The region has a real opportunity to contribute to the reshaping of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) over the next few years. PSB has been seen as something that traditional broadcasters deliver through mainstream media. Yet increasingly the role that the internet can play in meeting PSB aims has been highlighted with Channel 4 committing funds to its 4iP initiative to help reposition itself as a key contributor to both the transformation of PSB and of public services.
“what is mainly being commissioned is not content in any conventional sense but tools and content that enable the public to do things online which at present they are not able to do. 4IP isn’t a digital production studio so much as a digital machine tool factory – helping equip Britain with tools for 21st century living.” (Andy Duncan, Chief Exec, Channel 4 in speech to Nesta)
In the West Midlands we have a ring-fenced budget of £10 million for 4iP projects which represents a real opportunity for SMEs to meet the PSB agenda, grow their companies and innovate around emerging digital technologies.
Ofcom’s PSB review and the recent Digital Britain reported both discuss the importance of quality content, PSB and the role of online services. When one looks at this in combination with local and national government’s attempt to transform public services it is clear that the scale of opportunities available to digital SMEs is significant but that effective public/private partnerships are necessary to ensure the opportunities are not lost.
Posted by daveharte on March 31, 2009
Tags: The role of Public Service Broadcasting
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