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Barry Cox calls for an end to public service broadcasting?

Written by Martin Belam
Published 27 January, 2003
Categories: BBC, Radio, Television

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Barry Cox argues in todays Mediaguardian that it may be time to axe what he calls the BBC's poll tax - arguing that the provision of public service broadcasting can be maintained in a digital micro-payment or subscription environment. He also questions the longevity of the Sky practice of bundling a whole package of unwanted channels together just so you can access the premium channels.

However, in a stratified digital television market solely consisting of niche pay-per-view channels you simply won't stumble across The Life of Mammals - because it is unlikely there would be an initial investment to make it, and even if there was, unless you subscribe to a National Geographic style channel you wouldn't be exposed to it.

And the market principle works all very well for adults, but how do children get to see and be introduced to potentially enjoying public service provisions like drama, music, arts, historical or religious programming, if their parents only subscribe on their behalf to the American Wrestling and cartoon networks, and on their own behalf to EastEnders and Corrie?

Most of the Guardian's messageboard seem to agree.

Posted by Martin Belam, January 27, 2003
Read more posts on currybetdotnet about: BBC, Radio, Television

The views expressed on currybetdotnet are my own, and do not reflect the views of my current or former employers.

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About Martin Belam

I'm a London-based internet consultant and writer, with 8 years experience in product management, information architecture, and user experience design for global brands like Sony, Vodafone, The Guardian and the BBC. I specialise in advising on search, widgets, RSS, online news publishing and bulk email delivery.
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