• Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Columns
    • Chris Dziadul
    • Julian Clover
    • Robert Briel
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

Ofcom: Traditional broadcasting needs radical shake-up

December 8, 2020 11.25 Europe/London By Julian Clover

New regulation is needed for public service broadcasting to be able to compete in the online world, according to Ofcom.

The findings come from the media regulation’s review of public service broadcasting Small Screen: Big Debate. The review has spoken to more than 70 stakeholders, including broadcasters, streaming services, academics and analysts in the UK and abroad.

In its principal findings, published today, show public service content still “matters hugely” to people and society.

This is demonstrated in news coverage where more than seven in 10 viewers place importance on regional news. Content made by the PSBs around the UK is particularly valued with viewers taking pride in seeing their own area on screen.

Children’s, formal education, and religious programming made specifically for the UK is largely restricted to the PSBs.

However, audiences are continuing to abandon the PSBs – the BBC, ITV, STV (Scotland), Channel 4, S4C (Wales) and Channel 5 – in favour of global streaming and online services with their vast libraries and personalised content. Last year, only 38% of 16-34s’ viewing (and 67% among all adults) was to traditional broadcast content.

At the same time public service broadcasting is facing what the regulator describes as a “triple funding threat” as falls in advertising revenue have joined with the need to grow digital services while maintaining traditional ones. Added to this is the coronavirus pandemic that has raised costs and quickened viewers shift to online platforms.

Ofcom says a new framework is needed to establish clear goals for public service broadcasters, with greater choice over how they achieve them. Companies should be required to set out, measure and report on their plans, with Ofcom holding them to account.

The regulator also wants to bring in rules to ensure PSB content is carried on different online platforms and in the New Year plans to launch a review of how the UK production industry operates.

It also suggests new providers could help deliver public-service media in future.

A consultation on the findings runs until March 16, 2021.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Regulation, Top Story Tagged With: Ofcom Edited: 8 December 2020 12:49

About Julian Clover

Julian Clover is a Media and Technology journalist based in Cambridge, UK. He works in online and printed media. Julian is also a voice on local radio. You can talk to Julian on Twitter @julianclover, on Facebook or by email at jclover@broadbandtvnews.com.

Latest News

  • EBU details role in keeping Ukraine PSB on-air
  • NBCUniversal to close Olympic Channel
  • WOW streaming service to launch on Telekom’s Magenta
  • ducktv makes a splash on Ziggo
  • Serie A returns to MENA screens after new broadcast contract

Watch Video

Xperi on using AI to identify your audience – ANGA COM Roundup Video

Patrick Byrden, Xperi's VP of Business Development & Strategy, tells Julian Clover how the company is using AI to detect who is watching the TV, and providing them with more relevant content. … [Watch Now ...]

24i on app development and viewer recommendations – ANGA COM Roundup Video

Julian Clover speaks to 24i's Sales Director Operator Solutions, Lennart Broers, about how apps are becoming more important to pay-TV operators, and the recent acquisition of recommendations company The Filter. … [Watch Now ...]

Free Ebook

eBook: Overcoming the Top 5 Challenges in Server-side IP Ad insertion

IP video is a game-changer for advertising. However, unlike traditional television, IP video is more dynamic, with new devices, formats, content and services to consider. … [Download the eBook...]

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2022 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

 

Loading Comments...