Skip to content
Clusters — Talent — Policy — Industries — Creative — Heritage — Economy — Data

Inquiry Unveiled: Examining the Significance and Importance of Public Broadcasting for the Public Good

Analysis reveals substantial worth of state-funded broadcasting in the ongoing discourse about the UK's broadcasting system.

,   and  Administrator
4 min read
Groundbreaking study bolsters ongoing discussions on the significance of UK's publicly-funded...
Groundbreaking study bolsters ongoing discussions on the significance of UK's publicly-funded broadcasting sector.

Inquiry Unveiled: Examining the Significance and Importance of Public Broadcasting for the Public Good

Crystallizing the Discussion on the Future of UK Broadcasting

2022-01-13 - A timely publication from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre adds fuel to the fire of debates surrounding the future of UK broadcasting, as the BBC prepares for its mid-term Charter Review and the government contemplates changes to Channel 4's public ownership status.

Professor Stuart Allan and Dr Tom Chivers from Cardiff University introduce a novel approach to measuring 'public value,' calling for consideration of social, cultural, economic, industrial, representational, and civic value beyond the traditional monetary perspective. This publication is a must-read for policymakers, regulators, broadcasters, and audiences alike.

Professor Allan notes:

"The essence of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) has long been a bone of contention, intertwining the disparate agendas of policymakers, stakeholders, and the public. The rapidly changing media landscape, driven by technology advances, altered audience habits, and the rise of media titans like Amazon, Google, Apple, and Netflix, have only made reaching a consensus on PSB's value more challenging. In this paper, we're proposing an extensive typology of values, encompassing the diverse objectives and obligations that the UK's PSBs seek to fulfill. We hope our proposal sets the stage for a broader discussion and deliberation over the future direction of PSB policymaking in an ever-changing digital media landscape."

Understanding the risks and opportunities for PSB in the evolving global media landscape has become critical in ensuring a lasting and sustainable future for it. Given the diverging interpretations of the concept of 'value,' a reevaluation of regulations, structures, and criteria is a necessity, according to the report.

The research centers on the BBC as a case study, tracing its own definition of public value since 2004. Some contend that 'public value' should be primarily gauged as an economic measure, while this paper suggests that other PSB priorities, such as fostering cultural excellence, driving civic engagement, and building a sense of national community, merit greater recognition.

**Press contacts:**

About the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC)The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) is dedicated to spurring the growth of the UK's creative industries through the generation of independent, authoritative evidence, and policy advice. Led by Nesta and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council as part of the UK Government's Industrial Strategy, the Centre is comprised of a consortium of universities from across the UK (Birmingham; Cardiff; Edinburgh; Glasgow; Warwick; LSE; Manchester; Newcastle; Sussex; Ulster). The PEC collaborates with a diverse range of industry partners including the Creative Industries Federation. To learn more, visit our website and @CreativePEC.

Image of BBC Studios in Belfast, Northern Ireland by K. Mitch Hodge

International talent spurs growth in the UK's creative industries, reveals new report

Embargoed 9am (UK time) Tuesday 10 June 2025 As the dust settles on the UK government's Immigration ...

Widening inequality in arts and culture exposed by new research

Embargoed 00.01 Wednesday 7 May 2025 A new report from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence C...

Government-backed survey to offer unprecedented insight into creative industries growth drivers

Further evidence of the increasing focus the Government is placing on the creative industries can be s...

Creative industries' skills gap threatens UK Government's growth ambitions

Embargoed 00.01 GMT Wednesday 12 February 2025 The rapid expansion of the UK's creative industries h...

Invest at scale in place-based approaches to unlock potential of 'Foreign Direct Investment' in UK's creative industries, says new research

Embargoed 00.01 Wednesday 20 November 2024 GMT With the UK Government's forthcoming industrial strat...

Financial backing could fuel creative industries' contribution to Government's growth mission and reduce regional inequality

A new report published today by the AHRC-funded Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Crea...

Access to Finance: launch of new research project

New research is being undertaken by Creative UK in partnership with the Creative Industries Policy a...

Decline in creative further education participation signals looming skills shortage across the UK

New report shows 'severe' decline in creative further education participation Embargoed 17 July 00.0...

Comprehensive overview of UK arts, culture, and heritage audiences and workforce

Embargoed 00.01 Wednesday 15 May 2024 (BST) For the first time, census data has been used to provid...

UK's creative industries an export success story

New report shows creative strength despite Brexit and Covid Embargoed 00.01 Wednesday 20 March 2024,...

Introducing the Creative PEC's Research Fellows Network

By Professor Hasan Bakhshi, Director Creative PEC and Professor Giorgio Fazio, Director of Research ...

'One Creative North' plans finalized at summit ahead of Convention of the North

30 organizations meet to set out a bold new vision for the north of England's creative industries To ...

Author

  • Creative PECWe provide independent research and policy recommendations for the UK's creative industries.

View all posts

  1. The research, conducted by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC), emphasizes the importance of international talent in driving growth within the UK's creative industries.
  2. As the debate on the future of UK broadcasting continues, Professor Stuart Allan proposes an extensive typology of values to guide PSB policymaking in the digital media landscape.
  3. The proposed typology encompasses various objectives and obligations aimed at driving cultural excellence, civic engagement, and building national community beyond the traditional economic perspective.
  4. The PEC's research centers on the BBC as a case study, highlighting the need for a broader evaluation of public value beyond economic measures.
  5. With the evolving global media landscape, understanding and addressing the risks and opportunities for Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) is crucial for their lasting and sustainable future.
  6. The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) serves to foster the growth of the UK's creative industries by generating independent, authoritative evidence and policy advice.
  7. The Centre collaborates with a diverse range of industry partners, including the Creative Industries Federation, following funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council as part of the UK Government's Industrial Strategy.
  8. Policymakers, regulators, broadcasters, and audiences are encouraged to read the report, as it sets the stage for a broader discussion on the future direction of PSB policymaking.
  9. The PEC's publications contribute to general news and discussions surrounding the creative industries, arts, culture, heritage, education, talent development, policy, and legislation.
  10. The 2022 report on the future of UK broadcasting is a timely addition to the ongoing discourse, as the government toys with changes to Channel 4's public ownership status and the BBC prepares for its mid-term Charter Review.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest