Role and function of the BBC

Role and function of the BBC

• The BBC is a public service broadcaster
• BBC Trust exists to work in the interest of the license fee payer
• Their role is to ‘Serve the Public’
• Their remit is to: inform, educate and entertain.
  BBC charter and products

BBC charter and products

*The charter is the constitutional basis for the BBC
* the BBC produces a wide range of products to meet the needs of all areas of society in line with its remit.
* this outlines the duties of the trust and ensures that it acts within the public interest




*products include:
TV
Radio
Film
Websites
Publishing
Merchandising

 Private broadcaster

• Private sector broadcasters are not constrained by the same guideless as the BBC
• Do not have a ‘public service’ role and function
• Are profit making organisations – but may still have a public responsibility built into their licenses (e.g. ITV, C4 etc.)
• Are regulated by OFCOM

How they make money

*private broadcasters make money in number of ways


*private broadcasters must make healthy profits in order to continue broadcasting as they do not receive revenue from the tax payer like the BBC does.


*advertising revenue
*sponsorship
*reality TV e.g.: viewers calls
*sale of programs/ products
*merchandising




Regulation

• In Britain broadcasting is regulated by an independent author called OFCOM, following extract explains what they regulate
• Ofcom is the communications regulator. we regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles, postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate 'www.ofcom.org.co

What does Ofcom do


* ensures the uk has wide range of electronic communications services, including high-speed services such broadband and wide range of high quality television and radio programs.
* sees that these appeal to a range of tastes and interests
*ensures TV and radio services are provided by a range of different organisations.
* helps to protect people from harmful or offensive material
* people are protected fro9m being treated unfairly in TV and radio programs and from  having their privacy invaded