Publications A-Z
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Loading...Broadcasting
It is one of the UK Film Council's main policy priorities to ensure optimum fit between UK film policy and UK broadcasting policy. To this end, the organisation works closely with the UK's public service broadcasters, the regulatory body, Ofcom, and the European Commission to make the case for film whenever and wherever relevant.
In this section, you will find publications and submissions that the UK Film Council has made concerning the BBC, Ofcom and the European Commission's Television Without Frontiers Directive.
BBC
The BBC and the UK Film Council represent two of the biggest stakeholders in UK Film. They have a shared objective to support film and filmmaking in the UK. As part of its relationship with the BBC, the UK Film Council has made submissions to consultations. These can be found here.
BBC Charter Review - Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry submission
April 2004: In parallel with the DCMS consultation that launched the BBC Charter Review, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee commenced an inquiry. The UK Film Council response to this inquiry drew on the submission already made to the DCMS.
BBC Charter Review - Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry submission
BBC Charter Review - Response to DCMS consultation
April 2004: The DCMS launched the BBC Charter Review in December 2003 with a public consultation. The UK Film Council submitted a response that made a strong case for the close and complementary relationship between the goals set for the BBC and those of UK film policy.
BBC Charter Review Green Paper - Submission to House of Lords Select Committee
May 2005: The House of Lords Select Committee on the BBC Charter Review issued a consultation on the DCMS Green Paper. The UK Film Council submission focused on film, and UK film in particular, in relation to the BBC's core purposes, as well as audience access, audience development, training and skills and film heritage.
BBC Charter Review Green Paper - Submission to House of Lords Select Committee
BBC Charter Review Green Paper - Response to DCMS consultation
May 2005: The DCMS published in March 2005 A strong BBC, independent of government, its Green Paper on the BBC Charter Review, following an initial public consultation and subsequent research on its proposals during 2004.
In its response to the consultation on the Green Paper the UK Film Council built on its earlier submission to the DCMS in April 2004, and made the case that the BBC should deliver public value by, amongst other things, increasing its investment in the acquisition and production of British films, by showcasing the full range of UK and specialised cinema, and by encouraging cinema-going in the UK.
BBC Charter Review Green Paper - Response to DCMS consultation
BBC consultation - Service licences and the Public Value Test
December 2005: As part of the Review of the BBC's Charter, the BBC published two key ideas for the future governance of the BBC's services - Service Licences and the Public Value Test. In October 2005, the BBC launched a consultation on these proposals. The UK Film Council's response to this consultation can be downloaded here.
BBC consultation - Service licences and the Public Value Test
BBC Charter Review White Paper - Response to DCMS consultation
April 2006: Following the responses to the public consultation on the Green Paper on the BBC Charter Review and subsequent Government research, the White Paper, entitled 'A public service for all: the BBC in the digital age', was published in March 2006. This paper addressed all aspects of the BBC from production and programming to its governance, regulation and accountability to the public.
Comments were invited on the White Paper and the UK Film Council made a submission which concentrated on media literacy, archives, training and the BBC's film strategy.
BBC Charter Review White Paper - Response to DCMS consultation
BBC Public Purpose Remits: Public Consultation by the BBC Trust
April 2007: The UK Film Council responded to a consultation by the BBC Trust on its purpose remits. It said that the remits were, in large part, an accurate reflection of the six public purposes that have been set for the BBC. However, it also suggested that the BBC Trust needed to strengthen and refine its references to media literacy.
BBC Public Purpose Remits: Public Consultation by the BBC Trust
Memorandum of Understanding
February 2006: The UK Film Council has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the BBC. The MOU covers a variety of joint activities around UK and specialised films (including online distribution and learning initiatives) which the two parties are taking forward during the Charter Period which commenced in January 2007.
BBC Trust Workplan
April 2008: The UK Film Council made a submission to the BBC Trust's consultation on its draft 2008/9 Workplan. We underlined the need for the BBC to work effectively with partners and noted that under the Agreement which accompanies the BBC Charter, the Trust must have regard to the need for a BBC Film Strategy.
BBC Trust: Application from the BBC Executive to define and promote an IP television station (‘Project Canvas’)
April 2009
The UK Film Council submitted a response to the BBC Trust's consultation on Project Canvas and strongly welcomed the proposal to create Canvas, particularly as a means for audiences to access innovative services offering access to cultural content in new ways.
BBC Trust: Assessment of Project Canvas proposals
September 2009
The UK Film Council submitted a response to the second BBC Trust consulation on Project Canvas, the BBC Executive's proposals to form a joint venture partnership to deliver internet protocol television (IPTV). We reiterated our strong support for this venture, particularly as a means of encouraging greatly increased take-up of legal services delivering films and other public service content via the internet.
BBC Trust: Provisional conclusions regarding Project Canvas
February 2010: The UK Film Council submitted a response to the BBC Trust's consultation on its provisional conclusions regarding Project Canvas, underlining strong support for Canvas and in particular for its potential to broaden access to film in all its diversity.
Office of Fair Trading: Project Canvas
April 2010: The UK Film Council responded to an invitation to comment on the proposed Project Canvas from the Office of Fair Trading, welcoming the proposed nature of Canvas and stating that it will help broaden access to a wide range of public service content including film.
UK Intellectual Property Office: Taking Forward the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property, Second Stage Consultation from the copyright exceptions
March 2010: The UK Film Council submitted a response to the Second Stage Consultation from the UK Intellectual Property Office on copyright exceptions, broadly welcoming the proposals for new exceptions as they will help to enhance public access.
BBC Trust: Strategic Review
May 2010: The UK Film Council made a submission to the BBC Trust's consultation on the BBC Executive's Strategic Review, underlining the importance of a strong, securely-financed and independent BBC to both licence fee payers and the UK's creative industries.
Ofcom
Ofcom is the regulator for the communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.
Ofcom's strategy and priorities for the promotion of media literacy - Media Literacy Task Force response
August 2004: Ofcom published in June 2004 a consultation paper entitled Ofcom's strategy and priorities for the promotion of media literacy, seeking endorsement for its definition of media literacy and the strategy for its promotion. The Media Literacy Task Force, of which the UK Film Council is a member along with Channel 4, the BBC, the British Film Institute and Skillset, responded to this consultation, asking for a review of current research into media literacy based on a broader definition than that set out by Ofcom.
Ofcom Annual Plan 2005/06 - UK Film Council response
March 2005: After its first two years of operation, Ofcom published for consultation in January 2005 its Annual Plan setting out a three year strategic plan and priorities for the first financial year of that programme of work, 2005/06. The UK Film Council's submission made the case for enhancing the linkages between broadcasting and film policies, in particular around diversity and inclusion, the development of broadband services, strengthening the creative industries in the nations and regions, and intensifying the fight against piracy.
Ofcom PSB Review: Phase III - UK Film Council response
April 2005: As one of its first priorities following its establishment, Ofcom was required by Parliament to review the effectiveness of Public Service Television Broadcasting (PSB) and to report on how it could be maintained and strengthened. Phase Three of this review focused on PSB for the Nations and Regions of the UK. The UK Film Council's submission called for Ofcom to broaden its proposals so as to encourage broadcasters to create and implement comprehensive strategies for the development of creative industries and culture throughout the UK.
Ofcom PSB Review: Phase II - UK Film Council response
November 2004: As one of its first priorities following its establishment, Ofcom was required by Parliament to review the effectiveness of Public Service Television Broadcasting (PSB) and to report on how it could be maintained and strengthened. Phase Two of this review focused on the challenge posed by digital technology to the established PSB model and set out proposals for how the public service broadcasters could most effectively adapt to deliver the best possible services to audiences. The UK Film Council response restated that Ofcom should recognise film as a fundamental component of PSB, and called for convergence not just at the level of digital technologies and content creation but also with regard to policy development and implementation.
Ofcom PSB Review: Phase I - UK Film Council response
June 2004: As one of its first priorities following its establishment, Ofcom was required by Parliament to review the effectiveness of Public Service Television Broadcasting (PSB) and to report on how it could be maintained and strengthened. Phase One of this review focused on how well the existing terrestrial broadcasters were delivering on their objectives. The UK Film Council's response called for Ofcom to address more effectively the nature and function of film as defined in the Communications Act 2003 and the role it should play in fulfilling the objectives set for public service broadcasters.
Ofcom PSB: Statements of Programme Policy and Self-Assessment Reviews - UK Film Council response
August 2004: In parallel with its PSB Review, Ofcom issued in June 2004 a consultation with proposals for how to balance the legitimate right of public service broadcasters to review their own achievements with the need to ensure that there was also a framework for citizens and regulators to assess those achievements. The UK Film Council's response stated its intention to work with the public service broadcasters and Ofcom to ensure that the broadcasters' policies and self assessment reviews took full account of their obligations to film.
Ofcom PSB: Statements of Programme Policy and Self-Assessment Reviews - UK Film Council response
Ofcom Review of the Television Production Sector
March 2006: Following on from Ofcom's review of public service television broadcasting carried out in 2004/5, a review of the television production sector was undertaken. In January 2006, Ofcom published a consultation paper that summarised the findings of its review and asked questions about whether any new public interventions were needed to secure benefits for viewers. The UK Film Council responded to this consultation, focusing its submission on the issues surrounding the distribution of films on alternative distribution platforms.
Draft Annual Plan 2007/08
February 2007: In its response to Ofcom's consultation on its Annual Plan 2007/08, the UK Film Council argues that Ofcom should engage far more actively with film issues. Such issues include the place of film in a changing PSB environment, the role of film as a driver of broadband take-up and the online infringement of film copyrights. The UK Film Council also argued that Ofcom should widen the scope of its work on media literacy to better reflect its statutory obligations under the Communications Act.
Digital Dividend Review
March 2007: A submission was made in response to Ofcom's Digital Dividend Review. The Review concerns the options for auctioning the spectrum which becomes available as a consequence of digital switchover. We argued that arrangements need to be made to ensure that the frequencies used for wireless microphones - ubiquitous on film sets - continue to be easily accessible to existing user groups.
Potential role of the Public Service Publisher
March 2007: The UK Film Council submitted a response to the Ofcom discussion paper A new approach to public service content in the digital media age: the potential role of the public service publisher. The response welcomed the analysis of the changing landscape of public service broadcasting. We support the principle that the BBC should not become the sole provider of public service broadcasting in a digital age. However, we believe that detailed discussion of the potential role of a new platform in the form of a public service publisher is premature in the context of the ongoing Financial Review of Channel 4 being undertaken by Ofcom.
Financial Review of Channel 4
May 2007: In its submission to Ofcom's Financial Review of Channel 4, the UK Film Council stated it believes that a strong, well-resourced Channel 4 which is committed to the objectives of public service broadcasting has a continuing, and indeed more significant, role to play in helping the British film industry and the culture of film within the UK to flourish.
Response to Ofcom Broadcasting Code October 04
Response to Ofcom Broadcasting Code October 04
Ofcom Signing on Television - Proposed Changes
July 2007: The UK Film Council responded to Ofcom's consultation on the Use of Signing on Television. It agreed with Ofcom that requirements around signing could be relaxed for some channels which attract very small audiences. However, it urged Ofcom to undertake thorough research to ensure that mechanisms are in place to ensure that there is no consequent diminution of access for any part of the audience.
Programme-making and special events
August 2007: The UK Film Council responded to a consultation by Ofcom on Programme-making and special events: future spectrum access. It argued that interleaved spectrum needed to be considered alongside the use of Channel 69 and in relation to other spectrum available to the Programme-Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector.
The UK Film Council reiterated its belief, made in response to Ofcom's Digital Dividend Review consultation in March 2007 that serious concerns arise in relation to any proposal to auction spectrum used by the PMSE sector since such an auction might prevent many of those in the PMSE sector in utilizing the spectrum going forward, and that this would have a very damaging impact on the film and television production ecology of the UK.
Ofcom: Public Service Television Broadcasting Review
September 2007: The UK Film Council made a submission in response to the publication by Ofcom of its Terms of Reference for its Review of Public Service Broadcasting. The submission welcomed the general thrust of Ofcom's approach in relation to the changing landscape brought about by digital technologies. It argued that the Review needs to focus clearly on the benefits that culturally British and specialised films deliver to audiences via the public service broadcasters.
Ofcom: Proposed BSkyB digital terrestrial (DTT) services consultation
December 2007: The UK Film Council submitted a response to Ofcom's consultation on Proposed BSkyB digital terrestrial (DTT) services. It concluded that the BSkyB proposal would not deliver optimal benefits to the consumer without some additional conditions being imposed, principally because the operator of the proposed channels is already the dominant operator on the Digital Satellite (DSAT) platform. Further the emergence of a single operator that has dominance on both the DTT and DSAT platforms could mean that the consumer would pay more for film channels in addition to a decrease in the range of films available.
Ofcom: Proposed BSkyB digital terrestrial (DTT) services consultation
Ofcom: Future Broadband - Policy Approach to Next Generation Access consultation
December 2007: The UK Film Council submitted a response to Ofcom's consultation on Future Broadband - Policy Approach to Next Generation Access. It argued that the roll-out of next generation access is essential to assist the development of legitimate digital services and that investment should take place as soon as possible, with public policies helping to stimulate such roll-out wherever possible.
Ofcom: Future Broadband - Policy Approach to Next Generation Access consultation
Ofcom: The Future of Children’s Television Programming consultation
December 2007: The UK Film Council submitted a response to Ofcom's consultation on The Future of Children's Television Programming. It argued that the provision of high-quality children's television content is important in stimulating the collective imagination and the cultural life of the UK's children and young people. It observed that the production of such programming should not be left solely to the BBC since plurality of provision helps to ensure that children and young people have access to a variety of perspectives. We also argued that there should be a specific examination of the role of feature films for children on television, since this was missing from the research to date.
Ofcom: The Future of Children’s Television Programming consultation
Ofcom Draft Annual Plan 2008/09
February 2008: The UK Film Council submitted comments to Ofcom's consultation on its draft Annual Plan 2008/2009. The UK Film Council welcomed the general direction of the proposed policy work programme. In particular, the UK Film Council was pleased to see that the top priority areas include reviewing models for public service broadcasting, promoting media literacy and engaging in the development of new EU legislation.
Ofcom Pay TV Market Investigation
February 2008: The UK Film Council submitted comments to Ofcom's consultation on its Pay-TV market investigation. The UK Film Council said that the structure of the UK pay market raises a number of potential competition law issues which merit further investigation by Ofcom.
Ofcom: Second Public Service Broadcasting Review
June 2008: The UK Film Council submitted a response to Ofcom's Second Public Service Broadcasting Review - Phase One: The Digital Opportunity. We highlighted the role that public service broadcasters play a vital role in helping ensure that culturally distinctive British films have reach and impact. Their investment in British films will continue to be critical in a digital age, so as to ensure that viewers have access to high-quality UK content which is engaging, stimulating and often innovative.
Ofcom: Citizens, Communications and Convergence
October 2008
The UK Film Council responded to the Ofcom consultation and expressed the view that media literacy should be a higher priority for Ofcom because it holds the key to the successful and sustainable uptake of communications. The rights and responsibilities involved in 'being citizen' is primary, whereas persons acting as consumers is of a secondary nature and in a subordinate category to that primary role of citizen.
Ofcom: Second Public Service Broadcasting Review - Phase Two: Preparing for the Digital Future
December 2008
The UK Film Council responded to the Ofcom consultation supporting the refined Model 3 'BBC/Channel 4 plus limited competitive funding' which we believe will be most effective in delivering public purposes. The submission stressed that competitive funding has the potential to play a significant role in delivering public benefits to audiences, for example by improving the availability of cultural content.
Ofcom: Second Public Service Broadcasting Review - Phase Two: Preparing for the Digital Future
Ofcom: Delivering super-fast broadband in the UK
December 2008
The UK Film Council made a submission to Ofcom's consultation on super-fast broadband. The submission supported Ofcom's view that significant benefits will be delivered to both citizens and consumers by next generation access. However, it also argued that Ofcom's analysis focused on technical issues at the expense of a full analysis of the benefits to content owners/rights holders and citizens.
Ofcom: second consultation on pay-TV and market investigation
December 2008
The UK Film Council made a submission to Ofcom's second consultation on pay-TV. The submission noted that the current structure of the pay TV market raises a number of potential competition law concerns and welcomed the measures proposed by Ofcom to address the concerns.
Ofcom: second consultation on pay-TV and market investigation
Ofcom: DTT second consultation on Sky’s picnic proposal
December 2008
A short submission was made by the UK Film Council to Ofcom's second consultation on Sky's Picnic Proposal. The submission stated that implementing the wholesale must offer remedy set out in the Pay TV Market investigation second consultation might be sufficient to address the concerns arising from Picnic.
Ofcom: Draft Annual Plan 09/10
February 2009
The UK Film Council made a submission in response to Ofcom's consultation on its Draft Annual Plan 2009/10. The submission welcomed it's general direction but drew particular attention to the need to ensure that the development of a new three year strategic framework should take account of the Government's final Digital Britain report.
Ofcom: Access and Inclusion: Digital communications for all
June 2009
The UK Film Council submitted a response to the Access and Inclusion consultation supporting Ofcom's approach. It did however stress that all citizens should be educated, encouraged and positively supported in their online communications, their creative and critical use of the internet and digital technologies.
Ofcom's Draft Annual Plan 2010-11
February 2010: The UK Film Council made a submission to Ofcom's consultation on its Draft Annual Plan 2010-11 emphasising the need for the Plan to be flexible enough to take account of new responsibilities which may arise from the proposed legislation in the Digital Economy Bill.
Ofcom: Initial Obligations Code regarding online copyright infringement
July 2010: The UK Film Council made a submission to Ofcom's consultation on the Initial Obligations Code regarding online copyright infringement. It broadly supported Ofcom's approach but raised some concerns on provisions which may have a damaging impact on the willingness of some public organisations to offer internet access.
Ofcom: Initial Obligations Code regarding online copyright infringement
Cultural Capital: Maximising Public Value across the Cultural and Broadcasting Sectors
In January 2006, the UK Film Council hosted in partnership with NESTA, the British Film Institute, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and Arts Council England, a seminar to discuss joint ways to strengthen creative and cultural activity in
Television Without Frontiers
Television Without Frontiers is a Directive of the European Union. Since it was adopted in 1989, its aim has been to enable the free movement of television broadcasting services in the Union so as to promote the development of a European market in broadcasting and related activities. The Directive has implications for film in terms of its promotion and transmission across Europe, and so the UK Film Council has provided its input into the Review of Television Without Frontiers which has been underway since 2003.
Television Without Frontiers Directive Review - consultation response
July 2003: The European Commission launched a public consultation on the Review of Television Without Frontiers in 2003. The UK Film Council's response made a case for the revised Directive to include a specific mention of the importance of promoting and transmitting film across Europe as a means of showcasing the diversity of European cultures and encouraging exchanges between them.
Television Without Frontiers Directive Review - consultation response
Television Without Frontiers - UK EU Presidency Conference 2005
September 2005: In preparation for the UK's EU Presidency Between Culture and Commerce conference in Liverpool in September 2005, the Commission published in July 2005 for consultation six issues papers which summarised the findings and recommendations of the review up to that point.
Television Without Frontiers - UK EU Presidency Conference 2005
Proposal by the European Commission for the Revision of The 'Television Without Frontiers' Directive - UK Film Council response to the DCMS consultation
September 2006: The UK Film Council has responded to the Television Without Frontiers consultation by the UK Government on proposal by the European Commission for the revision of the 'Television Without Frontiers' Directive. The European Commission is proposing to introduce this Directive which is a revision of the Directive originally known as Television Without Frontiers. The change of name and the proposed revisions to the Directive are designed to reflect the transition to a digital age.
Public Service Broadcasting
Public Service Media Content
January 2007: The UK Film Council made a submission to the DCMS Select Committee Inquiry into Public Service Media Content. It argues that that the UK should continue to hold plurality of public service provision as one of the central tenets of broadcasting policy for the foreseeable future. It also welcomes the opportunity to have a debate around the proposed Public Service Publisher and recognised that the new media world is creating new model forms of content and possibilities for creative citizen engagement.
