The review will cover the BBC, ITV1, Channel 4, Five and S4C, and will start with a survey of the viewing preferences and attitudes of 6,000 households across the UK.
This first phase of research will include a study of how the needs of specific social and ethnic groups are met by the delivery of programmes that address education, culture and citizenship.
Ofcom will then look at evidence from the broadcasters on how they have met their public service obligations over the last five years, so the regulator can assess how well public service broadcasting is being delivered.
The final phase of the review will be public consultation seminars across the UK. The outcome of the entire consultation will feed into the government's review of the BBC's Charter in 2006.
Ed Richards, the Ofcom senior partner leading the project, said: "This will be an important review, which will objectively inform the future shape of British television. We want to place viewers and programmes at the heart of the review. We will consult widely, both formally and informally."
He added: "We know through existing research that people have strong opinions about what they think good television is. Our review aims to establish a clear view of what public service television is, and how it is best delivered, both today and in the future."
Ofcom will be the UK's new communications industry regulator when it assumes its powers at the end of 2003. Ofcom will inherit the duties of the five existing regulators it will replace -- the Broadcasting Standards Commission, the Independent Television Commission, Oftel, the Radio Authority and the Radiocommunications Agency.
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