Culture secretary Oliver Dowden has announced the establishment of a 10-person panel to “shape the future of the UK’s public service broadcasting (PSB) system.”
The panel includes former Channel 4 chief executive Michael Grade, Sir Robbie Gibb (rumoured to be one of the candidates to take over as chair of the BBC), Nicola Mendelsohn, VP at Facebook, former CEO of ITN John Hardie and Miranda Curtis, non-exec director at Liberty Global.
It has been tasked with providing independent expertise and advice as part of the government’s strategic review of public service broadcasting (PSB), and will look at the aims, purpose and overall governance of the UK’s current system.
The PSB Advisory Panel will advise ministers on whether public service broadcasting remains relevant and what a modern PSB system should contribute to economic, cultural and democratic life across the UK. It will explore if current funding and governance models are fit for purpose.
Panellists will be expected to look at the impact of technology on audience habits and expectations as well as the financial sustainability of broadcasters and the overall structure of the TV market, including video streaming.
“Public service broadcasting is woven into the cultural fabric of the UK, but to remain relevant and meet people’s needs in the digital age it must evolve,” said Dowden.
