A New Era for BBC: Samir Shah’s Vision for the Future

On Tuesday in Leeds, England, new BBC chair Samir Shah made his debut public speech. He spoke about his vision for the future of U.K. public service broadcasting and discussed his plans for the BBC, calling it a “very British success story”.

The Challenges of Streaming

However, Shah did not shy away from the challenges that the rise of streaming services present. “The fight is on,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for immediate action to secure the future of public service broadcasters, lest they become a fond memory of a bygone era.

The Joy of Choices

Shah noted the fantastic variety of entertainment options available today. He suggested that many people, including himself, enjoy multiple subscriptions to streaming services, with shows ranging from ‘Slow Horses’ to ‘Stranger Things’ and sports from Champions League football to Test Match cricket. He acknowledged that these choices have greatly enriched his leisure time.

Embracing the On-Demand World

In his vision for public service broadcasters (PSBs), Shah encouraged the embrace of the on-demand world’s exciting opportunities. However, he also advocated for shaping the choices within this new media landscape to benefit the public good.

Access to PSBs

Shah voiced strong support for easy access to PSBs on all platforms. He urged the U.K. government and regulator Ofcom to prioritize the implementation of the new Media Act and adopt a more forward-thinking regulatory approach.

Regulatory Support

Highlighting the need for a regulatory system that enables Ofcom to support PSBs, he called for greater agility, flexibility, and speed in the face of rapid changes in the media world. He noted that regulatory processes often lag behind, leaving organizations like the BBC at a disadvantage while companies like Netflix, Disney, or Amazon surge ahead.

Protecting the Grassroots

Shah’s third aim is to safeguard the grassroots. As Chair, he vowed to engage with PSBs and discuss with the government how the tax system and policy environment could better support training and skills for the entire sector, across the U.K.

Questioning Government Review

The 72-year-old also questioned the seemingly continuous government review of the BBC. He noted that no other country has a similar system and emphasized that public service broadcasters are at the heart of social and cultural life, making them worth fighting for.

Three Reasons Why PSBs Are Important

Shah listed three reasons — economic, social, and cultural — that make PSBs vital. They have been instrumental in the growth of the world-class creative sector, and they underpin it, he said. Socially, PSBs have reflected British society in all its diversity, from Channel 4’s mission to give voice to marginalized communities to ITV’s Coronation Street.

Cultural Influence

Culturally, PSBs have always shaped and influenced national debate. They have brought the nation together in shared experiences, whether in outrage, joy, or sadness.

Permanent BBC Charter

Shah also proposed a permanent BBC charter, aligning the company with other institutions like the Bank of England or U.K. Sport. At present, the BBC’s royal charter is renewed every 10 years, with the next renewal due in 2027.

Addressing the Huw Edwards Scandal

In his speech, Shah also addressed the scandal surrounding former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards, who was convicted of child sex offences. He expressed serious concern about unacceptable behaviour in the BBC and reaffirmed the board’s commitment to rooting out abuses of power.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Samir Shah’s vision for the future of U.K. public service broadcasting is one of embracing change while preserving core values. His plans for the BBC and PSBs reflect a commitment to innovation, accessibility, regulatory support, and maintaining high standards of behaviour.

FAQs

Who is Samir Shah?

Samir Shah is a British broadcasting executive who was recently appointed as the new chair of the BBC.

What is the vision of Samir Shah for the BBC?

Samir Shah aims to embrace the on-demand world while shaping the choices within this new media landscape to benefit the public good. He also plans to protect grassroots and aims for a permanent BBC charter.

What are public service broadcasters (PSBs)?

Public service broadcasters are media organizations like the BBC that provide public broadcasting services, often funded by the public through taxes or license fees.

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