Warning: Jowell

As the TV digital age dawns, the BBC can expect to be more regulated than any other broadcaster, the culture secretary has warned.

In a speech to broadcasters, Tessa Jowell declared that "Labour's agenda to reform the public services applies just as much to public service broadcasting as it does to the health service or education".

"Because just as schools and hospitals are essential components of a civilised society, so is PSB. National culture, national democracy, need PSB a nation can trust," she said on Tuesday.

She said that corporation chiefs should seek new audiences rather than chasing ratings.

Warning media bosses that public service broadcasting "is not a heritage phrase - it is not the costume drama of broadcasting" Jowell was adamant that the sector would face tougher regulation than commercial stations.

"Public service broadcasting is a straightforward contract: the state offers certain privileges to some channels, and in return each channel provides something of worth beyond that which the market alone would provide," she maintained.

"But being a public service broadcaster is not a licence to compete, unfettered, with all those commercial services which have to fight in the marketplace without any protection from the state."

Explaining that the BBC's unique licence-fee funding brought extra responsibilities, the culture secretary indicated that the corporation could expect "stringent" regulation as the number and range of digital channels mushroomed.

"The BBC is loved by viewers and listeners worldwide, but of all the public service broadcasters, the BBC is the most privileged and for that reason it should be regulated more stringently," she said.

"Quite simply, the more public privileges the broadcaster receives, the tougher it will be regulated."

She said the DCMS's long awaited draft Communications Bill will contain "a new hierarchy of public service obligations".

Rebutting "myths" that the corporation will not be face scrutiny by a new media regulator, Jowell said that "much of what the BBC does will be policed by Ofcom".

"It will also continue to keep their unique system of regulation by the governors. Not because their burden should be light, but because it should be the heaviest," she said.

Jowell also cautioned the BBC over growing concerns that a ratings war could lead to a "dumbing down" of programme quality.

"High share for good programmes is not a problem, but ratings are not the sole test for the BBC," she said.

"A new service funded by a universal fee needs to reach as many people as possible. The BBC will ultimately be judged on quality, innovation, the ability to challenge, the desire to take risks and the ability to make the market, not follow it. It should not fail on these and use ratings as the excuse."