Public service broadcasters aim to both inform and entertain viewers while improving society. The BBC is a prime example, being formed in 1922 with a mandate from John Reith to educate, inform and entertain. Key dates include the start of BBC television in 1936 and the launch of commercial stations like ITV in 1954 and Channel 4 in 1982. Public service broadcasters are largely funded by licenses fees while commercial stations rely on advertising revenue. There is debate around whether the public service broadcasting model remains relevant in today's competitive media landscape.

1. Public Service BroadcastingPublic Service Broadcasting
 Public service broadcasters generally transmit
programming that aims to improve society by
informing viewers
 Public service broadcasters also strive to
entertain their viewers

2. Public Service BroadcastingPublic Service Broadcasting
 The BBC is a good example of a Public Service
Broadcaster. Here are some key dates:
– 1922, the BBC is formed and John Reith is
installed as General Manager
– The company begins a daily radio broadcast
– 1925, following the invention of television, Reith
presents a statement of his views on broadcasting.
He argues that broadcasting should:
 Educate, inform and entertain
 Act as a cultural, moral and educative force

3. Public Service BroadcastingPublic Service Broadcasting
 Further key dates:
– 1936-39, BBC television begins broadcasting,
although radio is still dominant
– 1954, the Television Act allows commercial
television to be broadcast, although it must keep to
some of the principles of public service and:
 Educate, inform and entertain
– 1955, ITV begins transmitting
– 1982, Channel 4 is launched
– 1984, Sky satellite channel is launched

4. Commercial TelevisionCommercial Television
 The aim of commercial stations (ITV, 5 and
SKY) is to provide popular shows that attract
an audience -therefore leading to higher prices
when advertising is sold
 For this reason, the ideals of public
broadcasting are often incompatible with
commercial goals
 See TV Ratings

5. Channel 4Channel 4
 Channel 4 was set up after a 1977 government
report argued that television was not meeting
the needs of a diverse society
 Channel 4 thus has a legal duty to:
– Inform, educate and entertain
– Appeal to tastes not catered for by ITV
– Encourage diversity and originality
– Be distinctive
 Channel 4 is thus both commercial and PSB

6. FundingFunding
 75% of the BBC’s funding comes from the
licence fee (currently set at £131.50)
 The remaining income comes from commercial
activities such as:
– Worldwide sales of its programmes
– Publications such as Radio Times, Top Gear, Good
Food, etc

7. FundingFunding
 All commercial terrestrial stations (ITV, 5) are
funded by advertising

8. FundingFunding
 Satellite stations such as SKY are funded
through:
– Advertising
– Subscriptions charges

9. FundingFunding
 Channel 4 is both a commercial channel and
has a public service broadcasting (PSB) duty. It
is therefore funded through:
– Advertising
– Some Government funding (a small part of the
licence fee)

10. Funding - IssuesFunding - Issues
 The future of the licence fee is under attack in
today's competitive market
– Why should consumers pay when they can get
quality programming elsewhere?
– The BBC has launched digital stations such as
BBC News 24, BBC3 and BBC4 but these are not
universally available

11. PSB – Key ArgumentsPSB – Key Arguments
 Arguments against:
– Outdated
– Irrelevant
– Elitist
– Restricting competition which could bring
increased choice and ‘quality’

12. PSB – Key ArgumentsPSB – Key Arguments
 Arguments for:
– Maintain the principle of an ‘enlightened
democracy’
– Maintain the high standards of broadcasting
– Judge success by ‘quality’ rather than ratings
– Continue the idea of a shared experience – guard
against the narrowcasting of satellite TV