Mind the funding gap. The potential of industry levies for continued funding of public service broadcasting
Article
An ippr report for BECTU and the NUJ
Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) - television content funded either directly or indirectly by the state and designed to meet specific societal and cultural objectives - is a culturally and economically valuable part of the UK's media landscape. It is popular and valued by citizens, and public service brands - such as the BBC and Channel 4 - are internationally respected.
The digital revolution has presented PSBs with huge challenges. Following digital switchover in 2012, the decline in value of spectrum gifted to PSB providers will cause a funding gap of between £145 and £235 million to emerge.
The continued popularity and desire for PSB among British citizens means that addressing the funding gap and ongoing financial pressures is a matter of great urgency and importance. This report provides analysis of the current challenges facing PSBs and the various different methods and models that have been suggested to bridge the funding gap.
Related items
Taken to heart: Inequalities in heart disease in Scotland
More than 7.6 million people across the UK live with cardiovascular disease (CVD), around twice as many as live with Alzheimer’s disease and cancer combined.Skills passports: An essential part of a fair transition
This month, government will publish its Clean Energy Workforce Strategy. This plan covers two aims. First, filling the growing demand for skills in clean energy industries is essential to keep on track to reach the government’s clean power…Fixing the leak: How to end the £22 billion annual taxpayer losses at the Bank of England
The Bank of England increased its interest rates over recent years, aimed at reducing inflation. But this has also had an unintended effect on the Bank of England’s massive government bond buying – ‘quantitative easing’ – programme.