TV viewers strongly support the continuation of public service broadcasting (PSB), valuing the diversity and quality they believe it guarantees, according to new research from the Independent Television Commission (ITC). The majority of respondents in a range of consultation and research exercises carried out during last year agreed with the key principles of PSB, believing it should provide, amongst others, education, innovation, entertainment, information, original productions, inclusion of minorities and free access. It was felt that a PSB requirement was necessary to maintain the quality of broadcast programming, as respondents thought that market forces alone would not sustain it.
The belief in PSB even extended to those viewers who paid for cable, satellite or digital services, which do not have to make this provision. Three quarters of cable or satellite viewers said that they switched between terrestrial and non-terrestrial channels during an evening’s viewing, in order to enjoy a variety of programming. The terrestrial channels were described by one respondent in a citizen’s jury as “the bedrock” of his family’s viewing.
On ITV, the most important public service programmes were seen to be news and drama, with religious programming the least important. Most respondents agreed that regional programming on the BBC and ITV was the way they kept up with what was happening in their area. Although respondents often watched relatively few regional programmes, they still agreed that it was an essential service on ITV.
Sky One was the most watched non-terrestrial channel in pay-TV homes, following the terrestrial channels. The ITC’s programme of consultation, designed to determine viewers attitudes towards PSB and its future in the digital market, took the form of two public consultations, three citizen’s juries, open meetings around the nations and regions, and research into the views of opinion formers including MPs, journalists and academics.
A full copy of the report, Public Service Broadcasting: What Viewers Want, is available from the ITC Information Office or on the Commission’s website.
ITC: 020 7255 3000 www.itc.org.uk
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