1.40
On the assumption that an appropriately funded, independent BBC will continue to be the cornerstone of UK public service broadcasting, two questions stand out:
- Should some or all of the existing commercially funded public service broadcasters retain special roles in delivery of public purposes in future?
- Should further funding be available for provision beyond the BBC?
Martin Curry on 10 April 2008 at 2:50pm
i) Yes, the publically owned commercially funded channels, Channel 4, S4C, should retain PSB requirements, as well as the priveleges, e.g. due prominenance on epgs, must carry status on cable systems, and the existing preferential pricing for broadcasting on DTT.
The non publically owned channels should retain PSB requirements, whilst they retain benefits from that status, including their epg position, such as 3/103 for ITV 1 and 5/105 for five,their must carry status on cable, and their preferential price for carriage on DTT.
ii) PSB type provision on non PSB broadcasters has been supported by direct government grant in the case of Teachers TV and the Community Channel, and of course in the case of the PSB, S4C.
This is probably the best way to support PSB broadcasting in the future, although it does carry the risk of being subject to EU intervention.
I do not support top slicing the licence fee, even if it only includes an amount equivelant to that currently top sliced to pay for DSO.