PSB Report: BBC, ITV react

Both the BBC and ITV have welcomed Ofcom's phase 2 report into the future of public service broadcasting, published earlier today.

A statement from the BBC read: "The BBC welcomes Ofcom's endorsement of a strong, independent, fully funded and public service focussed BBC as the cornerstone of public service broadcasting, and its support for a 10 year Charter funded by the licence fee.

"The BBC agrees that sustaining a plurality of PSBs is an important objective for the future of British broadcasting. Ofcom's proposed options for ensuring this plurality in the long term inevitably raises complex questions which we will engage with during their forthcoming consultation.

"Ofcom's findings will help inform the Charter Review process. The BBC is determined that what emerges from Charter Review is a strong BBC able to operate independent of government and with a clear and direct line of accountability to licence fee payers."

Charles Allen, ITV CEO, said: "We welcome Ofcom's findings, which match our support for a strong BBC and belief that it should continue to be the principal provider of Public Service Broadcasting in the UK, with ITV playing a valuable role in the ecology. We entirely agree with Ofcom's conclusion that ITV's key PSB contribution going forward should be the provision of high quality UK production and national, international and regional news. We are delighted that Ofcom have recognised the need to find a new funding model for commercial public service broadcasting post digital switchover and look forward to playing an active role in that debate."