rss
1

Governors launch BBC public value test

The BBC Governors today released a consultation paper on Service Licences and a “public value test”.

The Government’s Green Paper on the BBC Charter stated that “Every BBC service would be held to a detailed service licence against which performance could be measured”. The Governors envisage that the Service Licences would set out the budget, remit and performance targets for each service. The consultation paper explains the Governors’ current thinking on how the Service Licences would work in practice.

Service Licences are about providing more information on the purpose and scope of BBC services. The public value test is about determining what services the BBC provides.

The first thing to recognise about the public value test is that it is not a test in any real sense of that word. This is a good: a pretence that decisions on what the BBC does can be reduced to an objective assessment would be counter-productive.

And it will not come as a surprise to find out that the Governors favour an “evidence-based” assessment of significant investment proposals. But they have rejected possible approaches that would draw primarily on quantitative methods to determine what should be done, such as attempts to carry out NPV calculations. They recognise the need for judgement and describe the public value test as a “structured, evidence-based, decision-making tool” to aid the Governors (or to aid the BBC Trust, if the proposals in the Green Paper to change the BBC governance arrangements are taken forward).

The consultation paper says that the public value test would comprise two parts: a public value assessment and a market impact assessment. The paper provides information on the contents of the public value assessment. This would include: an identification of how the service fits with the BBC purposes; whether it offers sufficient quality and distinctiveness; what its consumer impact would be; what its citizen impact would be; what the reach of the service would be; and whether it represents good value for money. An example of how this assessment might be carried out is provided an appendix to the consultation paper, a “robustness assessment” by Spectrum Strategy Consultants, which contains an illustrative example for the case of CBBC.

The consultation paper says little about market impact assessment. The paper states that the main indicators of the assessment would be “the wider economic value which would be created by the service” and “any potential crowding-out of other players in the market”. But this does not seem to represent much progress from the suggestions in the BBC’s Building Public Value paper from June 2004 which implied that the question of market impact can be addressed by a “net calculation” of the positive and negative impacts a BBC service might have on the revenues of certain other market participants. As far as I can tell, it would be wrong to reduce the market impact side of the public value test to �million numbers.

In any event, the Governors state that the methodology for market impact analysis will be developed in agreement with Ofcom. Ofcom will almost certainly want to find a way to take account of possible adverse impacts on competition. Work started on this in Ofcom’s report on the market impact of the BBC digital-only and radio and TV channels, as part of the Government’s independent reviews of those services.

The consultation paper discusses some procedural aspects of the market impact assessment. The Governors want market impact assessment to be undertaken by a third party. This would be commissioned jointly by the BBC Trust and Ofcom in the case of new service proposals, and by the BBC Trust alone for assessment of existing services. This position differs from the proposals in the Green Paper, in which the Government envisaged Ofcom carrying out the market impact assessment in the case of new services. It also differs from Ofcom’s response to the Green Paper, in which Ofcom sought to undertake market impact assessment both for new services and where it felt it necessary to examine changes to existing services.

But this debate about who does what and when seems rather a distraction when there is still uncertainty about what exactly is the purpose of the market impact assessment.

About the Author

Comments (1)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. [...] Der “Public Value Test” wird von der Ofcom vorgenommen und untersucht, ob der BBC einen wichtigen öffentlichen Dienst mit seinem geplanten Angebot anbieten wird und welche Implikationen dieser Dienst für den Medienmarkt hat. Ein solcher Test, in dem die Öffentlich-rechtlichen den Beweis eines öffentlichen Nutzen darlegen müssten, wäre ein Anfang, um diese Kontroverse zu entschärfen. Zusammen mit einer Neugestaltung der veralteten Rundfunkrechts jedoch und der Neugewichtung des öffentlichen Auftrages – man muss natürlich auch bemerken, dass immer mehr Menschen Online nach Nachrichten suchen und ein hauptsächlich kommerzielles Angebot eine digitale gespaltene Informationsgesellschaft schaffen wird, in der die, die Geld haben, gute Nachrichten bekommen können – werden die öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten sicherlich keine Probleme haben, diese Vorwürfe zu entkräften. Und ich hätte auch nichts dagegen, wenn bald mehr für ein zeitnahes digitales Angebot ausgegeben wird und weniger für das Musikantenstadl. [...]

Leave a Reply




If you want a picture to show with your comment, go get a Gravatar.

traditional christmas cards christmas gifts for new moms luxury christmas gifts unusual corporate christmas gifts handmade christmas gifts obama christmas cards humane society christmas cards christmas gift wrapping ideas jay strongwater christmas ornaments engraved christmas ornaments vera wang christmas cards teacher christmas gift ideas pickle christmas ornament hand stamped christmas cards star trek christmas ornaments 3d christmas ornaments top christmas gifts 2009 christmas gifts under $50 online christmas cards infant christmas gifts easy homemade christmas ornaments christmas greeting card template christmas cards photo cards edible christmas gift ideas christmas party gifts egyptian christmas ornaments 1st christmas ornaments funny dog christmas cards primitive christmas tree ornaments carlton cards christmas ornaments rude christmas cards christmas ornament fundraiser origami christmas cards irish charity christmas cards christmas gifts under $25.00 pretty christmas cards electronic charity christmas cards christmas card decorations christmas ornaments online environmentally friendly christmas gifts 1st christmas gifts staff christmas gifts cute christmas gifts for boyfriend cute christmas card ideas personalized family christmas cards occupation christmas ornaments christmas ornament catalogs polish christmas cards recycled christmas card crafts photo christmas cards scandinavian christmas cards christmas ornament frames christmas gifts for students mini christmas cards christmas gifts for my husband novelty christmas cards digital photo christmas cards useful christmas gifts greyhound christmas cards a colbert christmas the greatest gift of all expecting christmas ornament 2009 christmas gift ideas school christmas cards adult christmas ornaments chinese christmas gifts good christmas gifts for your boyfriend santa christmas cards disney christmas cards christmas card generator find christmas gifts vintage christmas cards christmas cards kids can make digital christmas cards creative christmas gift ideas construction christmas cards sewing christmas ornaments spca christmas cards unicorn christmas ornament godmother christmas gifts tearfund christmas cards merck old world christmas ornaments christmas gifts for men western christmas cards baldwin christmas ornaments primitive christmas ornaments fair trade christmas cards christmas gift ideas for my wife hottest christmas gifts inexpensive christmas gifts christmas ornaments to color christmas gifts for seniors unusual christmas gift ideas personalized family christmas ornaments nyc christmas ornaments pig christmas cards christmas gift ideas 2009 christmas gift ideas uk christmas gifts by post vertical photo christmas cards elmo christmas ornament glitter christmas cards cowboy christmas cards rugby christmas gift unusual christmas gifts christmas gifts for my boyfriend goth christmas cards female christmas gift ideas sugar plum fairy christmas ornament christmas ornaments kids can make boston christmas cards boston christmas ornaments remembrance christmas ornaments internet christmas cards railroad christmas cards christmas party gift exchange christmas food gift hamper christmas gifts for 2 year olds christmas gifts ireland christmas cookie gifts design your own christmas cards must have christmas gifts disney printable christmas cards personalized christmas ornaments mary christmas cards cool christmas ornaments bird christmas cards hunting christmas ornaments vintage style christmas cards computer christmas ornaments old christmas ornaments top 10 christmas gifts for kids polish christmas gifts best christmas gifts inexpensive christmas gifts to make christmas gift vouchers lsu christmas cards high school musical christmas ornament seashell christmas ornaments hot christmas gifts 2009 donkey christmas cards hot gift ideas for christmas 2009 cool christmas gifts for teens nutcracker christmas cards turning christmas ornaments office christmas gift ideas christmas card ideas for children cool christmas card ideas ukrainian christmas ornaments best christmas gifts for men new home christmas ornament paper magic christmas cards christmas card holder craft a christmas story ornaments ling christmas cards bulk christmas gifts international christmas gifts specialty business christmas cards scrapbook christmas cards australian christmas gifts scrapbooking christmas card templates simple homemade christmas gifts make a christmas card holder baby's first christmas gift ideas christmas gift baskets canada motorcycle christmas ornaments christmas gifts from the kitchen baby christmas gift ideas christmas gifts for mum equine christmas cards quilted christmas ornaments novelty christmas gifts christmas tree top ornaments collectible christmas ornaments the christmas card movie practical christmas gifts keepsake christmas ornaments whippet christmas cards create christmas photo cards christmas table place cards christmas ornament organizer hard to find christmas gifts christmas gifts for your man christmas ornament images stupid christmas gifts wire christmas ornaments antique christmas glass ornament tree modern christmas photo cards personalised christmas cards business christmas gift gift idea swedish christmas gifts christmas gift ideas for him make printable christmas cards paperchase christmas cards wooden christmas gifts christmas gifts for neighbors inexpensive personalized christmas cards christmas gifts for tweens christmas gift certificates simple christmas cards christmas gift paper ribbon christmas ornaments christmas gifts for 14 year old boys christmas gifts for 3 year olds shiny brite christmas ornaments sample christmas cards hot christmas gifts 2009 christmas table gifts unusual christmas ornaments lennox christmas ornaments monogrammed christmas gifts brown christmas ornaments elegant christmas cards bulk christmas ornaments horse racing christmas cards snowbabies christmas ornaments beautiful christmas cards printed photo christmas cards christmas card activities puppy christmas cards western christmas ornaments racing christmas cards christmas gift ideas for teens nasty christmas cards basset hound christmas cards law enforcement christmas cards wood christmas ornaments special charity christmas cards advertising last minute christmas gift hot air balloon christmas ornament christmas cracker gifts classic car christmas cards christian aid christmas cards cheap christmas gift baskets cat christmas ornaments fireman christmas cards polish christmas ornaments christmas gifts for young men christmas gift clip art christmas ornaments clearance lime green christmas ornaments hot new christmas gifts printable christmas gift certificates naughty christmas ornaments christmas gift ideas for couples midwest christmas ornaments make my own christmas cards special christmas gifts christmas gifts for moms food christmas ornaments car christmas ornaments christmas ornament boxes perfect christmas gift for dad black cat christmas cards christmas gifts online sweet christmas gifts martha stewart christmas gifts inspirational christmas gifts shop christmas ornaments pregnant christmas ornament discount christmas ornaments golden retriever christmas ornament celtic christmas ornaments military christmas cards handmade christmas tree ornaments christmas ornament wallpaper mini christmas ornaments top 10 christmas gifts 2009 musical christmas cards beatles christmas ornament christmas gifts for 15 year olds christmas ornaments for children to make religious christmas photo cards piano christmas ornament employee christmas gift ideas top christmas gifts for him christmas credit card debt child christmas gift ethnic christmas cards guinea pig christmas cards christmas hostess gifts printable christmas cards for children cheap christmas gift ideas dog photo christmas cards animated christmas gifts great christmas gift ideas order christmas cards online christmas card scenes dachshund christmas cards reed and barton christmas ornaments favorite christmas gifts christian christmas card greetings owl christmas cards shoebox christmas cards grinch christmas cards innovative christmas cards lalique christmas ornament horse charity christmas cards best christmas gifts 2009 english christmas ornaments photo christmas cards invitations christmas gift catalogs recycled christmas gifts museum christmas cards simple homemade christmas ornaments printable christmas bingo cards christmas gift deals christmas ornament storage fair trade christmas ornaments christmas gifts for 13 year old girls unusual baby christmas gifts breyer christmas ornaments gay christmas cards chudleigh christmas card non religious christmas cards best christmas gifts for boys right left christmas gift exchange great christmas cards chic christmas cards eiffel tower christmas ornament bicycle christmas ornament 2009 dated christmas ornaments chicken christmas cards needlepoint christmas ornaments