Public service media (PSM) differ from commercial media companies in terms of their organizational purpose. While commercial media are primarily designed to maximize profits for their owners, PSM are designed to maximize utility for society. This fundamental difference has implications for what is considered a useful media technology or innovation, the process of how they are conceived and implemented, and more generally the paradigm of innovation. The chapter begins with a discussion of innovation within the specific context of a PSM organization and provides a literature review that addresses these specifics derived from the organizational goal or mode of operation in the organization. To further illustrate the specifics as well as the challenges and issues funk, an online content network run by two German PSM organizations is presented as an example. We discuss the challenge of how far concepts from commercial enterprises can be applied or need to be adapted either in the management or the regulation of PSM. Finally, we identify the remaining research gaps and make preliminary suggestions on how to fill them.
Studien finansierad med stöd av Wahlgrenska stiftelsen.