to be a taller order in the delivery than in the saying.’

Channel 4

Philip told the audience that the BBC is, and must, remain the cornerstone of public service broadcasting.

He added that Ofcom believes Channel 4 also has a significant role as a PSB broadcaster and can build on its current contribution.

And he said Ofcom believed ITV1 and five should focus between now and 2014 on their core strengths, although the arguments surrounding their roles after that were more finely balanced.

What is PSB?

The options for the future of PSB

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