Today on The Independent, Gavyn Davies discusses the �rights and wrongs� of consensus over the BBC�s Charter renewal. He agrees with the �strong belief, typified in recent Ofcom reports, that the future role of commercial broadcasters in providing public service broadcasting (PSB) in the UK will be a shrinking one� and therefore �the responsibility placed on the BBC will be greater than before�. Where he strongly disagrees with current consensus is in that digital technology and broadband will gradually undermine the case for a publicly funded BBC. He bases his arguments on the �public good� nature of BBC programming which, in a digital world, will remain �non-rivalrous� in consumption (yet possibly excludable). He argues that the licence fee system is superior. I am not sure of this.

He also alerts that a move towards a less commercial mix of programming and greater emphasis on �excellence� could endanger the security of the BBC�s future, which does rely on viewership numbers. Davies, considers that �[t]ypically, policymakers tell the BBC to worry about audience “reach”, not share [�] This is all well and good, but a healthy BBC can never forget that it is the public that pays its bills, not the politicians�. He warns about shifting the focus too far away from market share, as this could threaten the licence fee.

Davies comments are perhaps a reaction to the latest figures showing how, since last January, BBC audience share has fallen down considerably.BBC1 has suffered a reduction of 3.5 per cent of viewers, and is now at a historical minimum of 25 per cent, while BBC2 viewers have been reduced by 10 per cent, leaving the channel with a bare 10 per cent of audience share.

Monica Arino