question one- class case study

Has the power of mainstream media been challenged by the impact of digital technology? Focus on the BBC and Sky News

1. Has new and digital media had an impact upon ownership and control of the media institutions involved in your case study? Explain in detail and what exactly has changed.

The BBC (British Broadcasting Company) was founded on the 18^th October 1922, however, the first radio broadcast wasn’t until 14^th if November the same year which featured a news bulletin. Television news bulletins didn’t begin until 5^th July 1954, however the general public interest in the BBC as a news corporation did not begin until the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953, when an estimated 27 million viewed the programme in the UK. On the 9^th of November 1997 BBC 24 began allowing 24 hour non stop news coverage; this was to keep competitive against the BSKYB Sky News, which had been running since 1989.

BSKYB (British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC), is a British satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony company headquartered in London. Commonly known as ‘Sky’ it was formed in 1990 and is the largest pay-TV broadcaster in the UK with over 10 million subscribers. Sky news is a 24-hour, national British broadcaster, Sky news began in February 1989 as part of what was a four channel sky television service.

Both the BBC and Sky News have since adapted to present needs and gratifications of audiences by allowing access to its channels online. Convergence online is relevant in both institutions, however the BBC despite being a public funded company still remains the most popular out of the two due to not only mobile, television and internet, but its origin the radio. However BSkyB is accessible via Xbox following an online, hot spot digital media revolution, this allows it’s channels to be accessible via any digital media product such as iPad, SMART phone or laptop from almost anywhere worldwide.

It’s debatable as to whether BBC news or SKY news is more popular due to the consumers vary depending on accessibility and platforms. The BBC being funded publically by the television license for £145.50 per year, however they are currently debating whether to introduce a pay-per-view scheme to charge for individual programmes on iPlayer. However as BSkyB is a pay-TV service provider so this makes which media institution is more profitable.

BBC iPlayer introducing a pay-per-view scheme has potential to make the BBC lose some control of the media institution, however due to Levison enquiry BskyB has lost a fair amount of custom due to Rupert Murdoch. Many members of the general public have argued that BBC news is mess biased than Sky news, especially on the Levison enquiry due to Rupert Murdoch’s links to the institution. There is plenty of conspiracy theories and moral panic based around Rupert Murdoch which is making Sky lose popularity due to the amount of control Murdoch has on the media industry, however legislation may soon make his large ownership illegal which should make BskyB lose plenty of control of the media.