As part of our nationwide debate on the future of public service media, we have held industry events across the UK, including our three-day SS:BD Virtual Conference in October 2020. You can watch footage of some of these events below.
#SSBD2020 virtual conference – October 2020
Between 5-7 October, we held a virtual conference looking at the big questions facing public service broadcasting in the 2020s.
Through a series of panel discussions and interviews with senior figures across the broadcasting world, we examined what PSB needs to do to connect with audiences today, the role it plays in supporting diversity on- and off-screen, the contribution it makes to the UK’s creative industries and how a public service system can continue to be funded.
Over three days, producers, commissioners and commentators, alongside the leaders of the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITN, ITV, Ofcom and STV, told us what they thought the future held for public service broadcasting in the UK.
Watch the highlights
Watch the interviews and debates
We have created a video playlist for each day of the conference, with all of the interviews and debates available to watch back. Click on each day below to see that day's playlist.
If you wish to watch all the videos for a given day, simply press play and the sessions will follow each other in sequence. If you would like to watch a particular session, simply click the dropdown arrow at the top right of each day's playlist and select the session you'd like to view. This will then load in the video player.
Opening address from Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom CEO Melanie opened the event reflecting on what PSB delivers for audiences and society, as well as Ofcom’s aims for Small Screen: Big Debate
In conversation with June Sarpong In the first of our series of interviews with senior figures, the BBC’s Director of Creative Diversity June Sarpong talked to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about hardwiring diversity into the BBC and making public service content that connects with audiences.
Panel discussion: ‘Making Stories Count: The role of PSB in the creative industries’ In this session, Nina Hossain explores with Sara Geater (All 3 Media), Pat Younge (Cardiff Productions) and Richard Williams (Northern Ireland Screen) the changing role of public service broadcasting in the UK’s creative industries.
In conversation with John Whittingdale MP Minister of State for Media and Data, John Whittingdale MP spoke to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about his priorities for PSB in the future.
In conversation with Krishnendu Majumdar Emmy-winning producer and BAFTA Chair Krishnendu Majumdar talks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about the role public service broadcasting needs to play to maintain a successful and inclusive creative industry.
In conversation with Mark Thompson As a former Chief Executive of Channel 4, Director-General of the BBC and until this month CEO of The New York Times Company, Mark Thompson has led change across the media sector. He speaks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for public service broadcasting in the UK.
Panel discussion: ‘Show me the money: Funding PSB for the future’ In this session, chaired by Channel 4 News’ Cathy Newman, we’ll hear from Mathew Horsman (Mediatique), Rasmus Nielsen (The Reuters Institute) and Dame Frances Cairncross about the funding challenges facing PSBs and the different tools that could be used to overcome them.
In conversation with Simon Pitts Simon Pitts has been CEO of STV since January 2018. He talks to Krishnan Guru-Murthy about leading a commercial public service broadcaster during a period of unprecedented change.
Panel discussion: ‘Public service broadcasting – The view from the top' In this session, Adam Boulton asked the leaders of the UK’s largest public service broadcasters – Alex Mahon (Channel 4), Dame Carolyn McCall (ITV), Maria Kyriacou (Channel 5) and the BBC’s new Director-General, Tim Davie – what the future holds for public service broadcasting in the UK, the role they believe they can play and what needs to happen to ensure PSB delivers for audiences over the next decade.
Events across the UK
In November 2020, we hosted a virtual discussion to hear and share views from our stakeholders in Wales. A highlights video from this event will be available soon.
We have created a video playlist showing the highlights from some of the other events we have held over the course of the review. The videos cover the following topics:
What are some of the challenges PSBs are facing?
What are the benefits of public service broadcasting?
Do other providers, like Netflix, Sky, Amazon etc. provide the same benefits?
Some key thoughts from the Welsh perspective
How do you attract young people to PSB?
PSBs’ relationship with news
If you wish to watch all these videos, simply press play and they will follow each other in sequence. If you would like to watch a particular video, simply click the dropdown arrow at the top right of the playlist and select the video you'd like to view. This will then load in the video player.
