House of Commons - Culture, Media and Sport - Fourth Report

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House of Commons

Session 1997-98
Publications on the internet
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Reports

Culture, Media and Sport - Fourth Report

Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 6 May 1998.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Terms of Reference

VOLUME I (HC 520-I)

I. INTRODUCTION

II. CHANGING
The concept of convergence
Digital television
(i) Introduction
(ii) Digital terrestrial television
(iii) Digital satellite television
(iv) Digital cable television
(v) Destination or staging post?
Interactivity and the Internet
(i) Interactive television
(ii) The Internet
The TV set, the PC and home technology
Transmission systems
(i) Introduction
(ii) Cable
(iii) MVDS
(iv) The telecommunications network
(v) Geo-stationary orbit satellites
(vi) Some future possibilities
(vii) Conclusions
Digital radio

III. PUBLIC POLICY
Potentiality and the public interest
Competition policy, law and regulation
Content provision
(i) Changing technologies and the primacy of content
(ii) The BBC
(iii) ITV
(iv) Channel 4
(v) S4C
(vi) Channel 5
(vii) Satellite and cable broadcasters
(viii) Independent production
(ix) Commercial radio
(x) Conclusions
Content regulation
(i) The Internet
(ii) Television
(iii) Conclusions
Universal access
(i) The principle of universal access
(ii) Analogue switch-off
(iii) Universal access in the digital age

IV. PUBLIC STRUCTURES
Machinery of Government
Regulatory structures
(i) Introduction
(ii) The case for change
(iii) Proposals for change
(iv) Our recommendations
Parliament and public policy
Conclusion

SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

ANNEX 1: GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS USED IN THE REPORT

ANNEX 2: LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ANNEX 3: ORGANISATIONS/INDIVIDUALS WHO GAVE ORAL EVIDENCE DURING THE INQUIRY

ANNEX 4: VISITS AND PRESENTATIONS DURING THE INQUIRY

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE RELATING TO THE REPORT

LIST OF WITNESSES

LIST OF MEMORANDA INCLUDED IN THE MINUTES OF EVIDENCE

LIST OF APPENDICES TO THE MINUTES OF EVIDENCE

© Parliamentary copyright 1998
Prepared 22 May 1998