The BBC and other major European public service networks have seen viewer engagement in their services dive by nearly a fifth in the past six years, an Ampere Analysis study revealed today.The consumer research shows public service media (PSM) linear and Video on Demand (BVoD) services have fallen by 15% in Europe’s largest markets — a damning statistic as they wrestle with ways to retain viewers in the face of global streamers.This was particularly prominent among younger age groups, which is another longstanding problem for PSM in Europe.Ampere’s report claimed “policy responses to changing audience patterns have seen public funding either plateau or fall,” limiting PSM groups’ ability to respond to competitive pressures. However, the BBC have seen “strong” adoption of their streaming services after investing heavily to expand their VoD platforms.The BBC’s iPlayer broke 7 billion views for the first time in 2022 and recorded several other records thanks to shows such as The Traitors and have market leading audience shares on linear, as well.The BBC is roughly flat on six years ago following a minor recovery through the first quarter of this year.Ampere said PSM faces “a difficult challenge in striking a balance between serving their traditional audience bases, attracting new viewers, and addressing the needs and interests of minority groups, while at the same time dealing with funding constraints caused by declining public TV revenue, budget cuts and austerity measures.” Combined with “intense competition from digital platforms,” this has limited many public services’ ability to invest in their own VoD services and programming.Ampere said increasing public service funding would offer a short-term fix and allow for more original TV shows and films to be made for digital services. Longer-term, it suggested implementing multi-year funding mechanisms, guaranteeing prominence and encouraging PSM to “foster ambitious strategic partnerships” as means to ensure their futures.
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