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.