Communications industry regulator Ofcom has published
a review of children's television in the UK, and expressed concern about the decline in the volume of home-grown programming:
...the future provision of new UK-originated programming for children, particularly drama and factual, looks increasingly uncertain other than the BBC’s output. Investment in first-run original programming by the commercial Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) – ITV1, GMTV, Channel 4 and Five – has halved in real terms since 1998.
However, when homegrown programming is available, children tend to prefer it:
Children still strongly prefer programming made in the UK, the majority of which is commissioned by the Public Service Broadcasters. While UK children’s programmes accounted for 17% of total children’s hours, they delivered a 38% share of viewing.
Concluding that "the public purposes for children’s programming are not fully being met in some areas", Ofcom has invited responses to the review. Comments must be submitted by 20 December 2007.
For those of you who haven't already done so, could you please sign the petition below, to Save Children's TV, and also send it round to get as many signatures as you can? Watching homegrown British children's TV (as opposed to a diet of American-orientated shows and Japanese cartoons) is important to our children's sense of identity, national pride and themselves... not to mention work for our writers. It's good business for Britain too; look at Dr. Who and Harry Potter. Both have spawned huge industries which bring millions of pounds into Britain. Get signing. Every name helps!
ReplyDeleteGail Renard
Chair of the WGGB TV Committee
Sorry! It'd help if I left the link!
ReplyDeleteWe the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ensure that UK children have access to a wider range of high quality, UK-made public service kids' television programmes that reflect the rich diversity of UK culture.
Click on this link.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/kidstelevision