Structure of the TV Industry
This essay will focus on the structure of the channels the BBC and ITV, which will give the reader an understanding of the structure of the television and video industry in the UK. This essay will be split up into three parts; the details of ownership and income, systems and technologies, and their regulations as well as discussing the success of both companies.
Details of Ownership and Income
In the television sector, there are one of two types of broadcasters; commercial and public service broadcasters. A public service broadcaster is a non-profit public television network. An example of this sort of TV channel would be the BBC which is run by John Reith and George Villiers. The service is viewed widely through the UK and is paid for through the TV licence fees making it a national company, but it is also broadcasts in some other countries. The fee is paid for by every household that has a television. All the money which is generated goes straight to the company and is put forward into bettering their service of entertainment. They also generate money through merchandise, DVD and programme sales on their online shop. Public service broadcasters have a duty to show certain things on their channels as they are put in place for all of the public. Their remit is to entertain and inform the audience as well as educate them. This compares to commercial broadcasters which are independent and have no duty except to entertain, even if the shows they choose to air have no beneficial effect on their audience.
Commercial broadcasters are independent broadcasting companies that rely on advertising slots on their channel for profit, unlike public service broadcasters which rely on TV Licence fees. They do not often air educational TV shows as they know a lot of the public are interested in being entertained, rather than learning. The public will often choose watch shows which do not require