Emily Bell’s written an interesting piece in today’s Media Guardian abgut what our new regulator, Ofcom, should or should not do about “zero rated” programmes.
What I find most curious is that she almost openly admits that it’s the likes of Mediaguardian, as well as Broadcast, that feverishly examine a programme’s ratings as the most important thing about it. Many an ITV executive might well agree with that argument, but what about programmes on digital channels. Someone certainly is watching – we’re just seeing a system that can’t really cope with niche programming. The “BARB is broken” route is not taken, instead the question is whether a co-produced documentary about the middle east that’s seen by only 20,000 people is worth the hundred thousand cost. If it means I’ve got an alternative to I’m A Celebrity, then yes it is.
I think talk of Ofcom really muddies the water. They don’t have an enormous amount of say in matters as legislation currently stands, but another mention of Greg Dyke’s archive is always worth a mention. This could prove to be one the greatest achievements in recent broadcast history if it’s pulled off.