Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Mass media and social change in Britain, 1882–2004 - 4 The Thatcher…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 39.2: Mass media and social change in Britain, 1882–2004 - 4 The Thatcher governments and the media, 1979–90: The promotion of competition in broadcasting: the launch of Channel 4 in 1982; the growth of local and commercial radio.
Thatcher governments promoted broadcasting competition by launching Channel 4 in 1982 and expanding local and commercial radio.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Thatcher governments promoted broadcasting competition by launching Channel 4 in 1982 and expanding local and commercial radio. Channel 4 was established as a publicly owned, commercially funded publisher-broadcaster. It was required to innovate, cater to minority tastes, and commission content from independent producers, thereby increasing choice. In radio, the 1980s saw significant growth in Independent Local Radio (ILR) and commercial stations, building upon the end of the BBC's radio monopoly which had already occurred in 1973. These changes reflected a Thatcherite belief in market forces, yet public-service obligations were retained. The result was a more diverse broadcasting landscape, with students needing to evaluate the mixed consequences for programming quality and commercial pressures.
What earns the marks
- Explains the launch of Channel 4 in 1982 as a publisher-broadcaster with a specific remit to innovate and serve minority audiences.
- Describes how Channel 4 was funded by advertising but publicly owned, promoting competition and stimulating the independent production sector.
- Outlines the growth of local and commercial radio in the 1980s, noting the expansion of Independent Local Radio (ILR) stations across the UK.
- Assesses the significance of these developments for competition, diversity, and the balance between public service broadcasting and commercial pressures.
- Uses specific examples, such as Channel 4's early programming or the expansion of commercial radio networks, to illustrate arguments.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that Channel 4 was fully commercial and independent.
Put it right: Channel 4 was publicly owned and had a strict public-service remit, despite being funded by advertising.
Assuming the 1980s expansion of commercial radio broke the BBC's radio monopoly.
Put it right: The BBC's radio monopoly was already broken in 1973 with the launch of the first Independent Local Radio stations.
Claiming community radio was officially launched and licensed during the 1980s.
Put it right: While pirate radio existed, official community radio licensing did not begin until much later; focus on the growth of ILR and commercial radio in the 1980s.
Exam tips
- Link the launch of Channel 4 and the expansion of commercial radio to the broader Thatcherite aim of promoting market competition.
- Compare the unique model of Channel 4 with commercial radio to demonstrate an understanding of varied approaches to broadcasting competition.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 39.2: Mass media and social change in Britain, 1882–2004 - 4 The Thatcher governments and the media, 1979–90: The promotion of competition in broadcasting: the launch of Channel 4 in 1982; the growth of local and commercial radio. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In which year was Channel 4 launched as part of the promotion of competition in British broadcasting?
Listen
Thatcher governments promoted broadcasting competition by launching Channel 4 in 1982 and expanding local and commercial radio. Channel 4 was established as a publicly owned, commercially funded publisher-broadcaster. It was required to innovate, cater to minority tastes, and commission content from independent producers, thereby increasing choice. In radio, the 1980s saw significant growth in Independent Local Radio (ILR) and commercial stations, building upon the end of the BBC's radio monopoly which had already occurred in 1973. These changes reflected a Thatcherite belief in market forces, yet public-service obligations were retained. The result was a more diverse broadcasting landscape, with students needing to evaluate the mixed consequences for programming quality and commercial pressures. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the launch of Channel 4 in 1982 as a publisher-broadcaster with a specific remit to innovate and serve minority audiences. Describes how Channel 4 was funded by advertising but publicly owned, promoting competition and stimulating the independent production sector. Outlines the growth of local and commercial radio in the 1980s, noting the expansion of Independent Local Radio (ILR) stations across the UK. Assesses the significance of these developments for competition, diversity, and the balance between public service broadcasting and commercial pressures. A common slip: Stating that Channel 4 was fully commercial and independent. Instead, Channel 4 was publicly owned and had a strict public-service remit, despite being funded by advertising. Exam tip: Link the launch of Channel 4 and the expansion of commercial radio to the broader Thatcherite aim of promoting market competition.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Competition and choice in broadcasting
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Public-service broadcasting remit
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Commercial funding and advertising
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Local and commercial media expansion
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Competition and choice in broadcasting
- Promoted by the Thatcher governments through the launch of Channel 4 in 1982 and the growth of local and commercial radio.
- Public-service broadcasting remit
- Channel 4 was required to innovate, cater to minority tastes and commission content from independent producers, and public-service obligations were retained.
- Commercial funding and advertising
- Channel 4 was established as a publicly owned, commercially funded publisher-broadcaster, funded by advertising.
- Local and commercial media expansion
- The 1980s saw significant growth in Independent Local Radio and commercial stations, building on the end of the BBC's radio monopoly in 1973.
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