Public Service Broadcasting Without the Bbc?

Eighteen years ago, Professor Sir Alan Peacock made radical proposals in a government commissioned report on the future funding of the BBC. His proposals involved making subscription to the BBC voluntary, but providing a fund that would finance public service broadcasting on a competitive basis. He also proposed a new corporate model for the BBC that will make it independent of the state but not fully commercial. The report was widely acclaimed, as its proposals would help ensure quality programming within the context of a competitive broadcasting market. It is widely recognised that the technology is now available to make Peakcock's vision a reality. In the context of the UK Government's review of the BBC's charter and the broadcasting regulator's review of public service broadcasting, this timely contribution once again puts the existing model of broadcasting to the test. Peacock shows how his radical ideas can bow be implemented in practice. A number of commentators discuss Peacock's analysis from a an academic and practical point of view