Channel 4 in crisis:
- Loss of viewing ratings for BB the loss of phone-in revenue as a result of the premium-rate TV competition scandals.
- C4 has reached a "tipping point" with a new public funding solution now "urgently required" if it is to continue to compete with the BBC.
- The core Channel 4 service recorded an operating loss of £7.8m after programme costs grew faster than advertising, according to the report.
- Ratings for the core Channel 4 service fell 11% in 2007 but there was an increase in audience for its digital channels, E4, More4 and Film4.
Privatising C4:
-Peter Bazalgette, an influential broadcasting figure thanks to his decade-long association with Big Brother and Deal or No Deal producer Endemol, said the debate about the future of public service broadcasting was too narrow and rooted in the vested interests of existing players. (he calls for more PSB bodies)
-He suggests 4 ways of doing this:
• A programme of "modest privatisation" at the BBC, selling off Radio 1, Radio 2 and BBC Worldwide
• A structured sell off of Channel 4 that forced it to retain certain public service aims
• Releasing ITV and Five from public service obligations but charging them for spectrum following digital switchover
• Redistributing the £150m in "excess licence fee", currently being used by the BBC to fund digital switchover, that will be released in 2012
The money that would come from this shakeup can then be used to for "boogle" -a new idea whereby the arts industries can produce programmes to further widen the scope of PSB.
Gambling ad's banned:
- Paddy Power and InterCasino have become the first gambling companies to have campaigns banned by the advertising watchdog since laws were relaxed last September.
- The code, introduced on September 1 following the relaxation of ad rules under the Gambling Act 2005, allows gambling companies to advertise more freely in print media as well as on TV for the first time after the 9pm watershed or around televised sporting events.
- The ASA argued that the Paddy Power ad broke the advertising code by linking gambling with sexual success and an improved self-image. (a dwarf with 2 beautiful women)
It also said that the juvenile behaviour in the InterCasino ads breached the code by appealing to children or young people. (dwarves employing jackass tactics for fun)
