EPGs have value in both economic and cultural policy terms. Economically they can support well placed channels, by facilitating audience access. Culturally they can support easy access to culturally valued content such as PSB content and UK-originated content in news, current affairs, children’s television, documentaries and quality drama.
Current legislation and regulation requires that Public Service Broadcasting channels (PSBs) receive ‘appropriate prominence’ in linear EPGs, but without defining ‘appropriate prominence’. What constitutes ‘appropriate prominence’ is debated, and consequently differently interpreted on different broadcast platforms.
With both changes in technology and policy priorities, Technologia was asked to reassess the role of EPGs in the context of the Government’s core TV broadcasting policy objectives. A key issue was how to define and measure the prominence given to the channels near the top of EPGs, and how to regulate the system which gives EPG prominence to PSB channels. The project involved i2media Ltd and an ex-government economist. The report is published on the DCMS website.
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For further details, please contact Mick McLean, Managing Director of Technologia on +44 7976 257197 or e-mail info@technologia.co.uk
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