Details here.

Ofcom say:

Though Channel 4’s ability to deliver PSB in the future is likely to come under sustained pressure from 2010 onwards, there is no apparent need for immediate intervention;

However, work to evaluate potential interventions in the long term should begin now. Ofcom will assess a full range of options post 2010 as part of its next statutory review of Public Service Broadcasting which will begin in the autumn;

The Channel 4 Board should significantly develop the ways in which it assesses the broadcaster’s remit delivery and public service contribution ahead of this period of financial uncertainty.

Ofcom will monitor Channel 4’s financial performance and delivery against its PSB remit closely to observe the impact of emerging commercial pressures.

The full Ofcom statement is available here.

My take: Is it just me, or is this the type of statement someone would make about a kid falling behind in school? ‘We’ll work with little Andy to make sure he finishes his coursework in a timely and accurate manner, taking into account his basic inability to function well in a challenging scholastic environment.’

Peppered with obvious, common-sense suggestions that should have already been considered by the broadcaster, Ofcom’s statement certainly does not reflect a lot of confidence in the Channel 4 board or management. Ofcom say a ‘monitoring process’ should be put in place and commit to working with the broadcaster to accomplish that task. Ofcom are careful to stress that the regulator should not be in a position of managing Channel 4 or establishing its strategy. But saying ‘the Board need to consider this and the Board need to do that‘ is tantamount to saying the Channel 4 board needs to step up its game.

It’s certainly not a glowing endorsement from Ofcom…