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Comment: Arvind Salwan asks 'What Future for TV?'

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

September 10, 2008 | 6 min read

Arvind Salwan of New Media Corp discusses the future of television following the Broadcasting Commission's report being released this week.

It was only October 2007, when the SBC initiated its independent investigation into the current state of television production and broadcasting in Scotland, and to define a strategic way forward for the industry. So has it achieved this?

The SBC has certainly been thorough in its remit. First and foremost, the appointment of Blair Jenkins as its Chair was not so much an inspired choice, as a natural one. He is one of the most experienced figures in Scottish broadcasting. Having worked with Jenkins when he was director of broadcasting at STV, and also when he was head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland, I know he is a man with a deep sense of conviction and purpose. I spoke to him briefly a week ago and, although he did not give anything away, he sounded upbeat and was looking forward to the publication of the Commission’s report and the scrutiny that would follow. The Jenkins Commission comprised a range of able and informed members, who individually brought a different perspective to the SBC, which helped angle the prism through which the investigation was undertaken.

From industry workshops in January 2008 to the 10 public events held throughout the spring, the SBC has tried hard to listen to as many varied views as possible. These events also succeeded in breaking free from the stranglehold of the Central Belt, and were hosted from Oban to Peebles and from Lerwick to Dumfries. The SBC even held an equalities workshop event last May, to consider issues relating to the accessibility and value of broadcasting in Scotland to diverse audiences. The SBC wants to know whether television is giving viewers and licence-fee payers what they want to watch, and whether the Scotland they know and want to see is reflected on television.

It wasn’t just about the viewers though. The SBC also consulted, sometimes in a semi-interrogation manner, a range of media and stakeholder organisations, and produced three interim reports, at the end of each phase of its investigation, addressing the broadcasting industry’s economic footprint, its cultural significance and the wider democratic strength of the industry.

So has the investigation delivered? Well, yes and no. I don’t think there are many surprises in the report’s recommendations. Although there are a number of good recommendations, some are missing that touch of common sense. But that is all it is, a list of pragmatic and aspirational recommendations; that is all it was ever meant to be. A series of rather bold recommendations, informed through a jolly thorough, evidence-based approach, so beloved of the public sector. No one is going to disagree with more news, with a local, national and international perspective are they? I just hope this signals the end of that perennial hot political potato that is the ‘Scottish Six’.

Although the report ticks all the boxes, in terms of its own objectives, it lacks any real vision or any practical solutions. For example, it is easy to suggest that Channel 4 should have a mandatory target for production from Scotland of 8.6%, in line with share of population, and that the Channel should base one of its commissioning departments in Scotland. In response, Channel 4 has given a luke-warm response to this. It’s a firebrand, always has been, always will be. Plus, it is not exactly in a position to finance such production levels.

The issue of finance is possibly the main obstacle to much of what the report recommends, despite it rather naively suggesting that the new Scottish Network (the digital public service channel) be funded out of the new UK settlement for Public Service Broadcasting. It is difficult to see, or justify, why £50-£75m of public spending should be allocated to subsidise the proposed new digital channel; at best, this will help generate four hours of new programming, which is comparable to the current BBC Scotland model. You do the sums. In addition to Channel Four, SMG’s Rob Woodward has given a considered response to the report, as has Ken MacQuarrie, Controller, BBC Scotland.

It is difficult to really argue strongly against any of the recommendations, as they are wholesome and pretty darn sensible. Irrespective of the report, one recommendation that I particularly agree with is that the influence and responsibilities of Ofcom Scotland should be strengthened, and there should be specific representation for Scotland on the Ofcom Board at UK level.

The SBC had been asked to carry out an independent investigation into television production and broadcasting. I think it should now look at the wider creative industries, and broadcasting’s inter-play, relationship and untapped opportunities with advertising and digital media, particularly given the convergence of new media and audience interaction. It should do this in context to the phasing in of digital switchover across Scotland. As well as a new public service digital channel, I welcome the report recommendation that this is supported by an extensive and innovative online platform.

One wonders why the report does not suggest that the existing broadcasters simply divvy up some of its main recommendations, which would be a lot smarter and cost effective than setting up a new digital channel. I think the SBC report has brought us to the equivalent of a commercial break in a pilot episode, with the ever-so-slight hint of a cliff-hanger. I anticipate that the second part will offer more interesting twists in the plot and introduce us to some new and varied characters.

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