Why free streaming channels could be the future of broadcast TV news
There are a few good reasons to get behind free-to-air channels currently in the pipeline for the BBC and ITV. One is that without them, the BBC and ITV’s news programmes risk being undermined.
The BBC’s NewsChannel, News 24, NewsChannel 5 and News 24 Extra and ITV’s The One, ITV News Channel, ITV News, ITV Extra and ITV News Extra have each reported well in the ratings over the last few months. News24 and NewsChannel 5 both had their best ever results for programmes on free-to-air during the year-end sweeps and saw audiences up to 17 percent. In the latest ratings, News24 and The One have each returned to ratings peaks after being down from the year-end high.
The other good news for free-to-air news broadcasters is that without them, the BBC and ITV have been reduced to a news content monopoly. The licence fee gives them the money to run full-time news programmes, and they have been able to make the necessary investment in their news content because they don’t have to rely on viewers to cough up funds to support their news programmes
This monopoly status means that the news content they produce is likely to be of relatively high quality and will need to be promoted, promoted and promoted to find new eyeballs. Promoted by all the means in the book.
If they lose viewers, they could soon run out of funding.
They could also miss out on some of the more niche and interesting news on offer from other broadcasters.
The BBC and ITV want a monopoly. To get a monopoly, you have to have your product in front of as many people as possible. You have to find new ways to persuade new viewers, and you have to be prepared to spend money on making your product as good as possible.
The competition that TV news faces
There are a few
