Driving and Restraining Forces: Toward the Marketization of Broadcast News in the United Kingdom in the 1990s

Television news broadcasting evolved rapidly in the United Kingdom in the 1990s. All aspects of the newscast changed and broadcasting became properly marketized. There were clear societal driving and restraining forces at play in the UK during this time. Key driving forces, including competition, new technology, and American consultants spurred on television news development. Restraining forces, such as a resistance to change, money, unions and a fear of Americanization slowed down development. The 1991 Independent Television franchise auction and the privatization movement were both driving and restraining forces. Rich data were derived from primary sources, in particular archival material from the Frank N. Magid Associates European archives and in-depth interviews with Magid staff and UK journalists active in the 1990s.