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She said, "Broadcasting in this country is going through a
revolution. The rapid growth of broadband and new media providing
audiences with new ways to access content. The expansion of digital
radio on DAB and other platforms. And, of course, the continued
success of digital TV. The digital television revolution is one
that 6 out of 10 of us have already bought into.
"But digital switchover and wider technological change are
only part of the story. They need to be understood in the context
of our distinctly British broadcasting market. A market that is,
in many ways defined by our public service broadcasting tradition—the
BBC of course, but also ITV and Channels 4 and 5, S4C and Teletext..
The BBC will remain at the heart of PSB. But the future of PSB is
not just about the BBC. As a nation our commitment to competition
in broadcasting can and does sit comfortably with a commitment to
public service. So we need strong public service broadcasters—4,5,
ITV as well as powerful, innovating companies like Sky, dynamic
independents, and bustling new entrants like Top-Up TV. These are
the principles that underpinned the Communications Act and the BBC
Green Paper alike. Our approach is consistent because the values
that underpin our policies are constant. And our ambition is bold."
Jowell went on to state that as the pubcaster cannot guess the
future, and also wants to maximise consumer choice it is not wedded
to any single platform or technology. "We want a broadcast
environment in which a thousand technological flowers can bloom.
History is littered with examples of those who thought they could
second guess technology or consumers desires." She gave the
example of the Beta Max in the 1980's. This she said is just one
case where apparently superior technology was undone by a combination
of consumer unfriendliness, cost and poor marketing. VHS emerged
as the winner in that format war.
"So we are not telling people which technology to adopt. What
we are saying is that choice, universality and quality remain the
cornerstone of our approach, and that we need to make sure that
the benefits of a changing broadcast environment are available to
as many people as possible."
Although modes of delivery may change, the case for public service
broadcasting will remain as strong as ever in the future. Moving
forward she says the BBC will remain the bedrock—at the heart
of public service broadcasting. In pure competition terms, the BBC
is an intervention in the market, and one of very large scale. "But
it is an intervention that, time and time again, in survey after
survey, the public tell us they want. They want it strong and independent,
with the flexibility to adapt to an uncertain future—but not
unfettered, and not at any cost. So the Green paper published earlier
this year set out a vision for a new BBC, whose mission—and
boundaries and relationship with its pay masters—the license
fee payers—are defined more clearly than ever before. We set
out some firm decisions: the BBC will have a 10-year Charter, and
will continue to be funded by the licence fee. And we will replace
its current governance structure with the Trust and Executive Board
. But there were many other issues on which we sought views."
Jowell went on to state that in framing proposals on production
the focus is firmly on what is best for the viewer. The aim is to
find a system that gets the best programmes on the screen, whatever
the source. The licence fee iventure capital for the nation's creativity
she says.
The BBC has had great success both from in-house production (Dr
Who, The Office) and independent commissions (Spooks,
Casanova, Catherine Tate). It is important to get
the balance right for the future: we are not yet at the end of the
debate, and Ofcom are doing their own review of the TV production
sector.
The BBC should be creative and entertaining. But it must also be
highly sensitive to its potential impact on the wider market—another
issue which has featured prominently in the consultation responses.
"I am clear that the new structure must incorporate robust
mechanisms for ensuring this. Proposed new activities must be subject
to rigorous market impact assessment. The Fair Trading arrangements
need to be reformed and new, more transparent complaints procedures
established.
"But in championing public service broadcasting the BBC is
not the only game in town. We must be equally robust to ensure that
the corporation's activities do not prevent other broadcasters from
bringing high quality PSB or other programming to market.
"Channel 4 has consistently shown its ability to innovate,
to take risks, and to provide competition for the BBC in quality
PSB programming. Its innovative cricket coverage, Jamie's School
Dinners; The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off; Green Wing;
and Grand Designs to name but a few. I want that kind
of programme-making to continue, irrespective of the technology
that broadcasts it. I want Channel 4 to have a secure future, because
I believe it is an important part of securing a healthy future for
PSB in the UK.
"Channel 4 is doing fantastically well at the moment but,
like all public service broadcasters, it will need to adapt to the
challenges of an all-digital world. I do not believe that this warrants
any direct intervention by Government at this point in time, after
all the Channel 4 schedule is in good shape, but it does mean we
need to keep our options open and retain the regulatory levers to
enable us to react appropriately according to future circumstances."
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