scholarly journals 'Distinctiveness' and programme diversity in public broadcasting revisited: A seven-country comparison

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Hendrickx ◽  
Tim Raats ◽  
Heritiana Ranaivoson ◽  
Michaël Opgenhaffen
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Public Broadcasting ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Scholarly Work ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
The Past ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Country Comparison

Abstract In the past decade, public service broadcasters have been confronted with major shifts affecting their remit, portfolio and financing. Heavily fuelled by cutbacks and increasing competition, discussions on 'distinctiveness' have resurfaced again and stand central in many policy discussions on the legitimacy of public service broadcasting. This article critically contextualizes discussions on distinctiveness within broader scholarly work on genre and genre diversity in public service broadcasting. It presents the findings of a comparative, quantitative study of the programming schedule of seven public broadcasters (Flanders, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal and the United Kingdom). The article addresses how discussions on distinctiveness tap into broader discussions on genre diversity and the amount of entertainment in public service broadcasting programming, how we can assess and compare the diversity of genre programming across different broadcasters, and to what extent high levels of specific genres such as entertainment can be linked to other performance indicators of the selected public broadcasters. The article provides a consistent comparison of genre outputs, based on an original database made of a large set of countries and a high, representative number of programmes and applies a consistent set of indexes to assess not only the share of entertainment but also the diversity of the programming. The underlying question to this article is to what extent genre is still valuable to measure performance and legitimacy of public service broadcasting, considering difficulties of measuring 'genre' as proxy for public service media's (PSM) effectiveness.

De publieke-omroepopdracht in de ogen van het publiek: survey-onderzoek naar de toekomstige taak van de Vlaamse publieke omroep

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Dhoest ◽  
Hilde Van den Bulck ◽  
Heidi Vandebosch ◽  
Myrte Dierckx
Keyword(s):  
Survey Research ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Public Broadcasting ◽  
Future Role ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
The Future ◽  
Current Task

The public broadcasting remit in the eyes of the audience: survey research into the future role of Flemish public service broadcasting The public broadcasting remit in the eyes of the audience: survey research into the future role of Flemish public service broadcasting In view of the discussion about the future position of public service broadcasting, this research investigates the expectations of Flemings regarding their public service broadcasting institution VRT. Based on the current task description of the VRT, a survey was effectuated among a representative sample of Flemings (N=1565). Questions were asked about the content (broad or complementary to commercial broadcasting), audience (broad or niche) and distinctive nature of public service broadcasting. The analysis shows that, overall, Flemings are in favour of a broad public service broadcasting institution with a strong focus on entertainment (besides information), oriented towards a broad audience. At the same time, they believe the institution should distinguish itself from its competitors, through quality, social responsibility, cultural identity and (particularly creative) innovation, among other things. Cluster analysis shows that the call to prioritize culture and education over entertainment, which dominates public debate, is representative of only a minority (20%) of highly educated Flemings.

Public Broadcasting through the Public Sphere: A Reimagining of Public Service Media in New Zealand

2014 ◽  
Vol 153 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Reid
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The State ◽  
Public Broadcasting ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
Broadcasting System ◽  
Rural Broadband ◽  
The Public Sphere

During 2013, the New Zealand government heralded the launch of the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) and Rural Broadband Initiatives (RBI) as significant tools across a range of economic and social policy areas, including the delivery of education and health services and the promotion of development policies for Maori. Conspicuously absent in the associated political discussion was the issue of public service broadcasting and the possibility for internet-based technologies to provide an efficient and cost-effective platform for the production and delivery of non-commercial public service media. The reason for this omission may be due to the governing National Party's historic disregard for public service broadcasting, as demonstrated by its disestablishment of a number of public broadcasting initiatives since 1999. Drawing on a Habermasian theoretical framework and Dan Hind's concept of ‘public commissioning’, the purpose of this article is to outline an alternative system for public service broadcasting based on a series of referenda and on open public debate. I begin by examining the present public broadcasting system and the traditional centrality of the state in governance and gatekeeping issues. I argue that the communicative potential of social media, enabled by universally accessible ultra-fast broadband, could provide an adequate platform for public gatekeeping, with the state having a significantly reduced role. I make the argument that the technological and resourcing mechanisms for such a system already exist, and the required shift in audience culture is already present in the consumption of entertainment and reality TV texts.

The ABC and the 2006 Federal Media Reforms

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Jacka
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Public Broadcasting ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Public Discussion ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
Political Interference

This article dissects the implications for the ABC of the current Australian government media reforms. If the quality of policy development and discussion of such changes to key media laws and policy is poor in general, the level of consideration of the role of public broadcasting is worse. The author also considers other perennial dilemmas such as advertising on the ABC, governance and political interference, concluding that the new communications landscapes makes the ABC and public service broadcasting more necessary than ever — yet it is still awaiting a thorough exploration and adequate public discussion.

Do More — With Less: Some Challenges for the Public Service Broadcaster

1986 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-26
Author(s):  
Malcolm Long
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Media

The 1980s seems to be the decade in which public service broadcasting will have to answer for its existence as never before. Certainly in most countries, where public service broadcasting is part of the media scene, there has been the bubbling of controversy in the past: heated debates about funding; disagreements about program policies; revelations of management inefficiency and incompetence. These things are perhaps all part of the complex, somewhat neurotic love/hate relationship that audiences have with their national broadcaster. In recent years, however, the ‘debate’ about public service broadcasting has taken on a new tone. It is almost a frantic debate, conducted with a great deal of energy by government, broadcasters and audiences, and often with considerable bitterness. There is now a constant testing of the legitimacy of the public service broadcaster. Those of us who work within these organisations find that we are required regularly to make the argument for national broadcasting and to restate the philosophical assumptions that underpin its existence. Why is this so?

scholarly journals ‘It could redefine public service broadcasting in the digital age’

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Final Approval ◽  
Broadcast Television ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Future ◽  
History Of

In November 2015, the BBC Trust gave its final approval for BBC Three to cease broadcasting on television in the United Kingdom and become an online-only entity. The decision is a landmark moment in the history of BBC Television and has significant implications for BBC planning in relation to the continued transition from broadcast television to streaming and download services. In this article, the original proposals for moving BBC Three online are assessed and discussed within the wider context of current BBC policy. It is argued that the rationale used for moving BBC Three online is based on arguments that vary in the extent to which they are backed by evidence. It is also argued that the plans have significant regulatory implications for the future of BBC Television and for the television licence fee in the United Kingdom.

scholarly journals The EU, the member states and the future of public broadcasting

2005 ◽  
pp. 231-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Holtz- Bacha
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Public Broadcasting ◽  
Member States ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
Special Circumstances ◽  
Considerable Pressure ◽  
Eu Commission ◽  
State Aids ◽  
The Eu

Public service broadcasting (PSB) has come under considerable pressure by the EU Commission. This is due to the fact that the Commission treats broadcasting as a service as any other and therefore applies the competition regulation of the EC Treaty to broadcasting stations, independent of their commercial interests or public service mission. Against this background, the financing of public broadcasting is regarded as being state aids that are only allowed under special circumstances. In recent years, several commercial broadcasters from different member states filed complaints and claimed distortion of competition through state aids for public service broadcasting. At first, the Commission remained reluctant but has meanwhile adopting an active role, finally pushing aside the member states although, according to the Amsterdam Protocol, they have the competence to define the remit of PSB and to decide about its funding. This battle is about to change the broadcasting systems of the European countries where PSB has been a defining feature for more than 50.

Public service media, an overview: Reflecting on news and trends

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-259
Author(s):  
Sally-Ann Wilson
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Core Values ◽  
Public Broadcasting ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
The Core ◽  
Media System ◽  
Public Media ◽  
New Media Technologies

This commentary outlines the impacts of new media technologies and changed global geopolitics on public service broadcasting (PSB); documents the core values of public broadcasting as a media system, noting its evolution to public service media (PSM); and provides an overview of the current threats to and erosion of independent public media worldwide. However, PSM remains the most trusted source for news and information and a call for better global advocacy for public media.

scholarly journals The datafication of Public Service Media

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (69) ◽  
pp. 090-115
Author(s):  
Jannick Kirk Sørensen
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Key Performance Indicators ◽  
Video On Demand ◽  
Business Rules ◽  
Public Service Broadcasting ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Path Dependencies ◽  
Demand Service

Historically, public service broadcasting had no quantifiable knowledge aboutaudiences, nor a great interest in knowing them. Today, the competitive logic of themedia markets encourage public service media (PSM) organizations to increasedatafication. In this paper we examine how a PSM organization interprets the classicpublic service obligations of creating societal cohesion and diversity in the newworld of key performance indicators, business rules and algorithmic parameters.The paper presents a case study of the implementation of a personalization systemfor the video on demand service of the Danish PSM ‘DR’. Our empirical findings,based on longitudinal in-depth interviewing, indicate a long and difficult processof datafication of PSM, shaped by both the organizational path dependencies ofbroadcasting production and the expectations of public service broadcasting.

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