Oxford Media Convention – Channel 4 – PSB innovator or mini-me-BBC?
Ofcomwatch was out in force at yesterday�s ippr/MediaGuardian/PCMLP/Arqiva Oxford Media Convention.
This is always one of the best networking events on the calendar � and yesterday�s event was no exception. Attendance was up on previous years and there was certainly a buzz about issues facing the industry this year, which includes the negotiation between independent producers and broadcasters over the exploitation of rights across various platforms, and the BBC�s Charter Renewal.
Andy Duncan kicked off the day with a keynote that focused, unsurprisingly, on Channel 4�s future, and whether it has one. It seems Channel 4�s strategy, which places an emphasis on delivering the channel�s PSB purposes, aims to develop an offering for every new platform and device. Although, currently raking in the cash, the broadcaster claims that its current business model is unsustainable once we switch to digital and the PSB �compact� starts to erode. At that point Duncan believes that Channel 4 � due to commercial constraints � will be unable to continue to deliver the best of its PSB content.
Personally, I am less convinced that Channel 4 will suffer to the degree it is suggesting. With Freeview becoming a serious contender to Sky, and E4 and More 4 having been key drivers in uptake � select audiences (particularly the one�s advertisers like such as 16-24�s) are likely to continue to grow. Still, Duncan is playing a good game, and his focus on receiving assistance by way of gifted spectrum or some form of transitional costs is a sensible approach.
Duncan announced two new items of interest � Channel 4 will launch a new online offering � FourLaughs � will mix established and non-established comedy acts, and aims to do for comedy what FourDocs has aimed to do for documentaries. In something of an �everything, including the kitchen sink� move, Duncan also announced that Channel 4 will be bidding for the recently proposed second UK national DAB licence, with the aim of rivalling the BBC for PSB radio delivery. He said �
“As well as offering a new outlet for original material, there will be spin-off opportunities from our factual and entertainment output and we bring to the table a reputation for high programme standards and an unrivalled record of innovation…our aim is to contribute something new to the radio mix by offering a public service alternative to the BBC in news, current affairs, entertainment, lifestyle, comedy and music.”
Some people I spoke to felt that the keynote was a bit dull. Personally, I think Channel 4 are bringing energy to debates around PSB, new technology and the delivery of high quality, original content � not that that makes everything they suggest right. Indeed, the scope of this new �alternative� PSB empire certainly raised some eyebrows. John McVay of PACT suggested that rather than providing an alternative Channel 4 is in the process of building a �Mini-Me-BBC� � which is a catchy phrase and is likely to stick.
Having committed herself at the very first Oxford Media Convention to return each year and deliver an update from the Government on the issues facing the media industry, Tessa Jowell delivered (i.e. read) a long, slightly rambling, keynote speech near the end of the day. She hit many of the obvious issues � BBC Charter Review, Ofcom�s television production sector review and the coming negotiations, product placement � but the point of note was the strength of the UK government’s opposition to the current European Commission proposals on Television Without Frontiers Directive. She said �
�If we want further regulation then I believe that the best approach is to rely as far as possible on self-regulation.� She went on to say that existing EU proposals in a draft directive were �as a whole . . . still unacceptable�.
Final comment – Not quite sure why the BBC sent close to 30 people to this event � although there was certainly someone on hand in most of the break-out sessions to rebuff negative comments about the corporation. Anyway, they�ll be needing an uplift in the licence fee just to pay for conferences over the next ten years.
