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FAQs

We hope that the following FAQs provide answers to general questions you may have about the review. But if you have any further queries you would like addressed, please feel free to get in touch with Ofcom at PSBR@ofcom.org.uk

Question 1:

What is the Ofcom PSB Review?

Answer 1:

Ofcom is carrying out a review of the extent to which the BBC, ITV1, Channel 4, Five, and S4C have provided programmes and services which, taken together, fulfil the purposes of public service television broadcasting in the UK.

Question 2:

Why is Ofcom conducting this Review?

Answer 2:

The Communications Act (which was given Royal Assent in July 2003) requires Ofcom (under clause 264 (3)) to carry out a review of the overall contribution of all public service broadcasters (PSBs) to the “core purposes” of PSB television as set out in the Act.

The Act tasks Ofcom with assessing the extent to which public service broadcasters, taken together, fulfil the purposes of public service broadcasting television in the UK. Ofcom must also provide recommendations on maintaining and strengthening the quality of PSB television going forward, taking into account the costs of provision and the funds available to the broadcasters.

Question 3:

Why is the Review taking place now?

Answer 3:

The Communications Act requires Ofcom to undertake its first five-yearly review “as soon as practicable after a period of 12 months beginning with commencement.”

This first review comes at a critical moment. Historically, where individuals and households only had access to four or five channels, the provision of public service broadcasting by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five and S4C (in Wales) was critical. However, since viewers can now access – if they so choose – a myriad of additional channels via cable, satellite or Freeview, competitive pressures are inevitably affecting the extent to which the commercial public service broadcasters can or indeed should continue to sustain PSB programmes.

Question 4:

How long will the Review take?

Answer 4:

Ofcom’s Review is a far-reaching 12-month project consisting of three phases, with significant consultation throughout the work and separate reports at the end of each phase. The three phases are as follows:

• Phase One: The Current Position (October 2003 - Spring 2004)
• Phase Two: Prospects for the Future (Spring 2004 - Summer 2004)
• Phase Three: Proposals and Recommendations (Summer 2004 - late Autumn 2004).

Question 5:

What do you actually mean by Public Service Broadcasting (PSB)?

Answer 5:

Many attempts have been made to define public service broadcasting over the past fifty years. For this reason, Ofcom is not starting out with a preconceived definition of PSB. However, Phase One of the Review will work towards a working definition of the purposes and components of the public service broadcasting remit, and an assessment of the extent to which those purposes are being delivered.

Question 6:

Is the Review considering Radio?

Answer 6:

The Review does not extend to radio, but will cover new media services to the extent that they are linked to television, such as interactivity and television-related online content. It will also consider other media to the extent to which they affect the fulfillment of public service television purposes.

Question 7:

Who are the “Public Service Broadcasters” referred to here?

Answer 7:

The BBC and the “commercial PSBs” - ITV1, Channel 4 (S4C in Wales) , Five and Public Teletext .

Question 8:

Is Ofcom consulting these broadcasters over the course of the Review?

Answer 8:

The PSBs are being extensively consulted during the Review. In order to help us to examine the extent to which the core purposes of PSB have been fulfilled, we have asked each public service broadcaster to provide data about the provision of PSB programming in a number of genres on each of their public service channels.

In addition, other broadcasters will have an opportunity to submit their views.

Question 9:

Will the ordinary viewer be consulted during the Review?

Answer 9:

Viewers’ interests are at the heart of the Review and Ofcom is committed to consulting them both formally and informally throughout the process. Ordinary viewers will be given the opportunity to contribute views through a number of means.

The PSB Review area of the Ofcom website allows citizens to register an interest in the Review, thereby allowing them to get regular updates on developments. Viewers can also tell us their views by filling in the form on our website.

There will be extensive periods of detailed public consultation at the end of Phases 1 and 2 of the Review, which will allow all interested parties to submit information and set out their views and opinions on the key issues. External organizations, groups and individuals will be invited to enter submissions and respond to the interim reports.

In addition, we expect to hold a series of seminars and discussion groups on the key issues and topics during the course of the Review, the output of which will inform our final reports.

Question 10:

Will Ofcom be conducting any new research during this Review?

Answer 10:

A number of new research projects will underpin the analysis and the recommendations drawn. These will include detailed assessments of general audience perceptions and preferences, and the views of particular groups who might benefit from different aspects of PSB.

Most notably, Ofcom is conducting a far-reaching and comprehensive survey involving 6000 households across the UK. This is one of the most significant and extensive surveys of viewers’ attitudes to public service broadcasting undertaken in recent years. The research has four key objectives:

1. To understand, at a general level, what the concept of public service broadcasting means to members of the public.

2. To understand the relative importance to the public (as both viewers and citizens) of the various components of PSB.

3. To gauge perceptions of how well the public currently feel UK television as a whole is satisfying its PSB remit, and reasons for these perceptions.

4. To understand the extent to which each broadcaster should be expected to meet these aims and objectives (to include the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five and S4C).

Question 11:

Who else will Ofcom talk to during the Review?

Answer 11:

The Review will be conducted on an open and consultative basis, allowing as many informed and interested parties to contribute. This will include a range of external advisers and specialist groups, alongside Ofcom’s own main Board and Content Board. Information on the membership of these bodies can be found elsewhere on the Ofcom website.

Question 12:

How will the Review feed into the BBC Charter Review?

Answer 12:

The Review may be used by the Government to inform the BBC Charter Review process. Ofcom will provide a detailed and authoritative body of research and analysis. In particular, Ofcom will look across the sector as a whole, taking into account both commercially and publicly funded public service broadcasting.

Question 13:

Will Ofcom impose unnecessary burdens on PSB’s as a result of the Review?

Answer 13:

There is no prior intention to do this. The Review, in addition to assessing the current situation, will develop clear proposals for the definition, purpose, and future regulation of public service television broadcasting, and to ensure that these are fit-for-purpose in a period of significant change and development.

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