[cma-l] Ofcom publishes Second Phase of Public Service Broadcasting Review

[CMA-L]

Ofcom today published the second phase of its review of Public Service
Broadcasting (PSB).  The review finds that in order to sustain PSB
programmes on channels other than the BBC, some £145-235 million in
replacement funding will be required by 2012.

Ofcom research shows the high value which audiences put on the
provision of public service content outside the BBC even when faced
with the possibility of having to pay for it.

The review also proposes reducing the obligations on ITV plc and the
other channel 3 licensees next year to make the provision of highly
valued programmes – original British content and news – more
sustainable until the initial expiry date of the existing licences in
2014.

The biggest changes - which prioritise peak time coverage - involve a
restructuring of ITV's regional news services in England and the
Scottish Borders.

The Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) review can be found at:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/psb2_phase2/

The News Release can be found at:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2008/09/nr_20080925

The Blog can be found at: http://comment.ofcom.org.uk