Is the BBC still relevant in today’s media landscape?

As a commanding media powerhouse for over a century, the BBC still holds its own in the media landscape thanks to its high viewership numbers, ability to adapt to the changing media landscape, and funding from the British state. 

Viewership-The BBC remains the most viewed media outlet in the UK, with its influence extending internationally through its Global service. BBC News itself has six million views per week in the UK, as opposed to Sky News's four million. The sheer number implies that the BBC is still a widespread news source for the general public despite new contenders in social media diversifying the media space.

BBC remains the most viewed media outlet in the UK

Adapting- With the media space shifting towards less traditional sites, the BBC has had to follow suit. BBC sounds and social media marketing are new shifts that have engendered an increased audience following. The growth of popular podcasts such as ‘The Americast’ and ‘You’re Dead To Me’, in combination with the changeover of senior journalists such as Laura Kunesberg and Clive Myrie, has allowed for a fresh phase for the network. 

Government-funded—In the minds of the general public, the BBC's government-funded nature indicates its ‘neutrality’ in news coverage and attention to verified information. News moderation is rigorous, and TV licensing fees aid in the corporation remaining neutral. Alongside its publicly funded status, it is safe to say that the BBC will not become irrelevant anytime soon.

Other platforms are increasingly becoming more relevant due to the shift of talent from the BBC to other organisations, the damage to its reputation caused by scandals and a certain work culture within the organisation.

Loss of journalists- The news market is partly shifting away from the BBC as senior journalists flee to set up shop elsewhere. Ex-BBC journalists such as Jon Sopell and Emily Maitlis have gone on to find incredibly successful podcasts such as ‘The News Agents’, or journalists have joined less rigid organisations such as Channel 4 or LBC. This loss of journalists has been due to many reasons, such as work culture issues and restrictions on the freedom of speech at the BBC.

For 16-24 year-olds, social media platforms are their primary news source

Media change- The growth of criticism of the BBC has expanded to its traditional broadcasting service. The fluidity of news through social media makes newspaper and broadcasting organisations like the BBC increasingly outdated. For 16-24-year-olds, social media platforms are their primary news source, with Instagram at 44%, signifying a clear shift for newer generations.

Reputation- Several scandals have plagued the BBC, especially for public opinion, shifting its reputation in the media landscape. Controversy surrounding the highest-paid news presenter, Huw Edwards, and the gender pay gap are the main contributors to losing trustworthiness. Since the BBC is a platform known to be trustworthy and reliable, such scandals directly threaten its relevance today and potentially for the future.