Media Industries
Media Studies: Eduqas GCSE, topic 4.4.3
Man Like Mobeen - Media Industries
The television industry has changed due to digital technology. Man Like Mobeen and BBC have adapted the way they make, promote, and deliver programmes to meet new audience habits.
Production
- Man Like Mobeen was produced for the BBC by Tiger Aspect.
- Tiger Aspect is owned by Endemol Shine UK, which is part of a large global media conglomerate.
- During Series 3, the team recruited eight working-class trainees from Birmingham, aiming to give people from underrepresented backgrounds access to the television industry.
- This shows how the production team and organisations involved in the production of television programmes support local talents.
Origins of the show
- The character of Mobeen first appeared in short online videos by Guz Khan while he was working as a teacher in Coventry.
- His 2015 short film Roadman Ramadan, made for BBC Comedy Shorts, increased his visibility.
- Khan secured a radio slot on BBC Asian Network and wrote a pilot episode for BBC Three’s Comedy Slices.
- The pilot was successful, so in 2016, BBC Three commissioned a four-episode series of Man Like Mobeen.
Media convergence and distribution
- In 2016, BBC Three became an online-only service, so Man Like Mobeen was originally available only on BBC iPlayer.
- After six years online, BBC Three returned to linear broadcast television on 1 February 2022.
- It now broadcasts daily from 19:00 to 04:00, sharing frequency with CBBC.
- Audiences can also access the series across multiple digital platforms, including Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
- This illustrates how convergence expands audience reach.
Funding models
- The BBC uses a public service broadcasting model.
- It is funded by a licence fee and has a remit to inform, educate, and entertain.
- This funding model gives the BBC greater freedom, as it is less driven by ratings and profit.
- It allows the BBC to produce diverse comedy series like Man Like Mobeen.
- However, the government still influences the corporation because it sets the licence fee.
- There is an ongoing debate about whether the licence fee should continue.
Regulation
- The BBC Board ensures the BBC fulfils its mission as stated in the Royal Charter.
- The Royal Charter sets the organisation’s purpose and is reviewed periodically.
- The current charter runs from January 2017 to December 2027.
- The BBC is externally regulated by Ofcom.
- They publish standards that broadcasters must follow, including rules on harm, offence, fairness, and accuracy.
- This ensures that the BBC continues to meet its responsibilities as a public service broadcaster.
Test yourself on Media Industries
Who produced Man Like Mobeen for the BBC?
Which two organisations regulate or oversee the BBC?
On which platform was Man Like Mobeen originally available when BBC Three went online-only?