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In the published document, Building Public Value, The BBC allege that Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) “can perhaps best be defined as a range of high-quality programmes and services whose only aim is to serve the public interest, be universally available, and treat people equitably and fairly” (BBC, 2005: 26). However, over the years, the concept of PSB has broadened, thus a “concrete definition of public service content and indeed, public service broadcasting, remains elusive” (p.8, Public Service Content: First Report of Session 2007-08, Vol 1, Media and Sport Committee House of Commons- Culture, Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Culture, Media and Sport Committee, The Stationary Office, 2007). Director of Economic Policy Studies, Irwin Stelzer, at the Hudson Institute averred that “‘the hunt for definition is a feckless search’, as it allow policy-makers to make the ‘mistake’ of defining public service content as ‘anything you want it to be’” (p.8, Public Service Content: First Report of Session 2007-08, Vol 1, Media and Sport Committee House of Commons- Culture, Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Culture, Media and Sport Committee, The Stationary Office, 2007). Thus there is some discrepancy between definitions of PSB, although what we can certify is that in the UK PSB refers to broadcasting intended for the public interest rather than for the sole purpose of commercial
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ITV began broadcasting in 1955, initially considering itself a “popular alternative to the elitist provided by the BBC”. (P.3, Public Service Broadcasting: A Reader, James McDonnel, 1990, Routledge). It was such a success that it attained more than 70% of ratings within two years of its broadcasting commencement (P.116, Media Equities: Evaluation and Trading, Christopher Gasson, Woodhead Publishing, 1995, Cambridge, England). BBC2 was launched in 1964 to compete for the mass audience. It was presented as “a clear alternative to BBC1...”, whose provision of programming “aims to cater for special interests” (P.114, Rethinking the Media Audience: The New Agenda, Pertti Alasuutari, SAGE Publications Ltd, 1999). With the subsequent advent of the state owned commercial public service broadcaster- Channel 4 in 1982, and commercial analogue broadcasters- ITV, and channel 5 in 1995 (rebranded as Five in 2002) (P.178, Modern Scottish Culture, Michael Gardiner, Edinburgh University Press, 2005), and with the growing power of satellite broadcasters, many question whether it is longer necessary for the BBC’s public service. In The Review of the BBC’s Royal Charter, it is stated that “a lot of sky output meets the standard of public service broadcasting although it is not obliged to” (The Review of the BBC’s Royal Charter: 1st Report of Session 2005-06, Volume II: Evidence, P.42, Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Select Committee on the BBC Charter Review, The Stationary Office, 2005). Furthermore, Channel 4 and Five have considerable public service obligations which are mandatory if they wish to withhold their broadcasting licence, thus PSB is not unique to the BBC. One could argue that the licence fee is unjust as the public must pay for services provided by
ITV began broadcasting in 1955, initially considering itself a “popular alternative to the elitist provided by the BBC”. (P.3, Public Service Broadcasting: A Reader, James McDonnel, 1990, Routledge). It was such a success that it attained more than 70% of ratings within two years of its broadcasting commencement (P.116, Media Equities: Evaluation and Trading, Christopher Gasson, Woodhead Publishing, 1995, Cambridge, England). BBC2 was launched in 1964 to compete for the mass audience. It was presented as “a clear alternative to BBC1...”, whose provision of programming “aims to cater for special interests” (P.114, Rethinking the Media Audience: The New Agenda, Pertti Alasuutari, SAGE Publications Ltd, 1999). With the subsequent advent of the state owned commercial public service broadcaster- Channel 4 in 1982, and commercial analogue broadcasters- ITV, and channel 5 in 1995 (rebranded as Five in 2002) (P.178, Modern Scottish Culture, Michael Gardiner, Edinburgh University Press, 2005), and with the growing power of satellite broadcasters, many question whether it is longer necessary for the BBC’s public service. In The Review of the BBC’s Royal Charter, it is stated that “a lot of sky output meets the standard of public service broadcasting although it is not obliged to” (The Review of the BBC’s Royal Charter: 1st Report of Session 2005-06, Volume II: Evidence, P.42, Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Select Committee on the BBC Charter Review, The Stationary Office, 2005). Furthermore, Channel 4 and Five have considerable public service obligations which are mandatory if they wish to withhold their broadcasting licence, thus PSB is not unique to the BBC. One could argue that the licence fee is unjust as the public must pay for services provided by