First – an apology for the long gap since the last newsletter. It’s been a very busy couple of months for Save Kids’ TV. There have been heartening signs that the campaign is not only being noticed, but is starting to have an impact. But this week’s news about ITV1 hours (see below) reminds us we shouldn’t assume all will be well. The fight goes on.
1. ITV PRESSURE ON OFCOM
Recent press reports have revealed that ITV now has no intention of meeting its quota of 8 hours a week of children’s programmes on ITV1, averaged across the year, despite the regulator, Ofcom, making it quite clear that they consider anything less “a significant change”.
In the aptly named SOPP (Statement of Programme Policy) published on the 22nd March, ITV states:
“Taking account of the opinion of the regulator and other relevant factors, ITV has substantially revised its proposals for children’s output on ITV1 in 2007. ITV will broadcast a significantly higher volume of children’s programmes than originally proposed to Ofcom, albeit a lower volume than in 2006. ITV will continue to provide a range of children’s programmes, including pre-school, drama and factual programmes, as well as entertainment and animation. A substantial proportion of ITV1’s children’s programmes will be originations. Children’s programmes will be scheduled across the year. There will be children’s programmes scheduled at weekends and weekdays in 2007; however ITV will weight its children’s output to weekends, where the children’s audience can be reached more effectively on ITV1.”
The original ITV proposal, rejected by Ofcom, was to transmit 5 hours a week. Now we discover that despite what the regulator says ITV plans to transmit 500 hours of children’s programming this year. However, about half of this will be in the GMTV time-slot, so in reality there’ll still only be around 5 hours a week on ITV1 – exactly what they asked for in the first place! How can this be “a significantly higher volume of programming than originally proposed”?
Furthermore, ITV themselves admitted last year that there is no prospect of any significant new commissioning in the near future. So it will be interesting to see where their “substantial proportion… of originations” will come from? Will they be acquired from outside the UK, or has ITV had a change of heart? Are we witnessing a whitewash at the Network Centre or are there real plans to commission again?
The issue has always been that Ofcom have powers to regulate the number of hours CITV transmits on ITV1, but no powers to tell it how much to spend or how much should be newly commissioned programming. ITV say that their new channel is successful and full of good programmes. This is true – but very soon almost none of them will be new. It will be a channel of repeats – because they are not commissioning new content. Save Kids’ TV believes that ITV should be obliged by the regulator to keep kids’ programmes on ITV1 until digital switchover. Public service content is the trade-off for the valuable spectrum they use to transmit ITV1 as a terrestrial channel. But as switch-off approaches – the real issue is that ITV needs to spend money on original production if UK kids aren’t going to be deprived of the quality content they deserve.
Meanwhile it’s difficult to assess Ofcom’s position on this. The Guardian quoted an Ofcom spokesman as saying: “ITV neither sought Ofcom’s approval, nor did we give it. Ofcom is required to offer guidance, and we made it clear that Ofcom expects ITV to remain a significant commissioning force in children’s television with a range of programmes that suit a variety of children’s tastes and needs.” So while they are not talking about hours, they do appear to be talking about ITV’s commitment to commissioning.
SKTV feels it’s time for Ofcom and ITV to clarify their positions on this. Does ITV’s “investment in the channel” mean new programming commissioned here in the UK, and if so, how much? Will Ofcom comment on the ITV reduction in hours now or are they waiting until the year end? Perhaps both parties should tell the full story if there really is good news for the production community and British kids.
2. DCMS SUMMIT
ITV’s plans for the future will no doubt feature prominently in the summit called by the Minister for the Creative Industries, Shaun Woodward, which will be hosted by BAFTA on April 25th. A special meeting of invited figures, including key Chief Executives of broadcasting companies, will try to find solutions for the current crisis. Save Kids’ TV will be represented at the meeting.
3. FIVE SHRINKS THE KIDS
Channel Five’s commitment to children’s output has also shrunk under the pressure of the funding crisis. Five’s MD, Lisa Opie, has announced that the older-skewing “Shake” block will be cancelled leaving the popular pre-school “Milkshake” block as the only children’s output on the channel. Sad news from an ex Children’s Channel producer, and once again proof that the kids’ industry is in retreat in the face of tremendous commercial pressure.
4. THE REGULATOR’S REVIEW
On the plus side Ofcom have announced the timetable and terms of reference for their review of children’s public service broadcasting. They’ll be conducting interviews with a range of interested parties. Some SKTV supporters have already been called in their individual capacities, connected to their role in the industry. If you are intending to give evidence to the inquiry – could you let us know at admin@savekidstv.org.uk so that we can get a picture of how Ofcom are approaching it. Save Kids’ TV’s official meeting with Ofcom is on 3rd April and we are preparing evidence for that now. The review is an excellent opportunity to make clear to them just how serious the problem is, not just for the children’s media industry but for British kids, who’ll be the losers in the long run; and of course to stimulate Ofcom into doing their own research into how other territories cope with funding local production in the kids’ sector.
5. RESEARCH
On the subject of research… As a result of a kind donation by Jocelyn Stevenson, Save Kids’ TV was able to commission The University of Westminster to carry out a review of all the recent research into the positive effects of watching television amongst children. In fact there’s a great deal of evidence for the benefits to children, benefits perceived by their parents and benefits to society as a whole, from a reasonable time spent watching quality kids’ TV (the sort of TV that’s under threat in the current climate!) The research digest will be made available on the Save Kids’ TV website soon, and can be used as a quick reference for press quotes etc, which was something the international community requested at our meeting last year.
The SKTV Funding Group is also researching the finance models being used in other territories to support local kids’ TV production. They are working closely with the producers’ alliance, PACT, to co-ordinate this research activity.
6. INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE
Further meetings of executives in children’s media have taken place to develop where possible an alliance between broadcasters, producers and advocacy organisations, like our own, around the issue of how kids’ media portrays itself in a world in which blame for a variety of problems now seems to regularly fall at its door. At the Kidscreen Conference in New York over 30 of the world’s key creative and business heads met to discuss the problems of image and portrayal at a special invited meeting. It was agreed that the problems of industry portrayal being experienced in the UK now were beginning to emerge in other territories, particularly Canada, Australia and New Zealand – and there was news that in the U.S. concerned senators had already met the media regulatory body the FCC, to discuss media’s relationship to childhood obesity.
The informal alliance behind these international discussions (Save Kids’ TV - UK, the American Center for Media and Children - USA, and Action for Children’s Television – Canada) will continue to monitor events and develop strategies for co-operation. The next international event planned is a workshop at the World Summit for Media and Children which is being held in Johannesburg this week.
7. DONATIONS WELCOME
Up to now Save Kids’ TV has been run entirely on the goodwill, time and in some cases financial support of a small group of active volunteers. We have of course benefited hugely from a wide range of supporters contributing their ideas, and offers of help. These have been as varied as free meeting rooms to making films for viral PR campaigns. We are currently trying to take up these offers in the most effective ways. Supporters have also been helpful with introductions to celebrity patrons, and in providing contacts with special expertise such as PR, accountancy or legal advice.
Now there is a simple way in which everyone can show their direct support for the Campaign – by giving a donation which would help with our running costs. Cheques can be made out to “Save Kids’ TV” and sent to: Save Kids’ TV, PO Box 56614, London W13 0XS. We are not a charity so there is no question of Gift Aid or anything complicated – but we will acknowledge your donation and send a receipt if you supply your name and address. For those who wish to make a direct bank transfer, the SKTV Treasurer will be able to provide banking details if you email him at www.showcomotionconference.com for the details.
Making a commotion continues to be our primary aim. We need to raise awareness amongst the British public – especially parents – that the quality and range of their kids’ content is severely under threat. You can help by sending out the parents’ letter which can be downloaded from the SKTV website www.savekidstv.org.uk/action
It doesn’t ask much – just that parents register their support. But it’s the key to Save Kids’ TV being listened to – that we have the backing of mums and dads across the UK.
With that aim in mind – we would be keen to hear from anyone who feels they might be able to make introductions or representations to organisations which could support the campaign – parenting or teachers’ bodies, kids’ cultural groups, children’s charities or family support organisations. If you have influence or connections, now’s the time to let us know, at admin@savekidstv.org.uk.
