Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Public Service Media: A Singular Case Study in Europe

Authors

  • Jessica Izquierdo-Castillo University Jaume I
  • Juan Carlos Miguel-de-Bustos University of Basque Country

Keywords:

public service media, convergence, media ecosystem, public service broadcasting, public television

Abstract

Technological convergence has forced television networks to reinvent themselves as multiplatform online distribution media, which may lead such networks to question the utility of the public media system and its financing models. At the same time, a global economic crisis caused budget cuts for public service broadcasters, forcing the closure of some of them. First, it was the Greek ERT in June 2013. The same year, in November, a regional Spanish public television was closed as well; this was also due to political decisions. This article presents a study of the reopening of this regional Spanish Public Service Media (PSM) in 2018. This is a singular case in Europe, as it was the first PSM that was conceived from the outset as a convergent media network. The results show many challenges related to political action, which reveal the need for an effective governance system that can provide PSM that are neutral and independent.

Author Biographies

Jessica Izquierdo-Castillo, University Jaume I

Associate ProfessorDepartment of Sciences of Communication+34 964 729 516

Juan Carlos Miguel-de-Bustos, University of Basque Country

ProfessorDepartment of Media and Advertising+34 946 015 229

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Published

2021-01-14

Issue

Vol. 15 (2021)

Section

Articles

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