SBC recommends new publicly funded TV channel for Scotland

LONDON - The Scottish Broadcasting Commission has recommended that Scotland should have its own publicly funded digital television channel with an "extensive and innovative" online platform.

SBC recommends new publicly funded TV channel for Scotland

In a report published today, the independent inquiry team, set up 13 months ago by Scottish first minister Alex Salmond, said Scotland needs a new framework for broadcasting to take it through the transition period of digital switchover occurring in 2012.

The team made 22 recommendations in total, which also included the BBC and Channel 4 being forced to increase their respective production spends in Scotland in line with population breakdowns.

The creation of a new Scottish network, made up of a digital public service TV channel and online platform, should be licensed and given full regulatory support by Ofcom, the inquiry recommends.

The report, called Platform for Success, accused UK broadcasters of failing to service audiences in Scotland properly or spend enough money on Scottish programmes.

It has called for the BBC Trust and Executive to fulfil its commitment to use 8.6% of its programming budget in Scotland by the end of 2012 and maintain that level, in line with population share, as a minimum thereafter.

The BBC should also commit to transferring the management of one of its four national TV services to Scotland. BBC Radio Scotland's remit and funding should also be improved "in light of its unique cultural status".

The Commission said that Channel 4 should be forced to increase its production spending in Scotland to 8.6% as a condition of its public funding and also base one its commissioning departments in Scotland.

The report recommended that the responsibilities of Ofcom Scotland should increase and there should be a specific Scottish representative on the Ofcom Board at UK level.

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