2009 MacTaggart Lecture in Edinburgh by James Murdoch

The transcript discusses the rise of paid television in the UK, highlighting its growth independent of public policy and its appeal to consumers accustomed to paying for quality content. It covers the expansion of content offerings and technological innovations by private broadcasters like Sky. The text also critiques the extensive regulation in UK broadcasting, which limits creative opportunities and affects the commercial viability of news programming. The impact of advertising regulations is also examined, illustrating challenges faced by broadcasters.

What has driven the growth of pay television in the UK?

• Increased advertising

• Consumer choice

• Government policies

• Public service broadcasting

Which company is noted for investing over a billion pounds annually in UK content?

• ITV

• BBC

• Sky

• Channel 4

What is one of the major challenges faced by private broadcasters in the UK?

• State-funded intervention

• Limited content variety

• High production costs

• Lack of audience

How often does Ofcom publish a broadcasting bulletin?

• Every week

• Once a year

• Once a month

• Two or three times a month

What is a consequence of the latest EU rules on advertising scheduling?

• Easier content regulation

• Increased ad revenue

• More ad breaks in news programming

• Reduced commercial viability of news broadcasting