BBC is ‘ignoring its older female viewers’
PUBlIC service broadcasters such as the BBC are neglecting older women and audiences outside london, the watchdog has warned.
These groups do not feel their needs are represented by public service broadcasters including the BBC and Channel 4, according to an ofcom report.
It came as the regulator’s chief executive yesterday urged channels to work together to survive in an environment dominated by US online giants netflix and amazon.
Yesterday ofcom released its Public Service Broadcasting in the Digital age report. It read: ‘There is concern among audiences that public service broadcasters do not fully portray and represent the nations, regions and diverse communities of the UK.
‘older women, young people, people living outside london and people from ethnic minority backgrounds feel less satisfied with public service broadcasters than do other audiences.’
The regulator said children’s programmes were ‘ less well catered for’ and warned it would hold ‘the BBC to account for distinctive content’.
In the fight to survive against streaming services, broadcasters were warned they must pump resources into producing British content – as youngsters now mainly use TVs for gaming or to watch shows online.
ofcom boss Sharon White told a media conference that the Corporation should renew its commitment to areas such as religion and the arts to ‘ensure it retains its central role in British life’.
The BBC’s deputy directorgeneral anne Bulford said it was important for viewers to be able to watch ‘content that is original, distinctive, and – above all – British’. Her comments came despite ofcom stating that the BBC’s investment in content from the UK had fallen in real terms from £1.5billion to £1.3billion since 2008.
Miss Bulford told Enders and Deloitte’s media and telecoms conference: ‘This is not just about the risk of the BBC increasingly finding it harder to compete in an ever more competitive global market.
‘It is about a real and imminent threat to the British content that matters most to British audiences.’
Responding to criticism that the BBC was excluding parts of society, she said: ‘For British people, British programming really matters. We want our TV to respond directly to our lives and reflect the country – and the communities – we live in.’
Consumer group The Voice of The listener and Viewer said broadcasters must provide something for everyone – including younger audiences – to remain relevant.
The BBC has previously warned of a potential £500million shortfall over the next decade that could put home-grown British programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and Sherlock at risk.
The Corporation yesterday said it was committed to ensuring it served all audiences.