Public Service Broadcasting (PSB)

Definition

• PSB serves the public interest rather than commercial goals.
• Funded by license fees, advertising, or other sources.
• Example: BBC in the UK.

The BBC

• Mission: Inform, educate, entertain (Lord Reith, first director general).
• Regulation: Ofcom mandates impartial news, UK-originated content, distinctive programming.
• Content Requirements:
  • Daytime news allocation (e.g., Newsbeat).
  • Leisure interests: cooking, gardening.
  • Representation of local and regional themes.
• Global Influence: Soft power through international relations, reflecting UK culture and values.

Funding the BBC

• Financed by public via the license fee (£150/year).
• 2021 income from license fee: £3,750 million.
• Additional revenue: £1,314 million from commercial subsidiaries (e.g., BBC Studios).

Issues and Debates

1. Market distortion and anti-competitiveness due to steady revenue.
2. Outdated funding model amidst subscription services and changing habits.
3. Audience ratings pursuit vs. mission to inform, educate, entertain.
4. Media convergence requires BBC's independent voice.
5. Sustainability concerns with growing license fee refusals.

Other PSB in the UK

• ITV (1955):
  • Content for public interest: news, current affairs, children's, religious programming.
  • Funded by advertising (product placement).
• Channel 5: Private, regulated by Ofcom.
• Channel 4: Publicly owned, funded by advertising.
• Ofcom regulates advertising and teleshopping.

PSB Around the World

• France & Germany: License fees, advertising, sponsorships.
• America: Donations, fundraising, PSB network membership payments.
• Programming standards ensure funding source independence.
• List of public broadcasters by country.