Proposals for new public service channels

If, as mentioned in the Survival of ITV Digital post, we were to convert the Digital terrestrial system to a mainly Free-to-Air regime there would be room, not only for many existing pay-TV channels to go FTA (not as loony as it sounds, many are on the brink as it is), but the ITC/Offcom - whoever ends up in charge - could set up some new public service networks. here is my proposal. The names are not final and would be changed - by force if necessary!

Channel 6 would be intended as a 'second ITV' - A channel to compete with BBC 1, ITV1 and (theoretically) Channel 5. It would show news, entertainment, factual programming and all the other types which the ITC insists upon. It would provide a national feed for all programmes. Channel 6 would not be expected to do anything particularly cultural, high-brow or directly aimed at minorities, but would be required to broadcast wide-ranging, broad-based but high quality entertainment. There would be a contractual minimum amount the channel should spend on programming and a strict limit on the amount of repeats and imported programmes.

Channel 7 would be for TV enthusiasts, intellectual programmes, community issues etc and would be regionalised. Daytime programming would consist of public access, local news, community issues, local government coverage and chat/discussion programmes, certain of which would be allowed to be fully or partially networked.
After 6pm the output would be networked
programmes cover original output such as drama, documentaries, arts and science. The emphasis whould be on content not budget, so many of the programmes might be made by amateur filmmakers and first time projects. The channel would also feature specially commissioned films, and showcase new talent. There would also be imported foreign language programmes. Especially from Asia, Africa and the EU

Existing major companies could and would be encouraged to take a stake in and produce material for the new channels, but would not be allowed to hold majority control or use the new channels as extra services for their own networks.

(Edited by thegreenfairy at 12:29 am on Dec. 30, 2001)

I think 7 would be an excellent idea. It's something that we don't have much of in this country. It would need to be subsidised however, and hence would probably be best if it were part-run by the BBC with advertising, like the UKTV channels. (edit: I re-read your post and saw the joint-input thing, which yes, would be a good idea. There should also be strict guidelines on ownership as this would be a strictly-public service broadcaster).

I think though that you're marginalising the regional aspect a bit too much though. Maybe if 6-9pm was networked, then say 9-11 was regional, with daytime programming restricted due to the lower audiences.

I think it could work very well in principle though

(Edited by jason at 12:54 am on Dec. 30, 2001)

Yes I suppose the 9-11 thing could work. My only worry woul be that I wouldn't want to marginalise the film/drama side of things, which would be most likely networked and late evening - though after 11 would be ok, or maybe not be so strict on the times and allow it to be flexible from one day to another

Yes I suppose the 9-11 thing could work. My only worry woul be that I wouldn't want to marginalise the film/drama side of things, which would be most likely networked and late evening - though after 11 would be ok, or maybe not be so strict on the times and allow it to be flexible from one day to another

Of course you could incorporate the two together, and have a heavily regionalised schedule in which each region would decide when to show stuff. Bit like 70's/80's ITV in fact, but much more high-brow

Plus, you could have a channel for film/television students to show off what they've done. It would cost next to nothing, and be excellent for experimental TV.

Yes, the student film stuff was one of the main things I was thinking about when I said amateur films

Hmmm, I should learn to read, really.

I don't think 6 is needed, it sounds like it could all too easily become another Channel 5. 7 sounds like an excelent idea. I'd like to see the channel fully in control of the local region though - no stipulations on what can and cannot be networked, but a choice made independently on how much networked programming (or whether any should be shown at all) made by the contractor. The contractor's license should need to be renewed yearly, with a public poll run as the main basis for making the decision.

I'd basically like this channel to be like 50's ITV - completely independent of every other channel 7 station.

There should however be strict rules on how much of each programme type is produced, and procedures put in place to prevent the consolidated ownership which was the downfall of The ITV Network.

In my opinion we do not need a Channal 6 or 7, certainly not the proposed 6 anyway, Sky One, ITV1 & BBC ONE are all very similar anyway, I suppose 7 wouldn't be a bad idea but I like things the way they are:)

Anyone who's happy with the current state of British television needs to have their head examined! http://web.ukonline.co.uk/tv.home/forum/emoticons/cheesy.gif

I read the heading and proposals and thought: 'Wow, great ideas for British television. This might just save us from the rut we're in now'

Then I read the sub-heading Still, I firmly believe that in 10-15 years time someone will come up with the brilliant idea of creating a network of regional channels, to give locals some TV of their own and to stop one company contolling the entire operation there'd be ownership/merger regulations.

I have a sense of Deja vous http://web.ukonline.co.uk/tv.home/forum/emoticons/shocked.gif