Active learning ideas
Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) vs. Commercial TV explores the unique landscape of British television. Students compare the BBC, which is funded by the licence fee and has a 'remit' to inform, educate, and entertain, with commercial broadcasters like ITV and Sky, which rely on advertising and subscriptions. This topic is essential for understanding how funding models influence the type of content we see.
Activity 01
Divide the class into two teams. One team argues that the BBC licence fee is an 'outdated tax,' while the other argues it is essential for protecting 'high-quality, British content.'
What is the purpose of Public Service Broadcasting?
Activity 02
Groups are given a list of BBC programmes from one evening. They must categorise each show according to the BBC's remit (Inform, Educate, Entertain) and present their findings on whether the BBC is meeting its goals.
How does the licence fee affect the BBC's content strategy?
Activity 03
Students act as 'Head of Programming' for a commercial channel. They must choose between a high-quality documentary and a cheap reality show, justifying their choice based on advertising revenue and audience ratings.
In what ways do commercial pressures influence television production?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
The BBC is the only Public Service Broadcaster.
In the UK, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 also have 'public service' obligations, even though they are commercially funded. A 'station rotation' looking at the remits of different channels can help clarify this.
Commercial TV only makes 'trashy' shows.
Commercial channels produce high-quality drama and news to compete for prestige and 'quality' audiences. Investigating award-winning shows from ITV or Sky helps students see the complexity of the commercial market.
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