Introduction
The main broadcasters in the UK are:
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
- ITV
- Channel 4
- Channel 5
- Sky
- S4C
These broadcasters have mainstream In the media, flagship means the most important and high profile media text a company creates. channels and also cater for various The specific audience group a media text is aimed at. by offering a choice of more specialist channels:
- BBC4
- ITVBe
- More4
- 5 USA
Some channels are now very much A type or category of media text; TV, film, magazines, newspapers, websites and video games are all examples of genres. based. For example ITVBe tends to focus on celebrity lifestyle and reality television, whereas 5 USA focuses on American television drama and films.
Other channels are provided by organisations like Sky or Virgin which are A payment made, usually on a monthly basis, to a company to receive their content; this can be for TV services, films, newspapers, magazines or video games. based TV providers.
History
The first ever UK TV When a TV station broadcasts a media text, it is sometimes abbreviated to TX within media companies. was made by the BBC in 1932.
The BBC is a public service broadcaster.
This means that, in return for payment of a A compulsory payment made by households in the UK that own a TV, the money is used to finance the BBC., the BBC provide viewers with a service of programmes with wide appeal that are guaranteed to conform to its Public service broadcasting is for the benefit of the public and not just for profit or commercial gain; the BBC is a public service broadcaster in the UK. remit to 'inform, educate, and entertain.”
In 1955 ITV established themselves as the second British broadcaster.
ITV is a commercially funded broadcaster which means that it is financed by advertising Money made from a business..
Independent commercially funded broadcasters, including ITV and Channel 5, sell time slots for adverts.
The price of each advertising slot varies according to the day it goes out and the time.
The most expensive slots are during peak viewing times when audience figures are at their highest - this is generally between 6pm and 10.30pm.
Channel 4 sells advertising and also has a public service remit. In 2022, government discussions took place regarding the privatisation of Channel 4.
As of 2022 the UK has over 80 Digital television channels available without a subscription fee in the UK. TV channels, operated by public service broadcasters (eg the BBC) and independent commercial broadcasters.