[Community Television] A new framework for Public Service Broadcasting

[Michelle McGuire]

Ofcom News Release 30|09|04

A new framework for Public Service Broadcasting

Ofcom today published the second phase of its statutory review of 
public service broadcasting, setting out key proposals to maintain and 
strengthen public service television in the digital age.

Section 264 of the Communications Act 2003 requires Ofcom to report on 
the effectiveness of the existing public service broadcasters – BBC , 
ITV, Channel 4, S4C, Five and Teletext – in the delivery of their 
public service broadcasting obligations; and to make recommendations 
for the continuation of public service broadcasting in the years ahead.

The Phase 2 Report highlights that the existing analogue model of 
public service broadcasting, which has been sustained for many years by 
a combination of institutions, funding and regulation, will not survive 
the transition to digital and may erode rapidly prior to 2012. Ofcom is 
therefore proposing a new settlement be put in place in order to secure 
competition for quality before the old model has completely eroded.

The framework has seven proposals:
	1.  	 The increasing importance of a strong, independent, fully-funded 
and public service focused BBC ; funded through a licence-fee model.
	2.  	 Channel 4, as a critical second provider of public service 
broadcasting, to remain as a primarily not-for-profit free-to-air 
broadcaster, free to form alliances, joint ventures and partnerships 
with other organisations, with the possibility of asset transfer as a 
route to create scale and public service impact.
	3.  	 ITV1 to play to its strengths in public service broadcasting, 
contributing through high-quality, UK-originated production, investment 
in news, regional news and current affairs, with a proposed initial 
reduction in, then phased withdrawal of, regional non-news obligations. 
Ofcom also proposes using the greater flexibility afforded by the 
Communications Act in assessing the delivery of ITV1’s obligations such 
as arts, children’s and religious programming.
	4.  	 A new approach to programming for the Nations and Regions, with 
regional production on ITV1 and a rebalancing of some non-news regional 
responsibilities to the BBC.
	5.  	 Channel Five committed to UK-originated programming and acting 
as a market-led public service broadcaster.
	6.  	 A strong independent production sector based on the successful 
implementation of the new Codes of Practice introduced by Ofcom earlier 
this year. However, if the programme supply market is not working more 
efficiently 12 months from now, Ofcom will take further action.
	7.  	A new concept to stimulate innovation and plurality: a 
competition to run a new Public Service Publisher (PSP) using new 
technologies and distribution systems to meet audience needs in the 
digital age. A winning bid could come from any current broadcaster, any 
media company (except the BBC), an independent producer, infrastructure 
operator - or a consortium of such companies.

The proposals are subject to public consultation; the closing date for 
responses is 24 November 2004. The Review will be completed once the 
final Phase 3 report is published at the end of the year. Ofcom’s PSB 
Review will inform the Government’s own review of the BBC Charter as 
well as its decisions on the timing of digital switchover.

Ofcom Chief Executive Stephen Carter said: “The historical compact 
between broadcaster, audience, Government and regulator will not 
survive the move to digital.”

  He added: “Our seven proposals, taken together, aim to keep the 
strongest of the traditional whilst adding the spur of the new. We look 
forward to hearing people’s views.”

  The Executive Summary of the Report is available online at:

  <http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/current/psb2/execsum/>

Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/4qpzj

The full Phase 2 Report is available online at:

<http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/current/psb2/?a=87101>

Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/4c642

To download (in pdf format) at:

  <http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/current/psb2/psb_phase2.pdf>

Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/58cx3