BBC Chairman Samir Shah sets out vision and priorities

BBC “This is a very British success story,” new chairman Samir Shah said Tuesday in Leeds, England, in his first public speech, outlining his vision for the future of British public broadcasting and his priorities for BBC.

But amid the rise of streaming, the chief executive also warned: “The fight continues.” He continued: “Action must be taken to ensure that public service broadcasters are future-ready, otherwise our very British success story will become part of our halcyon past.”

“Look at all this, it’s fantastic, isn’t it? This is good? Of course it is,” Shah began. “I would venture to guess that many of you have multiple subscriptions. Of course yes. From Slow horses To Stranger Thingsfrom Champions League football to Test Match cricket… My free time has been endlessly enriched by the opportunities now available to me.”

Shah said of OBO: “Of course, we must embrace and welcome the exciting possibilities of an on-demand world. But that doesn’t mean we can’t try to shape the choices people have in this new media landscape to benefit the public good.”

He voiced vital support for easy access to public service broadcasting on every platform, impressing the UK Government and regulator Ofcom with its outstanding position in implementing the new Media Act and a more forward-thinking approach to regulation.

“We need a regulatory system that allows Ofcom to support us and help us thrive in this rapidly changing world. Public service television needs to be able to move with more flexibility and pace,” he said, citing the speed of regulatory processes that often leave the BBC on the sidelines while Netflix, Disney or Amazon can move ahead.

His third goal is to protect ordinary citizens: “As chairman, I will engage with the PSB and talk to the government about what more can be done to ensure that the tax system and policy environment not only benefits the big players, but also supports learning and skills development. for the entire sector, in every part of the UK”

The 72-year-old questioned the “sense of almost constant government control over the BBC” and said no other country had anything like it. “Public service broadcasters are at the heart of our social and cultural life and are worth fighting for.”

He listed three reasons – economic, social and cultural – why CBOs are so important: “(They) have played a critical role in the growth of our world-class creative sector. Moreover, they support it,” Shah said. Taking to social media, he added: “From Channel 4’s mission to give a voice to marginalized communities and Radio 4’s ‘everyday village story,’ Archerson ITV Coronation StreetPublic service television has long reflected British society in all its diversity.”

“And thirdly, the cultural theme: PSBs have always shaped and influenced national debates. Not least by uniting the nation into one people, sharing a collective experience, whether in a state of outrage – Mr Bates v Post Officein joy when Andy Murray wins Wimbledon, or in sadness when Her Majesty the Queen dies.”

The Shah also approved the BBC’s permanent charter, bringing the company in line with other institutions such as the Bank of England or UK Sport. The current system means that the BBC’s royal charter is renewed every 10 years, with its next expiry in 2027.

He also made a thinly veiled reference to Huw Edwards scandal after a former BBC presenter was convicted of child sex offences: “Of course there were and are concerns about unacceptable behavior at the BBC. I and the BBC management take this issue very seriously and are committed to rooting out abuses of power. We’ve seen a lot of progress in recent years – and certainly much better since I started my career in television 30 years ago. However, there is still a feeling that powerful people are getting away with it.”