The BBC Trust's submission, on behalf of the BBC as a whole, to phase two of Ofcom's PSB review

The BBC Trust welcomes phase two of Ofcom's consultation on the future of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB). In this response the Trust is replying, as the BBC's sovereign body, on behalf of the whole BBC.

This response discusses the BBC Trust's view of the scale of the problems facing public service broadcasting. The Trust believes the BBC has a real role to play in delivering innovative solutions to the problems facing PSB.

Our challenge to the BBC Executive during phase one of Ofcom's review was to develop sustainable partnership proposals. The reason underlying this challenge is that sustainable and effective PSB in the long term will require a different approach. Solutions must work with the grain of market changes and aim to secure PSB by finding new sources of value, rather than simply reallocating existing funds. We believe that the right sustainable partnerships could offer a long-term, strategic solution to the problems facing PSB, based on the strengths of particular institutions, which are highly valued by audiences.

By leveraging the cornerstone role played by the BBC in broadcasting we are aiming to deliver potential benefits not only to the commercial PSBs but also the wider broadcasting sector, strengthening the UK's position as one of the world's strongest creative economies.

At the same time it is important that any solutions do not diminish the service to audiences provided by the BBC. Far from the idea of a BBC bearing gifts, looking for opportunities to work ever more closely in partnership with other broadcasters must represent a genuine shift in attitude. It also represents a significant opportunity to better deliver the public purposes and so deliver even great public value to audiences.

The Executive has published its proposed partnerships and the Trust is now open to views - particularly those from potential partners and others in the industry. You can read more about how the Trust will assess the Executive's proposals, and let us have your views, on the BBC Trust's website.