Ofcom's report into Ch3 and Ch5 Licence renewal

Previous Archived Discussion ....

here ……..

TVFORUM.CO.UK
23-May-2012 @ 16:59

Ofcom have now prepared their report for the SoS DCMS and have offered him three choices from their research ....

1. Renew existing licences

The licensees have told Ofcom that, in broad terms, their existing public service obligations could be sustainable in the next licence period*. Ofcom’s analysis shows the Channel 3 and 5 licensees could continue to make a sufficient contribution to public service broadcasting beyond 2015.

This includes the possibility of establishing a separate, stand-alone licence for Channel 3 in Wales. We also suggest that changes to the Channel 3 service received by viewers in the south of Scotland may be appropriate to ensure the provision of Scottish news in that area.

2. Auction new licences

Re-auctioning would open up licensing to a competitive process. It may also test whether potential bidders – including the current licensees – could consider fresh approaches to public service broadcasting.

3. Extend the current licences

Extending the current licences for a shorter period could allow for a full review of public service broadcasting as part of a future Communications Bill. It could also give Parliament a chance to consider how public service content could be delivered in a world changed by the growth of digital media.

Ofcom believes that the three options are credible. The decision now rests with the Secretary of State.

Comments ...

I must admit to being surprised despite my enthusiasm for it that they consider a new franchise round feasible.

The potential redrawing of both the Wales and West and Border franchises even if renewed is interesting and surely if considered a runner, would necessitate a wholescale franchise auction. I can see the possibilty of a keen new entrant in Wales along the STV and UTV models.

The most likely option seems to be 3. when considered in the whole of UK broadcasting, with BBC Charter renewal due and the ramifiactions of News Corp/BSB still up in the air

The report in full ....

see here ……..

STAKEHOLDERS.OFCOM.ORG.UK
23-May-2012 @ 17:08

So if option three comes about, will it take up to 2016 past the next election? A re-auction should have taken place in 2003. Before the creation of the single itv.

Oh dear, the decision lies with Mr Hunt - for now at least.

I'd be surprised if anything other than the status quo remainds but it would be fascinating to see what would happen if the ITV franchises were put out to tender again. Indeed if Mr Hunt had any sense it could be the best way to get his local TV plans off the ground by linking local TV to the ITV regions, perhaps having the most basic of news requirements on what is now "ITV1" but an expanded local or regional second channel offering must more local content.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/may/23/itv-cutting-local-news

The Guardian report that at part of their submission ITV want to cut local news at lunchtime, late night and weekends by half, and fill 10 minutes of the 6pm shows with pan-regional content. However they try to counter this by saying they'll increase the number of regions back to 17 - as they were pre-2009.

Now surely in the case of these franchises OFCOM should have minimum PSB requirements, especially for local news on ITV, and then if the existing franchise holder will commit to fulfilling them it's fair enough if they just get their licence renewed - but if they won't commit the franchise should go up for auction IMO.

I kind of think TV needs such an auction now too. Yes, it's never been easier for anyone who is nobody to launch a TV channel - but most are reliant on cheap imports or repeats and have a reach a couple of hundred thousand viewers at most. Switching the focus back on the big five could just give British TV the kick up the backside it needs now DSO it almost complete and putting either ITV franchises or the C5 licence on the auction block could just do that - although of course it could have the opposite effect to as of course for many it all went downhill after Carlton outbid Thames.


P.S. I see no mention of the Breakfast franchise being scrapped and ITV becoming a 24 hour licence. After the woes of the last couple of years I wonder if ITV would now be quite happy for 6-9.25am to be somebody elses problem.

What happens if to STV and UTV? there both happy provide some opt outs and providing a proper news services for there area? I cant see either being happy with there lunchtimes slot being killed off.

Could it be that only the English licences go back out to tender?

Only 20 minutes during the half-hour programmes would be devoted to regional news, with the remaining 10 minutes used to deliver an aggregate of news events of interest to viewers across several regions.

ITV is also proposing to cut regional lunchtime news bulletins from six minutes to three minutes, late evening bulletins from nine minutes to five minutes and weekend bulletins from 10 minutes to five minutes.

In Ofcom's report published on Wednesday, ITV is also proposing increasing the number of regional news programmes it broadcasts in England, Wales, the Scottish Borders and Channel Islands from nine back to the 17 it offered before 2009.

An ITV spokesman said in a similar vein to the news programme the time cut back on local bulletins would be filled with more of a pan-regional news update.

"ITV makes a major contribution to news plurality in the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer," said the ITV spokesman. "In making the case for licence renewal or long-term extension, ITV has committed, in the area of news, to continue to broadcast a high quality, accurate and impartial national/international news service as we do at present – and to deliver high quality regions and nations services in England, Wales, the Scottish Borders and the Channel Islands on an economically sustainable basis."

Ofcom's report said the plan has "the potential to deliver more localised and news-driven content, potentially addressing viewer needs within the scope of existing costs". Ofcom will make the ultimate decision on any changes of ITV's regional news service, after Hunt decides whether or not to auction or renew the broadcasting licences.

Well let's be honest, we all expected cuts from ITV here. However I'm surprised by ITV's stance here...I think it's quite positive towards the Regional News service...certainly makes a change from previous management teams. I believe that the change to 17 Regions (with shorter programming) is what should have happened in 2009. I'm also surprised the Lunchtime bulletin wasn't scrapped to be honest!

However I've got to say I think ITV should just start their Weekday National News at 18:20, as it clearly would give the channel an advantage over the BBC. In exchange for this change to ITV's proposal, (as I've mentioned previously) I feel ITV should provide a 30 minute weekly Regional Politics/Current Affairs/Regional Interests programme.

My verdict on this proposal though is it's almost there...

What happens if to STV and UTV? there both happy provide some opt outs and providing a proper news services for there area? I cant see either being happy with there lunchtimes slot being killed off.

Could it be that only the English licences go back out to tender?[/quote]

Maybe STV and UTV could provide a longer News bulletin after News At Ten, while generally keeping in with ITV's proposals? Could STV/UTV afford to provide News programmes for smaller regions themselves? Hmm...

STV already produce Scotland tonight at 10,30, its like Newsnight but better with local news from 3 areas in it!
STV will not be happy about the lunchtimes cut, NOR making the evening news 40mins long from London. I could see STV opt out to fit in the news...

Well rather than a 6.20pm start I think they could just do what they've done for breaking stories in the past - have the ITV News at 6pm with the top story, then regional news at 6.05pm before returning to the national news at 6.30pm. They can shave a bit more of the regional running time by either moving the national weather to before the 6.30pm news or taking a break.

I also don't get how ITV would save money by cutting the length of the late bulletins in half considering most of the time they can just rerun reports from the 6pm news.


What is ITV's regional commitment (in England) outside of the news now as I'm sure only the poltical programmes air, and they are far from every week. IIRC they meet the rest of their non-news regional quota by having non-news features in the regional news!

I can't see any reason why the other nations would be excluded, it's not some sort of anti-ITV PLC witch hunt.

Instead of the last ten minutes of an evening regional bulletin being shared amongst several regions, this could be utilised a lot more better if they're only with neighbouring regions.

One of the major gripes with the London region is the inside the M25/GLA area news agenda of the majority of the bulletin despite covering the home counties. The 10 minutes could be used to pool the best of fringe regional stories from Meridian (who cover Crawley better than LT) and Anglia (Harlow/Chelmsford/Stevenage).

I'm aware that London Tonight occasionally use Meridian and Anglia copy already, but this would benefit fringe area viewers more if there was a regular slot for neighbouring regional reports.

Oops forgot that! Think the 10 minutes in England will be one region's sub-regions coming together (i.e Central) which would be a decent plan and match the Home Nation's programming schedule. Would still like ITV to have a Peak time weekly Non-News Regional programme for Politics/Current Affairs with some Interviews (1st half) and Lighter Stories (2nd half). Maybe cut some of the lighter stuff from the News and have the sub-regions for 15 minutes with the rest as whole regions?