Question: How well does the British Broadcasting industry serve the audience?
Saturday 30 May 2009
Monday 18 May 2009
Essay
Question: Identify the challenges faced by public service broadcasting in recent years and consider its place in the current UK broadcasting environment.
There are many different challenges faced by public service broadcasting in today’s society for many different reasons. There are many debates even if there is any need for public service broadcasting today as there are many different ways of watching programs.
The only way to watch programs a few years ago was on television, but over the past few years it has been made easier to watch programs in many different ways. It is now possible to watch television programs on the internet and even watch old episodes of sitcoms on an iPod or phone.
Tuesday 5 May 2009
Essay:
Question: ‘Explain how broadcasting in a deregulated Britain offers more or less choice, depending on your point of view.’
The 1990 Broadcasting Act brought about a huge shift in British broadcasting, allowing broadcasters to operate much more freely in various ways. With this freedom, one might assume, would come more choice, as broadcasters compete in a larger and more varied marketplace for even larger audiences with, thanks to lucrative advertising and sponsorship opportunities, even larger budgets. However, as I will show, although deregulation has created more choice in British broadcasting in some ways for some people, its effects and implications have not been so positive in other ways for other people.
In the 1990 Broadcasting act it brought out some changes and one of them was that the Government intervention into broadcasting content was to be reduced, but they had to still provide taste, decency and quality. This meant that on tele there was more freedom and previously it was more limited on what was screened on the channels, this included things such as sex and swearing. This creates more choice for the audience as they could watch different shows that could show things such as sex or bad language rather than before which was strictly against this. However this may not appeal to an older audience, as they do not agree with this type of behaviour shown on television.
The next thing that was introduced was that subscription television to increase, with new methods of transmission encouraged. This included bringing in subscription television such as Sky, Freeview and Virgin media on demand. This gave an audience a lot more choice into what they wanted to watch, and allowing companies to make niche channels to appeal to their taste. However the problem with subscription television is that not everyone can afford to pay monthly to watch more channels. I did a class experiment in who had subscription tele, who had non-subscription tele and who had Freeview. I found out that 75% had subscription tele which was 50% Sky and 25% Virgin media and only 25% had non-subscription tele. This shows that the larger percentage of people is willing to pay monthly for more channels to watch the programmes they want. This is why Freeview is good for most audiences as it is a one off payment for more channels for life or until the methods of transmission changes. Especially in today’s society everyone soon with have switch to digital, which is going to cost everyone a quite a lot of money as they will have to buy a new television.
The next thing was advertising and sponsorship of programming to be allowed in new ways, and advertising rates to be kept in checked by increased competition. For example now a company can sponsor a programme such as Coronation Street is sponsored by Harvey’s the furniture store, Dominos pizza for Britain’s Got Talent and Kiddicare.com sponsors Katie And Peter Stateside. This also allows for more space for advertising and also the advertising can be scheduled to be on when the target audience is watching. This will increase the money that companies get in, as there is more chance it will be watched and also it would be cheaper to advertise. The problems with this is that channels such as ITV show adverts during the middle of a programme which some viewers find annoying or unnecessary. Whereas the BBC is the opposite and doesn’t show adverts in the middle of programmes.
The next thing is competition between broadcasters to be encouraged that would mean moving away from the BBX and ITV duopoly. This allowed more channels to be shown, which gave the audience more choice of what they wanted to watch. These could be certain channels for different audiences such as music channels there are a number of different radio stations such as kiss and Israeli channels. Also they include things such as cooking channels, sport channels and shopping channels. This gives the audience more choice into watching or listening to something they really are interested rather than just anything. However the terrestrial channels still keep quite safe in showing programmes that would appeal to a wide audience, and could only get the benefits of individual channels if they paid for it.
The next thing is the introduction of a fifth terrestrial channel and more satellite services. This would give the ITV and the BBC more competition, as it is free to everyone with terrestrial TV. However the problem with channel 5 is that not everyone can receive the signal therefore you can only get it on subscription tele.
Overall I think that broadcasting in a deregulated Britain offers both more and less as it depends on the audience and if they have subscription or non-subscription tele. However I think since The 1990 Broadcasting Act has given television programmes a lot more choices and more freedom with the programmes they choose to do.
The 1990 Broadcasting Act brought about a huge shift in British broadcasting, allowing broadcasters to operate much more freely in various ways. With this freedom, one might assume, would come more choice, as broadcasters compete in a larger and more varied marketplace for even larger audiences with, thanks to lucrative advertising and sponsorship opportunities, even larger budgets. However, as I will show, although deregulation has created more choice in British broadcasting in some ways for some people, its effects and implications have not been so positive in other ways for other people.
In the 1990 Broadcasting act it brought out some changes and one of them was that the Government intervention into broadcasting content was to be reduced, but they had to still provide taste, decency and quality. This meant that on tele there was more freedom and previously it was more limited on what was screened on the channels, this included things such as sex and swearing. This creates more choice for the audience as they could watch different shows that could show things such as sex or bad language rather than before which was strictly against this. However this may not appeal to an older audience, as they do not agree with this type of behaviour shown on television.
The next thing that was introduced was that subscription television to increase, with new methods of transmission encouraged. This included bringing in subscription television such as Sky, Freeview and Virgin media on demand. This gave an audience a lot more choice into what they wanted to watch, and allowing companies to make niche channels to appeal to their taste. However the problem with subscription television is that not everyone can afford to pay monthly to watch more channels. I did a class experiment in who had subscription tele, who had non-subscription tele and who had Freeview. I found out that 75% had subscription tele which was 50% Sky and 25% Virgin media and only 25% had non-subscription tele. This shows that the larger percentage of people is willing to pay monthly for more channels to watch the programmes they want. This is why Freeview is good for most audiences as it is a one off payment for more channels for life or until the methods of transmission changes. Especially in today’s society everyone soon with have switch to digital, which is going to cost everyone a quite a lot of money as they will have to buy a new television.
The next thing was advertising and sponsorship of programming to be allowed in new ways, and advertising rates to be kept in checked by increased competition. For example now a company can sponsor a programme such as Coronation Street is sponsored by Harvey’s the furniture store, Dominos pizza for Britain’s Got Talent and Kiddicare.com sponsors Katie And Peter Stateside. This also allows for more space for advertising and also the advertising can be scheduled to be on when the target audience is watching. This will increase the money that companies get in, as there is more chance it will be watched and also it would be cheaper to advertise. The problems with this is that channels such as ITV show adverts during the middle of a programme which some viewers find annoying or unnecessary. Whereas the BBC is the opposite and doesn’t show adverts in the middle of programmes.
The next thing is competition between broadcasters to be encouraged that would mean moving away from the BBX and ITV duopoly. This allowed more channels to be shown, which gave the audience more choice of what they wanted to watch. These could be certain channels for different audiences such as music channels there are a number of different radio stations such as kiss and Israeli channels. Also they include things such as cooking channels, sport channels and shopping channels. This gives the audience more choice into watching or listening to something they really are interested rather than just anything. However the terrestrial channels still keep quite safe in showing programmes that would appeal to a wide audience, and could only get the benefits of individual channels if they paid for it.
The next thing is the introduction of a fifth terrestrial channel and more satellite services. This would give the ITV and the BBC more competition, as it is free to everyone with terrestrial TV. However the problem with channel 5 is that not everyone can receive the signal therefore you can only get it on subscription tele.
Overall I think that broadcasting in a deregulated Britain offers both more and less as it depends on the audience and if they have subscription or non-subscription tele. However I think since The 1990 Broadcasting Act has given television programmes a lot more choices and more freedom with the programmes they choose to do.
Monday 27 April 2009
Letter of complaint for Brass Eye
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am writing in to complain about the episode of 'Brass Eye' that i viewed last night. i was discussed to watch this programme as it was making it seem that paedophilia was acceptable and something to laugh about. I feel strongly about this subject and don't think it is acceptable for these type off programmes to be broadcast on television, especially a terrestrial channel such as the BBC. As the BBC is funded by TV licences i think this is type of programme is very unacceptable.
Yours sincerely Leanne Puddick
I am writing in to complain about the episode of 'Brass Eye' that i viewed last night. i was discussed to watch this programme as it was making it seem that paedophilia was acceptable and something to laugh about. I feel strongly about this subject and don't think it is acceptable for these type off programmes to be broadcast on television, especially a terrestrial channel such as the BBC. As the BBC is funded by TV licences i think this is type of programme is very unacceptable.
Yours sincerely Leanne Puddick
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Programme standards and regulation- The ITC programme code and its application
What is the ITC programme?
The ITC programme had been taken over by Ofcom, which is an independant regulator company. Ofcom's statutory duties, as set down in the Communications Act 2003, and the regulatory principles it will seek to follow in fulfilling those duties
The code's concerns and how they deal with them:
-Material unsuitable for children must not be transmitted at times when large numbers
of children may be expected to be watching. I think this concern should be included as there is only certain content that should be shown to children. Also parents would have concern as their children would be able to access alot of different porogrammes including violent, drug taking and sexual films, if they were on all day and children could access them. This also benefits the companies who make the programmes as they can target the audience more carefully and have more chance of their target auduience is watching it.
-After the watershed, and until 5.30am, material more suitable for an adult audience
may be shown. However, care should be taken in the period immediately after the
watershed. There should be a gradual transition and it may be that a programme will
be acceptable at 10.30pm for example that would not be suitable at 9pm. Decisions
will also depend on the nature of the channel and the audience it attracts. Material
which is particularly adult in tone should be scheduled appropriately and clearly
signposted. I think this is needed as people go to bed at certain times and programmes that have more of a niche audience should be on later.
- Viewers do not choose to see promotional material, so special care is required in
scheduling. All trailers and promotions shown before the watershed must comply
with Family Viewing Policy. I think this is necessary as it wouldnt be appropriate for a rated new film which was an 18, would be appropriate for young children to watch, either by the scenes of language.
The ITC programme had been taken over by Ofcom, which is an independant regulator company. Ofcom's statutory duties, as set down in the Communications Act 2003, and the regulatory principles it will seek to follow in fulfilling those duties
The code's concerns and how they deal with them:
-Material unsuitable for children must not be transmitted at times when large numbers
of children may be expected to be watching. I think this concern should be included as there is only certain content that should be shown to children. Also parents would have concern as their children would be able to access alot of different porogrammes including violent, drug taking and sexual films, if they were on all day and children could access them. This also benefits the companies who make the programmes as they can target the audience more carefully and have more chance of their target auduience is watching it.
-After the watershed, and until 5.30am, material more suitable for an adult audience
may be shown. However, care should be taken in the period immediately after the
watershed. There should be a gradual transition and it may be that a programme will
be acceptable at 10.30pm for example that would not be suitable at 9pm. Decisions
will also depend on the nature of the channel and the audience it attracts. Material
which is particularly adult in tone should be scheduled appropriately and clearly
signposted. I think this is needed as people go to bed at certain times and programmes that have more of a niche audience should be on later.
- Viewers do not choose to see promotional material, so special care is required in
scheduling. All trailers and promotions shown before the watershed must comply
with Family Viewing Policy. I think this is necessary as it wouldnt be appropriate for a rated new film which was an 18, would be appropriate for young children to watch, either by the scenes of language.
Sunday 29 March 2009
The Peacock Committee-1986
Report of the Committee on Financing the BBC(Cmnd 9824)July 1986Chairman: Professor Alan Peacock.Expected by the Thatcher government to conclude that the licence fee should be abolished, the Peacock Committee favoured retaining much of the existing system as a 'least worst' option.- terramedia.co.uk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_Committee
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Peacock_Committee
The Broadcasting Act-1990
The Broadcasting Act 1990 was the first step down the road of deregulation in British Broadcasting. It reversed previous restrictions on ownership of ITV franchises, whereby one company could hold only one franchise and overseas ownership was forbidden.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1990/ukpga_19900042_en_1 - The Broadcasting Act
http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/media/bact.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2000/nov/20/broadcasting.mondaymediasection2
The Hutton Report- 2004
Hutton report blames BBC- The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) is primarily at fault in the controversy leading up to the suicide of David Kelly, the microbiologist and Iraqi bioweapons expert, according to a long-awaited judge's inquiry report.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/jan/28/4
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3709243.stm
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/issue.php?issue_id=46 -Revolt at huttons's white wash
http://www.newstatesman.com/200402020004 - The hutton report- fear and loathing at the BBC
http://www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/about-us/press-releases/181006.pdf -Lord Hutton responds to media reaction to the Hutton Report
Report of the Committee on Financing the BBC(Cmnd 9824)July 1986Chairman: Professor Alan Peacock.Expected by the Thatcher government to conclude that the licence fee should be abolished, the Peacock Committee favoured retaining much of the existing system as a 'least worst' option.- terramedia.co.uk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_Committee
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Peacock_Committee
The Broadcasting Act-1990
The Broadcasting Act 1990 was the first step down the road of deregulation in British Broadcasting. It reversed previous restrictions on ownership of ITV franchises, whereby one company could hold only one franchise and overseas ownership was forbidden.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1990/ukpga_19900042_en_1 - The Broadcasting Act
http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/media/bact.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2000/nov/20/broadcasting.mondaymediasection2
The Hutton Report- 2004
Hutton report blames BBC- The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) is primarily at fault in the controversy leading up to the suicide of David Kelly, the microbiologist and Iraqi bioweapons expert, according to a long-awaited judge's inquiry report.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/jan/28/4
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3709243.stm
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/issue.php?issue_id=46 -Revolt at huttons's white wash
http://www.newstatesman.com/200402020004 - The hutton report- fear and loathing at the BBC
http://www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/about-us/press-releases/181006.pdf -Lord Hutton responds to media reaction to the Hutton Report
Wednesday 18 March 2009
TV guide
i looked at the sky TV guide where i found that on Saturday on the basic channels there is:
Early in the morning it is mainly children programmes and adult cooking programmes more for a female audience.
Then later in the morning and early afternoon it is mainly sport for a male audience and sometimes a film.
In then evening it tends to be family entertainment programmes such as Ant and Dec and Dancing on ice. This would appeal to a whole family viewing.
Then later in the evening it tends to be a film targeted at normally an older audience such as this week on channel 4 Brokeback mountain is on.
On a Monday there is:
In the morning it tends to be property TV shows, chat shows, and selling items such as bargain hunt and cash in the attic which would target an older audience.
Later in the afternoon it tends to be repeat dramas
Early evening it is children's programmes, quiz shows and the news.
around 7 the soaps are on till about 9.
Later there is a selection of films, documentaries and comedy programmes that would appeal to a mixed audience.
Obviously the people who schedule the programmes know their target audience, and know what times during a day where a certain audience will be watching the programmes. They would use this to their advantage such as showing children programmes before they go to school and after school before and average bedtime. I think the times of scheduling would be influence by what time the targeted audience for the programmes would be on to get more viewers. For example you wouldn't see violent film on about 4'oclock on the average terestrial channels.
Early in the morning it is mainly children programmes and adult cooking programmes more for a female audience.
Then later in the morning and early afternoon it is mainly sport for a male audience and sometimes a film.
In then evening it tends to be family entertainment programmes such as Ant and Dec and Dancing on ice. This would appeal to a whole family viewing.
Then later in the evening it tends to be a film targeted at normally an older audience such as this week on channel 4 Brokeback mountain is on.
On a Monday there is:
In the morning it tends to be property TV shows, chat shows, and selling items such as bargain hunt and cash in the attic which would target an older audience.
Later in the afternoon it tends to be repeat dramas
Early evening it is children's programmes, quiz shows and the news.
around 7 the soaps are on till about 9.
Later there is a selection of films, documentaries and comedy programmes that would appeal to a mixed audience.
Obviously the people who schedule the programmes know their target audience, and know what times during a day where a certain audience will be watching the programmes. They would use this to their advantage such as showing children programmes before they go to school and after school before and average bedtime. I think the times of scheduling would be influence by what time the targeted audience for the programmes would be on to get more viewers. For example you wouldn't see violent film on about 4'oclock on the average terestrial channels.
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