This follows Luke�s earlier post concerning Ofcom�s publication of its Phase 2 report in its consideration of the future of public service broadcasting.

Luke promised to summarise the remainder of Ofcom�s Phase 2 PSB Review report, so I thought I would focus just on one particular aspect: Ofcom�s proposal to create a new entity (the �minnow� � the Public Service Publisher, or �PSP�) to compete in the digital television/broadband world of 2012. Here�s a rambling walk through my mindset as I read the relevant portions of the report:

* Ofcom say it is not a good outcome if the BBC were to gain a near monopoly on public service broadcasting in the digital era. I suppose I agree, but the danger of this happening seems remote. If Ofcom maintains its current thinking on what constitutes PSB (see sections 2.12 and 2.13 for the very open-ended definitions), then there is no reason to think that removing PSB obligations on certain existing terrestrial providers (ITV and Five) will cause some sort of BBC monopoly. I�ve yet to see any Ofcom analysis that is very convincing on this point. Consider: There is plenty of PSB programming supplied to digital viewers in the U.S. (certainly also provided by a wide range of entities), but no PSB obligations of any real substance. The problem Ofcom is remedying seems predicted not actual, and perhaps it is being predicted in error.

* Anyway, let�s assume this danger of monopoly exists: The BBC is in danger of becoming a near-monopoly PSB. Ofcom�s proposed remedy is to create a Public Service Publisher or PSP � the aforementioned minnow. The PSP�s remit would be to (i) commission and distribute PSB content as widely as possible (ii) using �a variety of technologies�, including broadband (iii) all in a non-traditional, futuristic-type of setting that is really cool.

* Ofcom proposes to endow the PSP with �300 million of the public�s money (at the 2012 DTV switchover). Thus, here is the �300 million question: Who gets to run/own/control this PSP? Ofcom say that it will conduct what is essentially a PSB-PSP beauty pageant (except for the BBC). Hmmm�. This might be my chance to see my idea for a 24-hour reality-TV channel (airing only webcams inserted inside Vegas tattoo parlours and wedding chapels) come to fruition. All I need is a backer.

* On a more serious note, I�m pleased that Ofcom is consulting the public on this approach because it seems that Ofcom is headed down the wrong path. It�s as if Ofcom is saying that it knows precisely what the television/broadband environment will look like in 2012, and that it knows precisely the type of entity (not to mention its size and remit and location ~ London apparently being out of the question) that will plug the gaps. I�m not so sure that Ofcom has this level of knowledge about today�s television environment, much less the one that will exist eight years from today. An approach that more fully recognizes the strong possibility of an error in predictive judgment might serve the regulator here.

* Am I wrong? Send comments to: blog@ofcomwatch.co.uk.