Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom
Encyclopedia
In the United Kingdom
the term "public service broadcasting" (PSB) refers to broadcasting intended for the public benefit rather than for purely commercial concerns. The communications regulator Ofcom
, requires that certain television
and radio
broadcasters fulfil certain requirements as part of their licence to broadcast. All of the BBC
's television and radio stations have a public service remit, including those that broadcast digitally
. Additionally, all stations broadcast on terrestrial analogue television – the ITV Network
, Channel 4
and Channel 5 – are obligated to provide public service programming as they can be viewed freely almost anywhere nationwide. The recently introduced 'third tier' of approaching 200 Community Radio services are also specifically recognised by Ofcom as being providers of public service broadcasting output, delivered under the terms of the Community Radio Order 2004. Commercial radio also has nominal public service obligations. However, the requirements imposed for commercial radio are generally fewer, normally requiring only a minimum level of news.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
the term "public service broadcasting" (PSB) refers to broadcasting intended for the public benefit rather than for purely commercial concerns. The communications regulator Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
, requires that certain television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
broadcasters fulfil certain requirements as part of their licence to broadcast. All of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's television and radio stations have a public service remit, including those that broadcast digitally
Digital broadcasting
Digital broadcasting is the practice of using digital data rather than analogue waveforms to carry broadcasts over television channels or assigned radio frequency bands...
. Additionally, all stations broadcast on terrestrial analogue television – the ITV Network
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
, Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
and Channel 5 – are obligated to provide public service programming as they can be viewed freely almost anywhere nationwide. The recently introduced 'third tier' of approaching 200 Community Radio services are also specifically recognised by Ofcom as being providers of public service broadcasting output, delivered under the terms of the Community Radio Order 2004. Commercial radio also has nominal public service obligations. However, the requirements imposed for commercial radio are generally fewer, normally requiring only a minimum level of news.
External links
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – Official site
- The BBC and the future of Public Service Broadcasting
- Channel 4 Television – Official site