Broadcast News
18/06/2009
Digital Britain Revealed
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to rush a Bill through parliament to take some of the BBC's licence fee revenue away.
The move comes on foot of this week's highly-anticipated Digital Britain report.
His Cabinet Media Secretary Ben Bradshaw has already told MPs that the government would publish a consultation document on the proposal to take some of the licence fee from the BBC to fund ITV regional news.
The move is anticipated within the next two weeks, timed to become law quickly.
Such haste would allow the government to introduce a bill in the Queen's Speech in the autumn and for it to become law before May 2010.
Expanding on the licence fee development, Mr Bradshaw told MPs: "A strong confident and independent BBC is more important than ever.
"This government supports multi-annual licence fee settlements for the BBC so it can plan ahead and act independently of day to day political pressures.
"But we also believe it is in the BBC's own interests to evolve into more of a public service partner with other media organisations," he said.
The controversial proposal was one of several just unveiled and also included key proposals for broadband and a potential tie-up between BBC Worldwide and Channel 4.
The report wants to achieve universal access to 2Mbps broadband by 2012 across the UK and a fund for investment in the next generation of superfast broadband to ensure it is available UK-wide.
It also proposed a digital radio upgrade by 2015 and accelerated current and next generation mobile coverage and services.
Crucially too, there is a new role for the regulator Ofcom being proposed to carry out a full assessment of the UK's communications infrastructure every two years.
Also on digital, a 'new direction' for Channel 4 is being sought championing new talent across all digital media.
Support for independently funded news consortia to take over regional news on ITV is also on the agenda.
On digital participation there is to be a three-year national plan to improve digital participation including a programme of digital switchover in public services, a new 'Digital Inclusion Champion' and with the revised digital remit for Channel 4 the suggestion of a key role for BBC in digital development.
(BMcC/JM)
The move comes on foot of this week's highly-anticipated Digital Britain report.
His Cabinet Media Secretary Ben Bradshaw has already told MPs that the government would publish a consultation document on the proposal to take some of the licence fee from the BBC to fund ITV regional news.
The move is anticipated within the next two weeks, timed to become law quickly.
Such haste would allow the government to introduce a bill in the Queen's Speech in the autumn and for it to become law before May 2010.
Expanding on the licence fee development, Mr Bradshaw told MPs: "A strong confident and independent BBC is more important than ever.
"This government supports multi-annual licence fee settlements for the BBC so it can plan ahead and act independently of day to day political pressures.
"But we also believe it is in the BBC's own interests to evolve into more of a public service partner with other media organisations," he said.
The controversial proposal was one of several just unveiled and also included key proposals for broadband and a potential tie-up between BBC Worldwide and Channel 4.
The report wants to achieve universal access to 2Mbps broadband by 2012 across the UK and a fund for investment in the next generation of superfast broadband to ensure it is available UK-wide.
It also proposed a digital radio upgrade by 2015 and accelerated current and next generation mobile coverage and services.
Crucially too, there is a new role for the regulator Ofcom being proposed to carry out a full assessment of the UK's communications infrastructure every two years.
Also on digital, a 'new direction' for Channel 4 is being sought championing new talent across all digital media.
Support for independently funded news consortia to take over regional news on ITV is also on the agenda.
On digital participation there is to be a three-year national plan to improve digital participation including a programme of digital switchover in public services, a new 'Digital Inclusion Champion' and with the revised digital remit for Channel 4 the suggestion of a key role for BBC in digital development.
(BMcC/JM)
Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.
06/02/2018
Nominations For RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018 Announced
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Gues
Nominations For RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018 Announced
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Gues
29/01/2016
RTS Announces Television Journalism Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2016. The awards, for news and current aff
RTS Announces Television Journalism Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2016. The awards, for news and current aff
27/11/2006
BBC Pilots User-Generated News On BBC News 24
BBC News 24 is launching the first all user-generated news programme featuring material sent in by the public. Your News, which began as a pilot recen
BBC Pilots User-Generated News On BBC News 24
BBC News 24 is launching the first all user-generated news programme featuring material sent in by the public. Your News, which began as a pilot recen
20/02/2014
RTS Announces TV Journalism Awards
Last night saw the Royal Television Society (RTS) present awards to the winners of the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2012/2013. The ceremony was ch
RTS Announces TV Journalism Awards
Last night saw the Royal Television Society (RTS) present awards to the winners of the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2012/2013. The ceremony was ch
13/04/2016
Production News : Nominations Announced For RTS Scotland Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for this year's RTS Scotland Awards 2016. The awards cover all forms of production in
Production News : Nominations Announced For RTS Scotland Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for this year's RTS Scotland Awards 2016. The awards cover all forms of production in
30/01/2008
BBC News Chooses Signiant's Digital Media Distribution Management Suite
Signiant has announced that BBC News has chosen Signiant’s Digital Media Distribution Management Suite (DMDMS) to enhance its digital content distribu
BBC News Chooses Signiant's Digital Media Distribution Management Suite
Signiant has announced that BBC News has chosen Signiant’s Digital Media Distribution Management Suite (DMDMS) to enhance its digital content distribu
12/10/2005
Licence-fee payers should not bear the full costs of digital switch-over says VLV
Politicians and consumer groups have united in concern over the BBC’s proposals to increase the licence fee over the rate of inflation from 2007. Joce
Licence-fee payers should not bear the full costs of digital switch-over says VLV
Politicians and consumer groups have united in concern over the BBC’s proposals to increase the licence fee over the rate of inflation from 2007. Joce
29/09/2017
RTS Announces Nominations For North West Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the nominations for its annual awards, at an event sponsored by Audio Network. Cat
RTS Announces Nominations For North West Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the nominations for its annual awards, at an event sponsored by Audio Network. Cat
02/10/2015
RTS North West Announce Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the shortlist for its annual awards at an event hosted by CBBC presenter Lauren Lay
RTS North West Announce Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the shortlist for its annual awards at an event hosted by CBBC presenter Lauren Lay
21/05/2015
RTS Announces Winners Of Scotland Awards 2014
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the winners of the RTS Scotland Awards 2014. Chaired by April Chamberlain, the awards cover all forms
RTS Announces Winners Of Scotland Awards 2014
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the winners of the RTS Scotland Awards 2014. Chaired by April Chamberlain, the awards cover all forms
25/03/2003
Sky News trounce BBC News 24 in Iraq ratings battle
Coverage of the Iraq War has seen Sky News attract three times as many viewers as BBC News 24, strengthening its reputation as the channel for breakin
Sky News trounce BBC News 24 in Iraq ratings battle
Coverage of the Iraq War has seen Sky News attract three times as many viewers as BBC News 24, strengthening its reputation as the channel for breakin
16/10/2001
BBC NEWS, ITN AND SKY NEWS ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT
BBC News, ITN and Sky News have issued a joint statement following the meeting in Downing Street on October 15 concerning national broadcast coverage
BBC NEWS, ITN AND SKY NEWS ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT
BBC News, ITN and Sky News have issued a joint statement following the meeting in Downing Street on October 15 concerning national broadcast coverage
11/04/2017
RTS Announce Scotland Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Scotland Awards 2017. The awards cover all forms of production in Scotlan
RTS Announce Scotland Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Scotland Awards 2017. The awards cover all forms of production in Scotlan
30/01/2015
Nominations Announced For RTS Television Journalism Awards
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2013/2014. The awards, for news and current
Nominations Announced For RTS Television Journalism Awards
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2013/2014. The awards, for news and current
14/06/2010
BBC Licence Fee Set For Debate
The way in which the BBC is funded in the future is to be further analysed. The Government intends to discuss whether a TV licence fee "is the right w
BBC Licence Fee Set For Debate
The way in which the BBC is funded in the future is to be further analysed. The Government intends to discuss whether a TV licence fee "is the right w