New Report: Public service broadcasting in the age of video on demand inquiry

The Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee have published the finding of their enquiry on Public Service Broadcasting. The report, for which Prof. Steven Barnett acted as Specialist Advisor, warns that public service broadcasters (PSBs) need to be better supported to ensure that they can continue to produce high-quality drama and documentaries which reflect and examine UK culture. In return, the broadcasters need to adapt to ensure that they serve and reflect all audiences.

The report also recommends that the government and regulators should establish a new Commission to ensure that the process for setting the BBC licence fee is both independent and transparent; that PSB content should be prominent on all platforms; and that more effort is made to promote diversity in training and employment in the TV production industry.

The report offers a significant contribution to future debates about broadcasting policy in the on demand era, with a positive message about the continuing value and importance of PSB.

The full report and evidence can be found on the committee’s website here: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/communications-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/public-service-broadcasting-and-vod/

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