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04|07|07

Audience fragmentation raises questions for TV news, says Ofcom

Ofcom today published the results of comprehensive research into the future prospects for UK television news. The report reveals there is more broadcast news available than ever before and it remains the most valued of all the public service broadcasting (PSB) genres – but its future cannot be taken for granted.

Ofcom’s research shows that consumers continue to expect high quality, well-funded television news on all the main public service broadcasting (PSB) channels.

While the prospects for national and international TV news seem good, the research also confirms fears that the provision of news programmes in the UK nations and regions faces significant challenges. Moreover, evidence suggests that some sectors of society are increasingly disengaging from mainstream television news.

Plurality and competition in UK news

Broadcasters themselves recognise the importance of news within their overall output. Several highlight the value it adds to their channels’ brands; and, with personal video recorders increasingly used to watch programmes on a time-shifted basis, news provides a valuable ‘live’ element to schedules.

The report concludes that it is likely to remain in the interests of the commercial public service broadcasters (ITV, Channel 4 and Five) to maintain high quality UK and international news services in competition with the BBC. At the same time, broadcasters accept that commercial challenges might impede the delivery of some in-depth and investigative forms of news programmes.

News for the UK nations and regions

People value news stories affecting their area. The BBC’s average audience share of 28 per cent makes its bulletins for the nations/regions the most watched news programmes on television, for example.

The Government’s Charter and Agreement on the future of the BBC safeguards the provision of nations and regions programming on its channels. However, new competition in digital broadcasting has created real challenges for ITV in relation to its own regulatory requirement to provide an alternative to the BBC.

After digital switchover in 2012 there will be fewer benefits for ITV in maintaining PSB commitments in areas such as programming for the UK nations and regions. Ofcom’s economic analysis suggests that in the absence of effective requirements after 2014, ITV would have a strong incentive to replace nations and regions content with network programming.

New technologies such as broadband and other initiatives - for example, the release of spectrum previously used for analogue broadcasting - may allow the provision of more localised news programmes produced by other parties. It is likely, however, that to safeguard the long-term future of news in the nations and regions, some new kind of public funding intervention may be required.

Disengagement, trust and impartiality

Research shows a lack of involvement with TV news among the young and some ethnic minorities, and this trend is growing. More young and ethnic minority viewers perceive bias and exaggeration in news reports than do other groups in the population. This raises the broader issue of trust and impartiality in news programming.

• 16 to 24 year olds now watch less than 40 hours of television news a year, compared with around 90 hours a year for the wider population;
• Qualitative research elicited strong views on the UK media among minorities. Some black viewers, for example, fear the media links them negatively to crime while some Muslims feel that the media links them to extremism.

It is clear that broadcasting alone is not responsible for disengagement from the political process among certain groups. However, broadcasters should look to ways of engaging more effectively with these groups, not least for commercial reasons.

All licensed broadcasters are currently required to ensure that television and radio broadcasts are impartial, representing a broad canvas of views and favouring none in particular. However, there are some suggestions that this regulatory approach might actually discourage the portrayal of a truly diverse range of views.

Therefore, while impartiality will remain absolutely essential to preserve trust in the BBC and other significant providers of public service content, it may be worth considering whether to allow smaller, more niche services greater flexibility in the way they present news stories. This may encourage more people to participate in political debate and prevent further disengagement in news.

The research also reveals a marked drop in people’s perception of impartiality in television news between 2002 and 2006. Also, while people’s level of trust in many mainstream television news providers has fallen over the same period – especially in the case of Channels 4 and 5 - trust in news delivered by the internet has increased.

Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards said: “Television news is very important to UK citizens and our research points to several positive indications of its future.

“However, TV news providers will need to adapt if they are to continue to be relevant and engaging. It is important that broadcasters strive to serve all groups in society, in all our nations, regions and communities.

“We welcome views that will further a debate on these vital issues”.

Next steps

Ofcom will begin its next PSB Review in the autumn. This research, along with responses to Ofcom’s analysis, will help inform Ofcom as it considers the future provision of local, national and international news on television during the Review.

See Related Items for the research and analysis documents.

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