A Future for Public Service Media

With continuing wide interest in the purpose and funding of public service media, including the BBC, Robin  Foster has set out some of the choices facing PSMs in an article for InterMedia, the journal of the International Institute of Communications.

 
Robin suggests PSMs should consider hybrid funding, more investment in on-demand content, fewer linear networks, and a twin-track focus on news and popular local content.  Whatever strategies are chosen, he argues, PSMs face tough times ahead, especially in smaller markets.

Changing news consumption and implications for plurality

In this report prepared for News International and submitted to the Leveson Inquiry, Robert Kenny reviews changes in the 'chain of influence' between news proprietors and citizens, and the implications for plurality legislation.

Commercial Broadcasters' Association (COBA) TV hub report

Robin Foster and Tom Broughton have compiled a report for the Commercial Broadcasters Association (COBA) which examines the UK's future as a global TV hub, and the role that multichannel broadcasters can play in securing further growth in the UK TV sector.

The report highlights the contribution made by major multichannel companies such as Discovery, Disney, Viacom and Sky in helping the UK TV sector consolidate its scale and competitiveness, leveraging their  international funding and other resources, and using the UK as a commissioning centre for their global channel networks.

Download the full report and press release below.

Building a global TV hub: full report
Press release

News Plurality in a Digital World

In this report published by the Reuters Institute of Journalism, Robin Foster considers the potential impact of online gatekeepers on online news plurality

Sustainable journalism - a submission to the Cairncross Review

The Cairncross Review is examining the sustainability of high quality journalism, including an investigation of the impact of digital platforms.

Rob Kenny and Robin Foster, in their submission to the Review, argue that the challenges facing newspapers have been developing over decades, and largely pre-date the advent of the platforms. In particular, newspapers' offers to both advertisers and readers have been unbundled, with multiple fierce competitors for each element of the former bundles.

Newspapers have been investing and experimenting with a range of business models in response, and there are early signs of success, at least for certain types of outlet. However, a significant shake-out seems likely for those offering more commoditised news.

A clear public interest in journalism remains, and Rob and Robin offer some suggestions as to how this might be supported.