The BBC should be at the heart of public service broadcasting in the UK and take on a key role of pioneering new digital platforms, according to Ofcom's PSB review published on Wednesday.

Ofcom's much-anticipated public service broadcasting blueprint suggests that the BBC should focus on the development and take-up of content across new platforms but rejects the idea of top-slicing the BBC's funding for programmes and services.

Both commercial networks, ITV and Five, will be "freed up" to concentrate on "making entertaining, engaging UK content, including national and international news, but with limited public service commitments," according to the media regulator.

Ofcom's long-awaited recommendations also suggest that Channel 4 should "create a strong, alternative public service voice to the BBC," preferably through partnerships, joint ventures or "even mergers".

The report said: "A new remit, governance and accountability will be essential [for Channel 4]."

Ofcom's review didn't rule out the possibility of Channel 4 joining forces with BBC Worldwide or merging with Five or other companies.

The report pushes Channel 4 to develop a "deeper and more integrated partnership" with BBC Worldwide or a "partnership with another commercially owned broadcaster, such as Five," competition issues notwithstanding.

In addition, Ofcom is pushing for the establishment of an "independently funded consortia" to deliver news to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and England regions.

Ofcom's review also said that competitive funding could be a solution to the delivery of PSB content, as "rising costs mean that commercial stations like ITV may stop making PSB programmes altogether unless there are major changes to the way it is funded".

"If action is not taken now then programmes such as regional news, current affairs, children's programming and some types of drama and documentaries will in the future only be available on the BBC," the report added.

Ed Richards, Ofcom's chief executive, said: "Our proposals aim to sustain the quality and creative spirit of public service broadcasting while capturing the opportunities of broadband distribution, mobility and interactivity.

"These proposals set out what we believe is required to fulfil a vision of diverse, vibrant and engaging public service broadcasting content across a range of digital media."

Two of the media industry's most respected commentators gave their views on the coming year at a one-off MediaTel Group event earlier this week. (Friday)
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MediaTel Group is hosting a full morning seminar next month looking at the 'Future of TV', which will be examining Ofcom's reviews of PSB and CRR and asking what the future holds for Channel 4. (Friday)
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Gerhard Zeiler, the chief executive of Five's parent company RTL, believes that a merger between Channel 4 and Five is the best way to sustain public service television in the UK. (Monday)
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Ofcom will recommend that the ITV breakfast television franchise, which is now owned by GMTV, should be restored to ITV to help the commercial broadcaster to shore up its finances this week. (Monday)
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Virgin Media customers will now have on-demand access to the latest Barclays Premier League games, FA CUP matches and England home friendlies following a deal with Setanta Replay. (Monday)
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Four out of the five main terrestrial channels saw declines in viewing share in December - Five was the only channel to buck the downward trend, recording a 0.1 percentage points increase year on year. (Tuesday)
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Channel 4, ITV and Five are all pleased with the recommendations set out in Ofcom's Public Service Broadcasting blueprint, which was published earlier today. (Wednesday)
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The culture secretary Andy Burnham has pledged to save Channel 4 and favours a deal with BBC Worldwide over a potential merger with Channel Five. (Thursday)
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Five US is being renamed Five USA as part of the branding refresh of the broadcaster's channels. (Thursday)
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The BBC and Channel 4 are understood to be in negotiations to buy Virgin Media's stake of UKTV, which owns channels including Gold and Dave. (Thursday)
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Dennis Publishing is launching the world's first poker magazine to have an exclusively business-to-business focus. (Monday)
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Former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev has acquired London's Evening Standard for £1 from Daily Mail & General Trust. (Wednesday)
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Ed Balls, the secretary of state for children, schools and families, has criticised a proposal to remove local councils' obligation to place public notices in local newspapers. (Wednesday)
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Sharon Parsons has been appointed editor of Bauer Media's health and wellbeing title Top Sante. She replaces Marina Crook who left last year. (Thursday)
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Tim Cain has been appointed as the Association of Online Publishers' (AOP) head of research and insight. (Tuesday)
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Sun Online has beaten the traditional December drop in users, according to new figures released by ABCe. (Thursday)
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Magic 105.4 breakfast DJ Neil Fox has extended his contract with the London station until 2012. (Monday)
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Absolute Radio has signed a new six-figure deal with Renault Vans, with the motoring brand sponsoring the broadcaster's travel bulletins on-air and online. (Monday)
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National commercial digital radio operator Digital One is formally inviting applications for new DAB radio stations and is cutting carriage costs to boost interest. (Tuesday)
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Bauer Media and Unilever have launched a six-figure cross-platform campaign to promote the launch of the newest addition to the LYNX deodorant range. (Monday)
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Declan Boyle has been appointed ad director at IPC Innovator - IPC Advertising's centralised insert and cross platform direct division. (Monday)
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The profit margins within traditional media, including newspapers and television, will never be the same again, according to WPP's chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell. (Thursday)
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The IPA has published its 2008 Agency Census report showing that there was a record number of people working in agencies last year. (Thursday)
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US newspaper ad revenues are forecast to fall to $28.4 billion by 2012, down from an estimated $37.9 billion in 2008, according to new research from eMarketer. (Wednesday) [log in to unmask]&companyid=5186&site=www.mediatelinsight.co.uk/forecastsFile.php?forecastid=4675" target=Blank>View Story

US consumers are spending 11% more time online than watching TV, and internet video is emerging as the key platform for the delivery of on-demand video services. (Thursday) [log in to unmask]&companyid=5186&site=www.mediatelinsight.co.uk/forecastsFile.php?forecastid=4676" target=Blank>View Story

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Travis Baxter, MD radio at Bauer Media, looks at what the forthcoming reports from Ofcom and Lord Carter could mean for radio... (Tuesday)
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