Measures have been announced today, to ensure the quality of public service broadcasting.
These include a commitment by ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 to extend their childrens’ output and confirmation from Ofcom that traditional channels will remain “easy to find”.
The broadcasting regulator has also stated that “the time is right” for a national debate on the future of public service broadcasting.
It comes as broadcasters are facing “unprecedented competition” from on-demand and streaming services, such as Prime and Netflix.
“Our traditional broadcasters are among the finest in the world. But they’re facing unprecedented challenges from competition and new technology,” said Kevin Bakhurst, Ofcom’s Group Director for Content and Media Policy.
“So we are ensuring their channels remain easy to find on TV guides, and convening a national debate on the future of public service media – including how we safeguard its benefits for future generations.”
Ofcom will be making recommendations to the Government for new legislation to help ensure PSB programmes and players are clearly visible on internet connected devices, including smart TVs, set-top boxes and streaming sticks.
Currently the regulator cannot extend its prominence rules beyond traditional television sets, so Parliament would need to legislate to include online platforms and services.
In order to meet the proposed rules, broadcasters’ on-demand services would need to deliver an “appropriate” range of high-quality PSB content, such as children’s current affairs and factual.
With children’s output, it has also announced that ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 have committed to improving their provision. Ofcom said that it had identified a requirement for more content to help children understand the world and reflect their diverse lives – particularly for older children.
ITV has already put out a call for live action entertainment programmes for CITV and has increased its budget by almost 10% to fund more original commissions and develop a new online news and current affairs service for 12-15 year olds.
Channel 4 will be setting up a new digital-first service for 13-16 year olds, based around a YouTube channel. There will also be new commissions aimed at teenagers.
Channel 5 says that it will be doubling its Milkshake budget and increase original programme hours from 29 to 50 annually by 2021.
Finally, Ofcom has announced its Small Screen: Big Debate forum, to discuss a new framework for public service media in the future.
It hopes to involve indies, broadcasters, government, industry bodies and viewers groups.
“Given the pace of change in television viewing habits, technology and competition, the debate will need to address questions such where PSB content should be available in future; who should provide it; and how to guarantee a mix of high-quality UK content online,” it stated.
Broadcasters released this joint statement in response:
Joint statement on Ofcom’s recommendation on public service content prominence.
“The BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, S4C and STV welcome Ofcom’s recommendations which would give British public service content prominence in the era of on-demand and internet TV viewing.
“As public service broadcasters we are committed to giving audiences the best British programmes and impartial and trusted news. Viewers say they value our content and want to be able to find it easily.
“These recommendations would ensure viewers can easily find public service broadcasting (PSB) content across a range of devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes and streaming sticks, and bring the rules up to date for the digital age.
“Rapid changes in technology and how we watch TV mean the flexible framework recommended – so the new rules can quickly be adapted to changes in technology and viewer behaviour – is also warmly welcomed.
“The proposals will require primary legislation so over the summer we will be working closely with Ofcom, DCMS and Parliamentarians on next steps. We hope this can happen quickly.”
