, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 5 - Evidence session with Ofcom
One of the issues I think we have is the lethargy of Ofcom as a regulator. You do have powers over channel 3 licences—you know you have. Denying that those powers exist is a ludicrous proposition, trying to come here and argue—. You do have powers over the…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 5 - Evidence session with Ofcom
Well, I'm not sure you hold any of the broadcasters really strongly to account, but BBC less so, possibly, than the others. In terms of BBC decision making, I've had BBC witnesses in front of me for most of the last 20 years or so, isn't it? They've never…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 5 - Evidence session with Ofcom
I'd like to see examples that really show success.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 5 - Evidence session with Ofcom
I think that's a very courageous start this afternoon. I have to say I'm not convinced, Cristina, that BBC decisions over Casualty have anything to do with Ofcom at all—nothing at all. If I think about the time that I and Phil have faced each other across…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
Sorry.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
Do both things go hand in hand?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
Why is that important?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
It would be interesting for the committee, I think, to understand that in terms of where and how much of the budget goes between both broadcasters. Because, to me, it seems—as somebody from the outside, clearly—that we are in a world where there are fewer…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
So, you pay the BBC.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
I understand that. So, you have not just the budget—the cash—that comes from the licence fee, but you also have a great many resources that come through the BBC as well, so there are two elements, if you will, of support for S4C from taxpayers.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
Can I just come in to follow on from that line of questioning on the budget? You have agreements and a good relationship with the BBC at the moment, and that includes collaborating on content creation and other aspects, but also sharing resources and sharing…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
Yes.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
What is adequate funding?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
I appreciate that. Both of you have said that there is a need for change, to some extent, when it comes to the legislative framework, and it would be good if you could write to the committee outlining exactly what kinds of changes you would like to see to the…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
I'm pleased to hear that, Geraint, but there is a difference between S4C and the other channels, because when people say that they are watching fewer BBC services, they go to Netflix or whatever—they go from one English language service to another. But when…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
So, how does that shape your strategy for the future? I accept what you're saying, Delyth, and that is something that we've been discussing. I was at the RTS Cambridge 20 years ago and was having the same discussion, so this isn't anything new. But how is…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
So, you don't think there's anything associated with S4C itself in terms of this decline?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 4 - Evidence session with S4C
A very interesting conversation about how you're reaching viewers. I look at the viewing figures and we've seen a consistent decline over the years. What is your analysis of why that's happening?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 3 - Evidence session with the BBC
We'll invite you back.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 3 - Evidence session with the BBC
Yes, I agree with you.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 3 - Evidence session with the BBC
Key to an election coverage isn't just covering the election itself, but the consequences of that election, and then holding those people elected to account afterwards.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 3 - Evidence session with the BBC
But it's not the norm. That's the question.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 3 - Evidence session with the BBC
And it was covered well, to be fair.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 3 - Evidence session with the BBC
Services in Wales, serving Welsh audiences.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Public service broadcasting in Wales: Panel 3 - Evidence session with the BBC
And that means serving your audiences in Wales properly.
