The Ofcom PSB Review explores the future of all the genres on TV threatened by the collapse of the commercial channels’ commitment to public service broadcasting (such as regional news, current affairs and arts programming). These programmes were always underpinned by regulatory requirements and the fact that all the main broadcasters are “gifted” valuable spectrum on analogue TV, in return for which they provide a certain number of hours of the types of programmes which are difficult to fund with advertising revenue. As digital switch-over brings that to an end, the future looks bleak for all these genres. Of course this was already identified by the research into children’s television conducted last year. Those findings have now been folded into the larger PSB Review, and there is now a chapter on kids’ content called “Prospects for Children’s Broadcasting”. There is also an annexe, Annexe 10, available on the Ofcom website which contains the findings of the children’s review.
Ofcom accepts that there is a crisis in kids’ TV and that a new scenario and new funding is needed, but it sees this as the problem for all PSB programming and proposes that any solutions found should cover all genres.
Four models are put forward for discussion
1.Evolution
In this scenario the BBC, Channel4, ITV1/GMTV and potentially Five would all retain public service roles,along with S4C and GMS. The BBC would continue to be funded by the Licence Fee and Channel 4 and ITV1 would have revised PSB remits, potentially funded by enhanced indirect funding. Competition in the allocation of resources would only come via the periodic licence renewal
2.BBC only
In this model the BBC would be the only UK-wide institutional intervention in PSB and the only publicly owned UK-wide distributor of public service content. Plurality would be delivered by commercial,public and community organisations operating on various platforms. The BBC would take on an enhanced role (potentially with increased funding) to deliver programming needs currently met by other institutions that the market will not provide in the future
3.BBC/C4 plus competitive funding
Under this model the BBC, Channel4, S4C and GMS would retain their roles as publicly owned public service institutions with remits to maximise reach and impact across platforms. Channel4 would take on an enhanced role on older children’s content provision to ensure plurality. The ITV1 and Five licences would become purely commercial
Other providers which are already reaching the children’s audience could be funded through competition for funding to deliver UK children’s content.
In this model other broadcasters would also be able to compete for long term but transferable funding to provide public service content…..
4.Broad competitive funding
In this approach the BBC would be the only institutional provider of public service content for children. All other services would be provided through long term but transferable funding and providers would tender periodically for both production and distribution contracts. (This is similar to the Teachers TV model)
The pros and cons of these models are set out in the document.
Some short term proposals specific to kid’s TV are also discussed.
Tax incentives: Ofcom say that although these are worth investigating they are outside their remit and a matter for government.
Ofcom also suggests that the BBC could do more and urges the BBC Trust to clarify the overall level of investment in kids’ content; look at widening the output for older kids post 7pm, and increase the amount of drama and factual for this age group and young teens.
The channel 4 pilot and declared interest in older kid’s programming is welcomed.
Ofcom believes that S4C should play a greater role in the provision of programming for non-Welsh audiences through creating incentives for re-versioning or double shooting.
Ofcom intends to continue discussions in these areas.
It is clear that Ofcom has taken the kids’ issue very seriously and SKTV will take time to consider the options carefully and respond. (The closing date for responses is 19th June).
However the main issue is the timing . After the 19th June Ofcom will consider the responses and will publish a further consultation in the autumn, this will include specific proposals on options for kids’ TV. However Ofcom can only recommend – it is for the Government to legislate. According to Ofcom’s own timetable, legislation is unlikely to happen before 2011, and a general election could scupper the whole process!
Children’s TV can’t afford to wait so long and we need to intensify the pressure on government to recognise the seriousness of the situation.
SKTV will be considering it’s strategy over the next few weeks and it would be good to hear your opinions. Please find time to read the proposals and let us have your thoughts.
