News Release
21 January 2009
OFCOM PSB REPORT: NS WELCOMES MORE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL TELEVISION
The NS welcomes today’s report into public service broadcasting
and will want to explore with Ofcom the opportunities that will be
made available for regional and local newspaper companies to expand
their footprint into local television services.
Ofcom has announced it is creating more opportunities for
local television than have ever existed before by releasing
geographically targeted spectrum to the market. In addition, extra
spectrum capacity could be reserved to support local media
specifically. Ofcom will be conducting new work to explore the
provision of local content across television, radio, broadband and
online.
Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, said: “In news,
people want a choice alongside the BBC in the UK's devolved nations
and English regions. Viewers there say this is a priority. We
agree. The BBC has offered a partnership with ITV. This could offer
a way forward but may not offer a secure long-term solution. So the
government should plan now to ensure a choice of high-quality news
across the UK. This should include proposals for a new approach
based on independently funded news consortiums that may involve
news organisations beyond those in broadcasting.”
Ofcom says it believes the government should plan for an
alternative way of securing regional news for the devolved nations
and English regions from 2011. This could be delivered by
independent news consortia, funded through competitive tender and
with a broadcast programme slot preferably on Channel 3. Total
funding required could be £30-£50 million a year.
The main recommendations of Ofcom’s Second Public Service
Broadcasting Review: Putting Viewers First are:
- The BBC. Keep the BBC, funded
by the licence fee, at the heart of public service broadcasting in
the UK with a role in pioneering the development and take-up of
content across new digital platforms. We reject ‘top-slicing’ the
BBC’s funding for programmes and services.
- Commercial networks. Free up
ITV and Five as strong commercial networks making entertaining,
engaging UK content including national and international news, but
with limited public service commitments.
- News. Guarantee choice of
broadcast news in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and in the
regions of England by planning for a new way of delivering news
through consortia funded by competitive tender.
- Channel 4. Create a strong,
alternative public service voice to the BBC, with Channel 4 at the
heart, preferably though partnerships, joint ventures or even
mergers. A new remit, governance and accountability will be
essential.
Links:
The NS, the voice of Britain’s local
media, represents 1300 newspapers, 1200 websites, 450 magazines,
250 ultra local titles, 45 radio stations and two TV
stations.