Of course you would. Film Jamaica Inn, or at least part of it, in Yorkshire. Especially when you've got the backing of Screen Yorkshire, and their Yorkshire Content Fund, with £7.5m of European Regional Development Funding burning a hole in their pocket.
The same source helped with money for the Birmingham setting of Peaky Blinders.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Just give
The legendary BBC radio and tv chat producer Ian Gardhouse used to carry a piece of paper, listing over 100 potential chat show hosts, with two columns alongside. Each fell into one of two categories: 1: Why they wouldn't do it.... or 2: Why you couldn't hire them... The paper was waved with regularity at bosses who felt we weren't trying hard enough on trying new talent.
It's reassuring to know that the Radio Academy is ploughing on with awards in 2014, but, to keep the event in the style to which it has become accustomed, a big masthead sponsor is sorely needed, after Sony pulled out. However the list of potential angels is not unlike the Gardhouse paper.
The biggest spender on radio advertising is currently Sky, with a running 12 month total to July of £17.5m. Running second - some considerable way behind - is British Gas, on close to £9m. Then comes ASDA, Morrison's and Talktalk. By sector, "motors" are the main investors in radio ads, at £97.5m; electronics and household appliances (presumably including radios) come 15th, spending £8.5m.
There are, of course, some long standing radio advertisers. Can you imagine the Carphone Warehouse Academy Awards? Or indeed, the Autoglass Awards? A big task ahead for new Academy CEO Paul Robinson.
It's reassuring to know that the Radio Academy is ploughing on with awards in 2014, but, to keep the event in the style to which it has become accustomed, a big masthead sponsor is sorely needed, after Sony pulled out. However the list of potential angels is not unlike the Gardhouse paper.
The biggest spender on radio advertising is currently Sky, with a running 12 month total to July of £17.5m. Running second - some considerable way behind - is British Gas, on close to £9m. Then comes ASDA, Morrison's and Talktalk. By sector, "motors" are the main investors in radio ads, at £97.5m; electronics and household appliances (presumably including radios) come 15th, spending £8.5m.
There are, of course, some long standing radio advertisers. Can you imagine the Carphone Warehouse Academy Awards? Or indeed, the Autoglass Awards? A big task ahead for new Academy CEO Paul Robinson.
Marcella Hazan
The woman who taught America to cook Italian food, and never actually wrote in English, has died. Marcella Hazan, whose books are comprehensive, simple and inspiring, died on Sunday in Florida, aged 89.
She came to New York in 1955, learned the language by watching tv and following the Brooklyn Dodgers - and taught herself to cook. Her first collection of recipes was published in 1973, written down in Italian and translated by her husband.
Everyone needs at least one of her books on their shelves; I've taken great pleasure in The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. Here's a link to a good NYT obit.
She came to New York in 1955, learned the language by watching tv and following the Brooklyn Dodgers - and taught herself to cook. Her first collection of recipes was published in 1973, written down in Italian and translated by her husband.
Everyone needs at least one of her books on their shelves; I've taken great pleasure in The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. Here's a link to a good NYT obit.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
TV design
No 1 in an occasional series of alternative distracting backgrounds for BBC News bulletins. This features Gina Lollobrigida as Sheba, in a steamy dance scene from King Vidor's 1959 oeuvre, Solomon and Sheba, which I saw twice at the Plaza in Bangor, aged 9. Stayed with me....
8.25 Chepstow
Atlantis emerged from the green screens of a former Tesco cold-store in Chepstow - and did quite well for BBC1 last night. 5.6m viewers for what really should be a tea-time show, against 7.8m for the X-Factor's dubious jeopardy innovation of six-chairs-makes-for-more-tears.
Atlantis, born from Merlin, didn't quite outstrip its begetter, which scored 6.6m for its first episode - against 9.6m for the X-Factor - in 2008.
Strictly averaged 9.2m.
There are 12 more Atlantis stories to come. By the end, Jack Donnelly, as Jason, morphs into Steve Punt, of the Now Show...
Atlantis, born from Merlin, didn't quite outstrip its begetter, which scored 6.6m for its first episode - against 9.6m for the X-Factor - in 2008.
Strictly averaged 9.2m.
There are 12 more Atlantis stories to come. By the end, Jack Donnelly, as Jason, morphs into Steve Punt, of the Now Show...
Men v machines
Did we mention there were occasionally problems with the robotic cameras at BBC News ? Try this, featuring the ineffable Aaron and Nik "Ron" Gowing, on BBC World. Apologies for the ad - it's a short skip.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Extras
"What can I do if they're all picking their noses behind me ?"
Rush for the doors as Fiona starts last night....
Rush for the doors as Fiona starts last night....
Friday, September 27, 2013
Financial planning
“Our fiduciary mindset as an asset manager is to help clients navigate the complexities of investing as they plan for retirement, save for education costs and sidestep the pitfalls inherent in volatile markets. Stephanie’s experience and objective approach uniquely qualify her for doing this,” said George Gatch, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Global Funds Management, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, a trading name of J.P.Morgan Asset Management Marketing Ltd, part of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
It looks like Stephanie Flanders has made essentially an investment decision to move from the BBC after eleven years; she will at least have trebled her salary, and there will undoubtedly be further perks now frowned on at Auntie. She has two children with the possibility of considerable "education costs" still in front of them, and a freelance journalist husband. She'll have to bash across from W6 occasionally to HQ, based in the brutalist Finsbury Dials, but joins a small team, one suspects as an extra - there's no record of a previous Chief Market Strategist, UK and Europe. But then JP Morgan, the biggest bank in the States by assets, can probably afford an extra post or two, whereas the BBC's Business Unit is looking for 20% cuts over five years.
It is enormously worrying for the BBC that key staff, who know what they are talking about, feel other employers are now more attractive. In recent moves, Matt Frei, Jackie Long, Michael Crick, Liz McKean and Paul Mason have gone. James Harding will want to make a good signing to replace Stephanie. I've already been lobbied to mention Jenny Scott, once BBC Economics correspondent, and occasional sidekick to Andrew Neil, now working as an advisor to the Governor of the Bank of England...
It looks like Stephanie Flanders has made essentially an investment decision to move from the BBC after eleven years; she will at least have trebled her salary, and there will undoubtedly be further perks now frowned on at Auntie. She has two children with the possibility of considerable "education costs" still in front of them, and a freelance journalist husband. She'll have to bash across from W6 occasionally to HQ, based in the brutalist Finsbury Dials, but joins a small team, one suspects as an extra - there's no record of a previous Chief Market Strategist, UK and Europe. But then JP Morgan, the biggest bank in the States by assets, can probably afford an extra post or two, whereas the BBC's Business Unit is looking for 20% cuts over five years.
It is enormously worrying for the BBC that key staff, who know what they are talking about, feel other employers are now more attractive. In recent moves, Matt Frei, Jackie Long, Michael Crick, Liz McKean and Paul Mason have gone. James Harding will want to make a good signing to replace Stephanie. I've already been lobbied to mention Jenny Scott, once BBC Economics correspondent, and occasional sidekick to Andrew Neil, now working as an advisor to the Governor of the Bank of England...
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Keep the faith
Paul Mason, Newsnight's economics editor, has now left the building - with a fine farewell documentary on Northern Soul, complete with some dodgy dancing, 24 first-rate tracks, and unposed questions about Paul's possible use of diet pills.
He's also filmed a valedictory interview for the BBC's journalists to mull over - this is an edited transcript of his final thoughts on how things have changed during his twelve years with Auntie.
A more diverse set of people now get to be editorial leaders. But the organisation can still feel like it is set up to be led by a kind of patrician elite. There can be a jarring sometimes between newer, younger editorial management and the way the organisation responds to commands and requests. The danger sometimes is that the signals that come from the top are “don’t mess up,” (sometimes put a bit more forcefully), whereas the signals should be from the outside world, saying “you’re not ordinary enough, you’re not believable enough, you’re not innovating enough.”
If I said one thing on leaving this building, it would be: become more receptive to those signals.
He's also filmed a valedictory interview for the BBC's journalists to mull over - this is an edited transcript of his final thoughts on how things have changed during his twelve years with Auntie.
A more diverse set of people now get to be editorial leaders. But the organisation can still feel like it is set up to be led by a kind of patrician elite. There can be a jarring sometimes between newer, younger editorial management and the way the organisation responds to commands and requests. The danger sometimes is that the signals that come from the top are “don’t mess up,” (sometimes put a bit more forcefully), whereas the signals should be from the outside world, saying “you’re not ordinary enough, you’re not believable enough, you’re not innovating enough.”
If I said one thing on leaving this building, it would be: become more receptive to those signals.
We have the photos
The BBC Public Affairs team took to Twitter at the Labour Party conference to show photos of MPs visiting their stand. It looks like a "premium" 3 x 4 stand, cost £13,100. Then there's some people needed to populate the stand and take the snaps, and their hotel costs.
Here's a selection of their work. There are many other photos that should be taken into consideration. Charter renewal looks a certainty, Jim, as long as Ed comes through...
Here's a selection of their work. There are many other photos that should be taken into consideration. Charter renewal looks a certainty, Jim, as long as Ed comes through...
More menus
Yet more food options on the way at MediaCityUK. Next month, Penelope's Kitchen will open in The Pie Factory, brought to you by the people who make Penelope's Ice Cream in Spinningfields, and who operate
burger-bar-in-a-container DockGrill on the piazza. Penelope's Kitchen, a New York-inspired diner, comes with support from The Prince's Trust.
Meanwhile, Peel would like to remind you investors out there that it has (at least) five sites at MediaCityUK with ready-made designs and planning permission just waiting for you to sign a cheque....
Meanwhile, Peel would like to remind you investors out there that it has (at least) five sites at MediaCityUK with ready-made designs and planning permission just waiting for you to sign a cheque....
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Flying tonight
John Simpson's co-workers will be glued to the tv tonight for World Editor's edition of Who Do You Think You Are? - if only to clock the air miles.
According to programme trails, John wishes to clarify the story of his "great grandfather", Samuel Cody, Buffalo Bill-rip-off artist and aviator. Except that Samuel Franklin Cowdery, his real name, never actually married John's great grandmother, had no children with her, and a battle over his will gave the estate to his previous American family. Still, it might be worth a stateside trip to make sure...
Down another line, John finds that great-great grandad John King was landlord of the Queen's Head in Chelsea. This has been a predominantly gay pub since the 1950s - will John be seen at the bar ?
0845 Thursday update: Fair play to John - no overseas budgets were damaged in the making of this programme. And he went to the pub, but it was empty.
According to programme trails, John wishes to clarify the story of his "great grandfather", Samuel Cody, Buffalo Bill-rip-off artist and aviator. Except that Samuel Franklin Cowdery, his real name, never actually married John's great grandmother, had no children with her, and a battle over his will gave the estate to his previous American family. Still, it might be worth a stateside trip to make sure...
Down another line, John finds that great-great grandad John King was landlord of the Queen's Head in Chelsea. This has been a predominantly gay pub since the 1950s - will John be seen at the bar ?
0845 Thursday update: Fair play to John - no overseas budgets were damaged in the making of this programme. And he went to the pub, but it was empty.
Autumn leaves
An acknowledgement last night from Paxo on Newsnight that the "conservatory" set for the previous edition might not have been an unalloyed success.
"If you were watching last night - if you could see through the rain forest which our Australian director imagines to be what a conservatory looks like...." (11.16 in on iPlayer)
"If you were watching last night - if you could see through the rain forest which our Australian director imagines to be what a conservatory looks like...." (11.16 in on iPlayer)
Twas ever thus...
I'm grateful to a Facebook friend for reminding me of how John Birt left the BBC. Greg Dyke had already been appointed to replace him, and Birt reached agreement with the Governors, led by Sir Christopher Bland, to leave two months before the end of the financial year, 2000. For this, he received a termination payment of £328k, "calculated in line with BBC policy for all staff", which had us all snorting at the time. His pension pot was enhanced by £489k (to deliver a pension of £130k p.a.), and there was a further money purchase of £50k. In all, £867,000 to go.
Using the Bank of England inflation calculator from 2000 to 2012, equivalent to £1,248,671.62p.
(Birt's salary for his final ten months in post was £276k, and he received a bonus payment so £159k, and benefits of £21k).
Using the Bank of England inflation calculator from 2000 to 2012, equivalent to £1,248,671.62p.
(Birt's salary for his final ten months in post was £276k, and he received a bonus payment so £159k, and benefits of £21k).
Voice mail
I think I've spotted a new low for Piers Morgan's CNN show - this Monday's edition, a ragbag of Al-Shabaab experts and John McCain's daughter, returned a figure of just 52,000 in the US 25-to-54 age range.
This may not entirely be Piers' fault - and probably has more to do with a barnstorming new series opener from the American version of The Voice, on NBC, which attracted nearly 15 million viewers, 5 million aged between 18 and 49. Danny Cohen and Charlotte Moore at the BBC will be asking for tapes, and hoping to sprinkle some stardust on the UK series 3, starting in January.
This may not entirely be Piers' fault - and probably has more to do with a barnstorming new series opener from the American version of The Voice, on NBC, which attracted nearly 15 million viewers, 5 million aged between 18 and 49. Danny Cohen and Charlotte Moore at the BBC will be asking for tapes, and hoping to sprinkle some stardust on the UK series 3, starting in January.
Tender spot
Try telling a hack that you're about to change their computer system and watch their face. The BBC, bloodied over DMI, has fearlessly gone out to tender for a new newsroom system, which might cost, at the top end, £104m (that includes a charge for looking after it for a minimum of eight years). Even without ongoing support, the BBC estimates the lowest price as £18m (excluding VAT).
This project has had a longer gestatory period than a black alpine salamander. The BBC currently uses a system called ENPS (Electronic News Production System) developed by AP Broadcast, part of the American Associated Press. It was introduced first in 1997 - uncomfortably for many radio programme makers, as they moved unwillingly from Broadcasting House to Television Centre. Over the years it has grown into one of the biggest systems in the world, with some 11,000 users in 300 different BBC bases.
How many users will there be for the new system? Business case templates in the BBC have a big space you have to fill in about "return on investment". Huge claims were made for DMI in terms of future savings. Hacks, including James Harding, will be interested to know what figures have been put in this document.
This project has had a longer gestatory period than a black alpine salamander. The BBC currently uses a system called ENPS (Electronic News Production System) developed by AP Broadcast, part of the American Associated Press. It was introduced first in 1997 - uncomfortably for many radio programme makers, as they moved unwillingly from Broadcasting House to Television Centre. Over the years it has grown into one of the biggest systems in the world, with some 11,000 users in 300 different BBC bases.
How many users will there be for the new system? Business case templates in the BBC have a big space you have to fill in about "return on investment". Huge claims were made for DMI in terms of future savings. Hacks, including James Harding, will be interested to know what figures have been put in this document.
- Another entertaining BBC computer system is called Mosart. This, amongst other things, controls the raptor-like automated cameras that skitter around the main BBC News studios. Or not, on some occasions - many listed on this forum. It's one reason poor old Simon McCoy had to stand there for so long holding a ream of photocopier paper in full shot. The studio director had no option to, say, zoom in further while he quietly dropped the paper, or change shot - if it's not in the pre-prepared template, it won't happen.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Katz eyes problem
Trying too hard on things that don't matter. Ian Katz and his top team clearly spend quite some time every day seeking visual excitement for Newsnight, and lack judgement on quality, impact and value. It may be fun charging round Plumpton looking for a giant conservatory to make a one-off sight gag, but I worry about the man-hours and hire charges spent lighting the thing and de-rigging. It even failed to stimulate Paxo at the start, and I feel sure we'd have got a more forensic Damian McBride interview in a more conventional setting. Later in the same show, Mark Urban, left in London, was standing in the worst virtual reality set I've seen on screen, getting nowhere near explaining what was happening in the Westgate Mall in Nairobi.
The conservatory set came after the pipes and mock vote on the Union Bridge, hosted by Kirsty Wark. It feels like the early days of Nationwide, when young tyro producers would vy with each other to get the biggest piece of meaningless kit into the lifts at Lime Grove to put on the set for some bootless item - tanks, elephants, dead trees etc.
Strong interviews, well-made films and inventively-cast discussions are what makes a good Newsnight. Forget the slash and glitter, please.
The conservatory set came after the pipes and mock vote on the Union Bridge, hosted by Kirsty Wark. It feels like the early days of Nationwide, when young tyro producers would vy with each other to get the biggest piece of meaningless kit into the lifts at Lime Grove to put on the set for some bootless item - tanks, elephants, dead trees etc.
Strong interviews, well-made films and inventively-cast discussions are what makes a good Newsnight. Forget the slash and glitter, please.
Competition time
Some odds and ends from an interesting review of BBC output for children by the BBC Trust. It's moderately upbeat. I'm guilty of picking out some uncomfortable bits.
CBBC...has been overtaken by Disney as the most watched children’s channel in satellite and cable homes.
None of the children who responded to the consultation question on what radio programmes they listened to mentioned Radio 4 Extra [which has a weekday show at 4pm aimed at them]
2.1 million children watch BBC One and BBC Two each week but do not currently watch either CBeebies or CBBC [was it right to take tea-time output off BBC1 and 2 ?]
First-run originated hours on the PSB channels reduced by 51% from 2006 to 2011. The BBC’s reduction of children’s programming was 46% over the period. [a lot less new to watch]
In 2012-2013, CBBC’s average weekly reach fell by around 150,000 while CITV’s reach held stable at around 1 million viewers each week after steady increases in recent years. Milkshake’s performance has been steadily increasing in recent years and, within its dedicated morning slot on Channel 5, continues to be CBeebies’ strongest competitor.
One in three 8-15 year olds (34%) with a mobile phone, who watch television and who go online at home, also say they undertake some form of crossmedia multi-tasking ‘most times’ when using these media.
CBBC...has been overtaken by Disney as the most watched children’s channel in satellite and cable homes.
None of the children who responded to the consultation question on what radio programmes they listened to mentioned Radio 4 Extra [which has a weekday show at 4pm aimed at them]
2.1 million children watch BBC One and BBC Two each week but do not currently watch either CBeebies or CBBC [was it right to take tea-time output off BBC1 and 2 ?]
First-run originated hours on the PSB channels reduced by 51% from 2006 to 2011. The BBC’s reduction of children’s programming was 46% over the period. [a lot less new to watch]
In 2012-2013, CBBC’s average weekly reach fell by around 150,000 while CITV’s reach held stable at around 1 million viewers each week after steady increases in recent years. Milkshake’s performance has been steadily increasing in recent years and, within its dedicated morning slot on Channel 5, continues to be CBeebies’ strongest competitor.
One in three 8-15 year olds (34%) with a mobile phone, who watch television and who go online at home, also say they undertake some form of crossmedia multi-tasking ‘most times’ when using these media.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Discount
The BBC likes to remind us that it has "a policy of discounting senior manager salaries against the
commercial market by between 20% and 80%."
I was musing over this and discovered a document called the Hudson HR 2012 Salary Guide for the UK. They have a page devoted to HR pay for those working in media and technology companies in London. Here's the salary ranges they report (admittedly without bonuses), and some current BBC HR pay levels - click to go large. (See what I did there ?)
I was musing over this and discovered a document called the Hudson HR 2012 Salary Guide for the UK. They have a page devoted to HR pay for those working in media and technology companies in London. Here's the salary ranges they report (admittedly without bonuses), and some current BBC HR pay levels - click to go large. (See what I did there ?)
New muesli time
A year on from the most recent Daybreak Aled Jones/Lorraine Kelly re-launch, rumours of change are in the air again. Ratings are very variable - up a little some days, occasionally close to the 1 million mark, but more often hovering around the 600,000 that saw the end of Chiles and Bleakley. BBC Breakfast from Salford sails on around and above 1.5m.
As ever in these stories, the return of Eamonn Holmes is mentioned. Someone should ask for details on how he's improved the breakfast figures at Sky (or not).
The new boss of ITV Daytime, Helen Warner, who arrived in June, is going to have to make some decisions. Warner has had a break from tv production, writing "RSVP
(Four women, one wedding), IOU
(Three women, three secrets) and still writing "With or Without You" (Martha Mills has it all: a high-profile, highly-paid job as a showbiz interviewer for a major national newspaper; a happy marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Jamie, who is a house-husband, looking after their two adorable, well-adjusted children; and a beautiful home.... 85,000 words to go.) She was Channel 4 head of daytime for five years, where she commissioned Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals, minded Deal or No Deal, and moved Come Dine With Me into peak time.
Before joining C4, she was at ITV launching daytime talk show Loose Women, and is also a former editor of This Morning. Her husband, Rob, is a session singer, most recently on this ad.
As ever in these stories, the return of Eamonn Holmes is mentioned. Someone should ask for details on how he's improved the breakfast figures at Sky (or not).
The new boss of ITV Daytime, Helen Warner, who arrived in June, is going to have to make some decisions. Warner has had a break from tv production, writing "RSVP
(Four women, one wedding), IOU (Three women, three secrets) and still writing "With or Without You" (Martha Mills has it all: a high-profile, highly-paid job as a showbiz interviewer for a major national newspaper; a happy marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Jamie, who is a house-husband, looking after their two adorable, well-adjusted children; and a beautiful home.... 85,000 words to go.) She was Channel 4 head of daytime for five years, where she commissioned Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals, minded Deal or No Deal, and moved Come Dine With Me into peak time.
Before joining C4, she was at ITV launching daytime talk show Loose Women, and is also a former editor of This Morning. Her husband, Rob, is a session singer, most recently on this ad.Sensitive
As we head towards the last appearance of the BBC Big Band Special on Radio 2 tonight, the Tory MP for Reading East, and Daily-Mail-go-to-guy-for-outrage. Rob Wilson has appeared on the scene.
He wrote to Radio 2's Lewis Carnie, asking how much money was involved, axing the show after 34 years. Lewis, perhaps unwisely, wrote back thus "Due to the sensitive commercial nature of our budgets, I’m afraid I am unable to go in to detail about the exact monetary cuts and savings that will be made."
Rob duly froths "I am surprised to learn that the BBC considers that the budget for the Big Band’s activities to be commercially sensitive. The BBC is not a commercial organisation, it is a public one. Given recent revelations about the misuse of significant amounts of money involving some of those at the top of the Corporation, details about the exact monetary cuts to the budget for the BBC Big Band’s recording sessions may be embarrassing and rather awkward for the BBC, but that is not the same thing as being either sensitive, or commercial, or both. If the musicians of the BBC Big Band are indeed freelancers, then there is no contractual reason either why the overall cut to budget cannot be disclosed.
I do appreciate that you have difficult budgetary decisions to make, but I would suggest that a failure to be transparent over the reasons behind a decision to cut back on original, creative output is unlikely to inspire confidence in the BBC among licence fee payers and audiences."
He wrote to Radio 2's Lewis Carnie, asking how much money was involved, axing the show after 34 years. Lewis, perhaps unwisely, wrote back thus "Due to the sensitive commercial nature of our budgets, I’m afraid I am unable to go in to detail about the exact monetary cuts and savings that will be made."
Rob duly froths "I am surprised to learn that the BBC considers that the budget for the Big Band’s activities to be commercially sensitive. The BBC is not a commercial organisation, it is a public one. Given recent revelations about the misuse of significant amounts of money involving some of those at the top of the Corporation, details about the exact monetary cuts to the budget for the BBC Big Band’s recording sessions may be embarrassing and rather awkward for the BBC, but that is not the same thing as being either sensitive, or commercial, or both. If the musicians of the BBC Big Band are indeed freelancers, then there is no contractual reason either why the overall cut to budget cannot be disclosed.
I do appreciate that you have difficult budgetary decisions to make, but I would suggest that a failure to be transparent over the reasons behind a decision to cut back on original, creative output is unlikely to inspire confidence in the BBC among licence fee payers and audiences."
Mysterious
Seven awards for Time Waner's HBO at the Emmys, though sadly nothing for Mel Brooks Strikes Back, with interviewer Alan Yentob. I haven't yet tracked down photographic evidence of our hero's attendance - surely here was there?
- Al has been booked for a session at the upcoming Radio Festival in Salford, discussing trust in the BBC. Helena Kennedy is also on the panel, and the whole is chaired by "fearless" Richard Bacon. It'll be live on Radio 5 Live on Tuesday 15th October at 2pm.
Canned
I wonder who or what was selecting images to accompany the mobile news feed for BBC News last night.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Mail trail
So far this week's revelations around how the Labour administration fought with itself in power have been kind to James Purnell, former minister, now Director of Strategy and Digital at the BBC.
He has a caring, supportive nature in a crisis, offering to help beleagured Tony Blair (Am happy to do any TB boosting if you need anyone?) and to take colleagues mind off things with a good meal (As turkeys seem to be voting for Christmas early this year I suggest an impromptu 1994 dinner [a reference to the so-called Granita deal between Blair and Brown in 1994] on Sunday night. Please let me know your availability and i'll book a central London venue).
Next week's extracts from McBride's story may be less helpful. McBride was working with Derek Draper to set up a rogue website to be called Red Rag (an exercise which was to prove McBride's political downfall), and the pair were assembling "stories". Here's the snippet from today's Mail, with McBride reporting a conversation with Draper.
“But how could anyone have got into your emails?” I asked him.
“Oh God”, he sighed, “I’ve been extremely naive on my password. I’ve changed it now, but it was pretty obvious before”.
‘What’s the worst anyone could have found if they’ve been in your emails?’ Mr Draper reeled off a list of ‘ministers I am in contact with who would have problems because of things they’ve written to me’. The names were: ‘Peter Mandelson – definitely, James Purnell – definitely and Ed Miliband – probably.'
He has a caring, supportive nature in a crisis, offering to help beleagured Tony Blair (Am happy to do any TB boosting if you need anyone?) and to take colleagues mind off things with a good meal (As turkeys seem to be voting for Christmas early this year I suggest an impromptu 1994 dinner [a reference to the so-called Granita deal between Blair and Brown in 1994] on Sunday night. Please let me know your availability and i'll book a central London venue).
Next week's extracts from McBride's story may be less helpful. McBride was working with Derek Draper to set up a rogue website to be called Red Rag (an exercise which was to prove McBride's political downfall), and the pair were assembling "stories". Here's the snippet from today's Mail, with McBride reporting a conversation with Draper.
“But how could anyone have got into your emails?” I asked him.
“Oh God”, he sighed, “I’ve been extremely naive on my password. I’ve changed it now, but it was pretty obvious before”.
‘What’s the worst anyone could have found if they’ve been in your emails?’ Mr Draper reeled off a list of ‘ministers I am in contact with who would have problems because of things they’ve written to me’. The names were: ‘Peter Mandelson – definitely, James Purnell – definitely and Ed Miliband – probably.'
Friday, September 20, 2013
Tinkering
A thin slice hurts just as much as a thick slice when you're making job cuts. It's a really difficult task for the band of managers who have to come up with the yearly plans for various bits of BBC News, but this year's package looks tactical rather than strategic.
Cutting the only "built" news programme from the schedules of Radio 5 Live - Morning Reports - seems to go against the mission for quality and distinctiveness. Now the news team, taken up to Salford to run in parallel with a newsroom in London (and to fulfil different strategy - Out of London numbers), will just write summaries and flashes. Are they that different from summaries on Radio 2 and 4 ?
Cutting and re-instating the Madrid correspondent is, roughly, performed on a five year Hokey-Cokey cycle. If they found someone with both Spanish and an interest in football, surely the activities of Real Madrid and Barcelona would provide rich pickings ?
The Rural Affairs correspondent is another role that now seems to be on crop rotation, and is currently on set aside.
The reporter role in Gaza/Ramallah has produced talented people in the past, now doing well elsewhere in BBC newsgathering - the very existence of the post makes BBC News different. Now it's to be replaced by a local hire - let's hope they pick well.
One thing we haven't heard about. Cuts to Newsnight or Today or Panorama. In the current climate, the rich get rich, and...
Cutting the only "built" news programme from the schedules of Radio 5 Live - Morning Reports - seems to go against the mission for quality and distinctiveness. Now the news team, taken up to Salford to run in parallel with a newsroom in London (and to fulfil different strategy - Out of London numbers), will just write summaries and flashes. Are they that different from summaries on Radio 2 and 4 ?
Cutting and re-instating the Madrid correspondent is, roughly, performed on a five year Hokey-Cokey cycle. If they found someone with both Spanish and an interest in football, surely the activities of Real Madrid and Barcelona would provide rich pickings ?
The Rural Affairs correspondent is another role that now seems to be on crop rotation, and is currently on set aside.
The reporter role in Gaza/Ramallah has produced talented people in the past, now doing well elsewhere in BBC newsgathering - the very existence of the post makes BBC News different. Now it's to be replaced by a local hire - let's hope they pick well.
One thing we haven't heard about. Cuts to Newsnight or Today or Panorama. In the current climate, the rich get rich, and...
Blank look
Attention, Peel Media, owners of MediaCityUK - clearly not Twitterati. You may wish to have a look at the maintenance agreement for your "big" screen in the piazza. A group of pixels has gone missing in what, during party conference season, has turned out to be an unfortunate position. Hat-tips to @rowanbridge and @OllyFoster.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Slicing time
It's at least the ninth consecutive year of cuts to the budget of the BBC News division, now down from 9,000 staff at its peak to around 8,000.
This year new boss James Harding has clearly decided to take the foot off the pedal a little. In 2012, 140 post closures saved £25m; today, he's announced 75 jobs will go by the end of financial year 2013/4, saving £11m; there are still two years of cuts to come, which will need to find the remaining £24m of the £60m target for news, driven by the licence-fee-settlement-done-over-a-weekend - unless the new DG decided to re-allocate things.
The choreography is interesting - normally this annual cull is announced in October, but clearly, the organisation wants to move upbeat with the DG's 10-year strategy due to be unveiled on October 8. So, clearing the decks, we can expect news of cuts to Television, Radio and Future Media to follow shortly. Maybe the Bonfire of The Boards, when it comes, will help lighten the mood for the lower ranks.
This year new boss James Harding has clearly decided to take the foot off the pedal a little. In 2012, 140 post closures saved £25m; today, he's announced 75 jobs will go by the end of financial year 2013/4, saving £11m; there are still two years of cuts to come, which will need to find the remaining £24m of the £60m target for news, driven by the licence-fee-settlement-done-over-a-weekend - unless the new DG decided to re-allocate things.
The choreography is interesting - normally this annual cull is announced in October, but clearly, the organisation wants to move upbeat with the DG's 10-year strategy due to be unveiled on October 8. So, clearing the decks, we can expect news of cuts to Television, Radio and Future Media to follow shortly. Maybe the Bonfire of The Boards, when it comes, will help lighten the mood for the lower ranks.
Tilting
I don't know how much the BBC got for the Windmill Road site on the Ealing/Brentford border back in 2011 - but I bet it was nowhere near £20m price tag it's got today.
Windmill Road was mainly home to the film archive, which got gradually moved to a new facility in Perivale by March 2011 (cost close to £17m). Now Windmill Road is known as the Reynard Mills Trading Estate, and the current owners have struck a deal to sell on at £20m, subject to winning planning permission for 275 homes - most of them in six or seven storey blocks, which is alarming local residents.
Windmill Road was mainly home to the film archive, which got gradually moved to a new facility in Perivale by March 2011 (cost close to £17m). Now Windmill Road is known as the Reynard Mills Trading Estate, and the current owners have struck a deal to sell on at £20m, subject to winning planning permission for 275 homes - most of them in six or seven storey blocks, which is alarming local residents.
Not playing....
On Radio 2 this morning, Chris Evans got a little over-excited about a visit from BBC Director General Lord Hall. He clearly hoped to persuade Tone to the microphone for a chat, but failed. Nonetheless the DG did feature in "Top Tenuous", and you (and he) might be surprised about what the Radio 2 audience know about him. Clips feature Vassos and Lynn.
Manmade fabric
I worry about Danny. Danny Cohen, the BBC's Director of Television. When did a double-first in English literature from Oxford University lose his command of language ?
To raise the profile and status of development within BBC Television, Cohen is introducing ‘Creative Labels’ built around ‘a creative entrepreneur’ who comes up with innovative and big ideas. Working with a small, handpicked team, they will be encouraged to focus on delivering ground-breaking, world-class content.
Labels will be led by creative, commercial, slot or talent strategic needs. They will be fluid and encouraged to roam across commissioning boundaries, operating for two years with the option of renewal. Labels will be identified by Production, Commissioning and Channels and managed by a ‘home’ Genre Board. This will be a new way to reward stand-out creativity at a senior level, free from administrative or people management responsibilities. The initial Creative Labels will be announced over the coming months.
Perhaps Mrs Cohen, Noreena Hertz, has stepped aside from providing hubby with "challenge", as she promotes her book about making informed choices in a modern world. She was with George Alagiah on BBC World yesterday, and is on Woman's Hour this morning.
Labels will be led by creative, commercial, slot or talent strategic needs. They will be fluid and encouraged to roam across commissioning boundaries, operating for two years with the option of renewal. Labels will be identified by Production, Commissioning and Channels and managed by a ‘home’ Genre Board. This will be a new way to reward stand-out creativity at a senior level, free from administrative or people management responsibilities. The initial Creative Labels will be announced over the coming months.
Perhaps Mrs Cohen, Noreena Hertz, has stepped aside from providing hubby with "challenge", as she promotes her book about making informed choices in a modern world. She was with George Alagiah on BBC World yesterday, and is on Woman's Hour this morning.
Local tip
BBC Local Radio has an annual set of internal awards, called the Gillards. Here's the first names of presenters who've got nominations for 2013 (where names are declared).
Guess it'll change in 2014. A side bet on anyone called Jonathan winning something seems a good call.
Guess it'll change in 2014. A side bet on anyone called Jonathan winning something seems a good call.
- In the relentless search for new local radio talent, it's reported that David Hamilton is presenting the Saturday morning show on BBC Surrey and Sussex this weekend. That's after a two week stint imparting his local wisdom to listeners of BBC Radio Devon.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Ron and Nick
The virtual letter pages of BBC house organ Ariel are turning into a place for debate worthy of our grander newspapers. The latest topic is the former Deputy Director General and Director of Journalism, Mark Byford and his redundancy deal.
On the left, Nick Serpell, BBC Obituaries Editor and former Father of the Chapel for News. On the right, former BBC Executive Ron Neil (brought back by Mark to lead the post-Hutton review aimed at "putting things right" in News).
Ron started it, with a letter defending Mark's character...
Mark did not negotiate this deal; it's what he was informed he would receive. Nevertheless, many staff have been highly critical of the pay-offs issue and the large sums of money involved. That is perfectly understandable.
What is less understandable, and hugely unfair, is the suggestion in some of the press that Mark was nothing other than a self serving, time serving BBC mandarin. Since balance is so important to the BBC, let me say, as his old boss, that Mark Byford was an inspirational leader of the BBC's journalism who worked tirelessly to bring cohesion, wise management and good judgement to the running of this huge division and, in so doing, the journalism was never stronger.
The rejoinder from Nick is pointed.
I never met Mark Byford but I do not doubt that everything Ron Neil wrote about him was completely true.
It is impossible to imagine that lowly members of staff would ever be offered a redundancy deal way over their contractual terms to persuade them to 'stay focused'. If that ever did happen, I would hope that their own honesty and integrity would persuade them to decline the offer.
On the left, Nick Serpell, BBC Obituaries Editor and former Father of the Chapel for News. On the right, former BBC Executive Ron Neil (brought back by Mark to lead the post-Hutton review aimed at "putting things right" in News).
Ron started it, with a letter defending Mark's character...
Mark did not negotiate this deal; it's what he was informed he would receive. Nevertheless, many staff have been highly critical of the pay-offs issue and the large sums of money involved. That is perfectly understandable.
What is less understandable, and hugely unfair, is the suggestion in some of the press that Mark was nothing other than a self serving, time serving BBC mandarin. Since balance is so important to the BBC, let me say, as his old boss, that Mark Byford was an inspirational leader of the BBC's journalism who worked tirelessly to bring cohesion, wise management and good judgement to the running of this huge division and, in so doing, the journalism was never stronger.
The rejoinder from Nick is pointed.
I never met Mark Byford but I do not doubt that everything Ron Neil wrote about him was completely true.
It is impossible to imagine that lowly members of staff would ever be offered a redundancy deal way over their contractual terms to persuade them to 'stay focused'. If that ever did happen, I would hope that their own honesty and integrity would persuade them to decline the offer.
Morgan v Kelly
Piers Morgan has a new cable news rival in the 9pm (Eastern Time) slot. Fox News have announced that Megyn Kelly, returning from maternity leave, is taking over from Sean Hannity, who moves to 10pm.
Hannity has been top of the ratings at 9pm since Morgan started with CNN, with Rachel Maddow at MSNBC running second.
Megyn, 42, trained and worked as a lawyer in Chicago and Washington, before joining a local station in DC as a reporter in 2004.
Yard of Ale
Deepjoy in Salford Quays. MediaCityUK is to get something resembling a pub. The Dock Yard will open in October, operated by Steve Pilling, who set up the Damson Restaurant.
Upmarket is the name of the game:
The menu is set to include spit roast free range chicken, handmade pies and handmade burgers by Mark Stanley, the company’s full-time butcher. The site will be open for breakfast too, serving fresh juices and artisan breads in the morning.
A relaxed and informal vibe is the plan, with a lively atmosphere after work. Decor-wise, the industrial-chic interior has been designed by Don Hobson, taking inspiration from the venue’s heritage as a key trading site on the shore of the ship canal – with a fit out by restaurant specialists Dawn Vale.
The Dock Yard will lead with the drinks offering, serving an array of keg and cask ales, pales ales, beers and ciders, as well as a wine list curated by wine expert Steve Pilling himself in an informal setting. Fine wine will be served in carafes, as well as by the bottle from their award-winning cellar.
Price-wise may be the important thing for BBC journos and students from Salford. Mr Pilling's pub in Stockport, The Red Lion, offers 175ml glasses of wine at £3.75. In Damson, they start at £4.75, and pints of Kaltenberg cost £4. We'll let you know....
Upmarket is the name of the game:
The menu is set to include spit roast free range chicken, handmade pies and handmade burgers by Mark Stanley, the company’s full-time butcher. The site will be open for breakfast too, serving fresh juices and artisan breads in the morning.
A relaxed and informal vibe is the plan, with a lively atmosphere after work. Decor-wise, the industrial-chic interior has been designed by Don Hobson, taking inspiration from the venue’s heritage as a key trading site on the shore of the ship canal – with a fit out by restaurant specialists Dawn Vale.
The Dock Yard will lead with the drinks offering, serving an array of keg and cask ales, pales ales, beers and ciders, as well as a wine list curated by wine expert Steve Pilling himself in an informal setting. Fine wine will be served in carafes, as well as by the bottle from their award-winning cellar.
Price-wise may be the important thing for BBC journos and students from Salford. Mr Pilling's pub in Stockport, The Red Lion, offers 175ml glasses of wine at £3.75. In Damson, they start at £4.75, and pints of Kaltenberg cost £4. We'll let you know....
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Collegiate
Staff working for BBC HR boss Lucy Adams - I don't know how many - have written to house organ Ariel in support of their departing director. It's been headed "Lay off Lucy".
Those of us who have worked closely with Lucy Adams since she joined the BBC in 2009 have watched last week's media coverage with dismay.
We have been shocked and disturbed by the level of vitriol directed towards Lucy that is so out of kilter with our experience of working with her that we can't let it pass without comment. We believe the recent character assassinations in the press are sexist, inaccurate and unfair.
Our experience of working with Lucy is that she is a leader of great integrity and honesty whose sole concern is to do what is right, (rather than what is easy), to secure the future of the BBC.
It's at odds with the cheering reported from the BBC Newsroom during Ma Hodge's channelling of Judge Jeffreys at the Public Accounts Committee last week; and a view clearly not shared with whoever leaked a note about "sweetners" [sic] to Stephen Barclay MP.
One big cheerleader for Lucy has been Karen Moran, who followed Lucy to the BBC from Eversheds and is currently HR Director Resourcing & Talent and Leadership. She's got into a recent Twitter spat with outsiders who are not Lucy fans.
Those of us who have worked closely with Lucy Adams since she joined the BBC in 2009 have watched last week's media coverage with dismay.
We have been shocked and disturbed by the level of vitriol directed towards Lucy that is so out of kilter with our experience of working with her that we can't let it pass without comment. We believe the recent character assassinations in the press are sexist, inaccurate and unfair.
Our experience of working with Lucy is that she is a leader of great integrity and honesty whose sole concern is to do what is right, (rather than what is easy), to secure the future of the BBC.
It's at odds with the cheering reported from the BBC Newsroom during Ma Hodge's channelling of Judge Jeffreys at the Public Accounts Committee last week; and a view clearly not shared with whoever leaked a note about "sweetners" [sic] to Stephen Barclay MP.
One big cheerleader for Lucy has been Karen Moran, who followed Lucy to the BBC from Eversheds and is currently HR Director Resourcing & Talent and Leadership. She's got into a recent Twitter spat with outsiders who are not Lucy fans.
Objective or not ?
Plain-speaking David Holdsworth, custodian of BBC local radio, has acquired a writing style of some elegance for a piece lurking in the "Women in Leadership" of the Guardian Professional Section.
In it he makes it clear that Lord Hall's ambition to reach a figure of 50% female presentation of local radio breakfast shows by the end of 2014 is just that, and not a target.
It's important to stress that this is an aspiration, not a quota; aside from concerns of unfairness, a quota would undermine the credibility of every great female presenter we appointed.
This aspiration makes perfect sense to us. BBC Local Radio has around 600 presenters, which is more than all the BBC main radio networks, the services for the devolved nations and the English language World Service combined.
So a positive change to representation on local radio makes a significant impact on the whole industry. With so many great national broadcasters starting out in our stations, it also means that changes we make now will shape the voices we all hear on national radio in five and ten years' time.
Being the focus of attention on this issue is no stigma; rather it acknowledges our significance and that we have a role to play in leading a change that should eventually happen everywhere in radio.
All very sensible. But then a revelation. Clearly, when half of our staff are women, it's not right that just a quarter of the hours we transmit feature female presenters. We can and must do better.
I think if I were a pressure group, say, like Sound Women, I'd want more figures from Mr Holdsworth. A baseline of the current gender balance of all 600 local radio presenters, so that we can genuinely say that more women have been recruited, rather than shuffled round the schedules. I may need a bigger grid.
In it he makes it clear that Lord Hall's ambition to reach a figure of 50% female presentation of local radio breakfast shows by the end of 2014 is just that, and not a target.
It's important to stress that this is an aspiration, not a quota; aside from concerns of unfairness, a quota would undermine the credibility of every great female presenter we appointed.
This aspiration makes perfect sense to us. BBC Local Radio has around 600 presenters, which is more than all the BBC main radio networks, the services for the devolved nations and the English language World Service combined.
So a positive change to representation on local radio makes a significant impact on the whole industry. With so many great national broadcasters starting out in our stations, it also means that changes we make now will shape the voices we all hear on national radio in five and ten years' time.
Being the focus of attention on this issue is no stigma; rather it acknowledges our significance and that we have a role to play in leading a change that should eventually happen everywhere in radio.
All very sensible. But then a revelation. Clearly, when half of our staff are women, it's not right that just a quarter of the hours we transmit feature female presenters. We can and must do better.
I think if I were a pressure group, say, like Sound Women, I'd want more figures from Mr Holdsworth. A baseline of the current gender balance of all 600 local radio presenters, so that we can genuinely say that more women have been recruited, rather than shuffled round the schedules. I may need a bigger grid.
Shoulder to shoulder - but shoving hard
There's some surprise in social media this morning that the Daily Mail, in a long editorial, should stand up for the independence of the BBC.
It shouldn't be a surprise. The Mail needs the BBC. Their readership and the BBC's core audience overlap almost totally. And whilst, encouraged by their favourite paper, the readers hate BBC excess, and probably wouldn't mind a reduction in the licence fee, they love most primetime programmes.
At the top, dyspeptic editor Paul Dacre wants a much smaller BBC - he drones on about 8,000 journalists, and wants a clearer run for Martin Clarke's pursuit of online world dominance through prurient photographs. Editorially, he's clearly made a decision that BBC stories sell papers - and has a trusty team who do little else other than sniff for nasty smells from their favourite Auntie. Journalisted is a site that analyses reporter's work since 2007; Martin Delgado, a former BBC sub now reporting for the Mail, has written more about the BBC than anything else in 277 by-lined articles. Paul Revoir, who left the Mail earlier this year, has written more about the BBC than anything else in 1010 by-lined articles. Liz Thomas has written more about the BBC than anything else in 903 articles. Freelancer Miles Goslett has written more about the BBC than anything else, in 271 articles. An unnamed writer clearly watches Susanna Reid 24 hours a day.
I write more about the BBC than anything else, and struggle with the worry that my teasing of the organisation I love gets turned by others into spurious outrage. I console myself with the certain knowledge that taking the mick out of management pomposity is in the BBC DNA, and is probably one of its survival genes.
It shouldn't be a surprise. The Mail needs the BBC. Their readership and the BBC's core audience overlap almost totally. And whilst, encouraged by their favourite paper, the readers hate BBC excess, and probably wouldn't mind a reduction in the licence fee, they love most primetime programmes.
At the top, dyspeptic editor Paul Dacre wants a much smaller BBC - he drones on about 8,000 journalists, and wants a clearer run for Martin Clarke's pursuit of online world dominance through prurient photographs. Editorially, he's clearly made a decision that BBC stories sell papers - and has a trusty team who do little else other than sniff for nasty smells from their favourite Auntie. Journalisted is a site that analyses reporter's work since 2007; Martin Delgado, a former BBC sub now reporting for the Mail, has written more about the BBC than anything else in 277 by-lined articles. Paul Revoir, who left the Mail earlier this year, has written more about the BBC than anything else in 1010 by-lined articles. Liz Thomas has written more about the BBC than anything else in 903 articles. Freelancer Miles Goslett has written more about the BBC than anything else, in 271 articles. An unnamed writer clearly watches Susanna Reid 24 hours a day.
I write more about the BBC than anything else, and struggle with the worry that my teasing of the organisation I love gets turned by others into spurious outrage. I console myself with the certain knowledge that taking the mick out of management pomposity is in the BBC DNA, and is probably one of its survival genes.
Potty
Regular readers will know I speculated on Alan Yentob's whereabouts earlier this week. He's making a film on UK-based ceramic artist and author Edmund De Waal, who has just opened his first exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery in New York. I'm grateful to the New York Social Diary....
Alan was back in the UK on Sunday - spotted in the front row of Paul Smith's catwalk show at the London Fashion Week.
Alan was back in the UK on Sunday - spotted in the front row of Paul Smith's catwalk show at the London Fashion Week.
- It is conceivable that De Waal's work needs Yentob interpretation to make sense for the BBC1 viewer. This quote accompanies the show..."I've been thinking about new ways to make pauses, spaces and silences, where breath is held inside and between each vessel, between the objects and the vitrines, the vitrines and the room. In working with the vessel, working with porcelain, and with colours that express the great history of Oriental ceramics, but also the colours of modernism and minimalism; this seems to be enough material to be getting on with."
Monday, September 16, 2013
Golden Years
Sue was part of the No 10 Policy Unit 1998 to 1999, advising on family issues. James Purnell, now Director of Strategy and Digital for the BBC, was there too, as was Ed Richards, Director of Ofcom. So no formal introductions needed ahead of Charter Review, then...
Be gentle
It's been a busy year for the BBC Trust - so six months after they said it was coming, they have today launched a public consultation about BBC News and Current Affairs. You're invited to fill in a survey, online or on paper, and apparently we can expect results in "Spring 2014".
Here's one of the questions - your cumulative response will have them twitching in the specialist clusters of Broadcasting House.
Here's one of the questions - your cumulative response will have them twitching in the specialist clusters of Broadcasting House.
London judgement
A collision between the hot-headed world of Glasgow football and the judgely decisions of the BBC Trust's Editorial Standards team is rumbling on, most unpleasantly. The Trust ruled against BBC Scotland in terms of accuracy, for uses of "old" and "new" applied to the clearly-changing circumstances of Rangers Football Club. This "imprecision" of language, according to some fans, is "anti-Rangers", a denial of primeval and vital continuity, bloodlines, or some such, and requires public apologies, if not firmer action. Now presenter Jim Spence's comments in discussion are also to be investigated. It's rumoured that Jim has asked for voluntary redundancy.
BBC Scotland has "noted" the Trust's decisions so far. That's a polite word for it.
BBC Scotland has "noted" the Trust's decisions so far. That's a polite word for it.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Gasping
The petition asking Radio 2 to think again about an 80% cut in support for the BBC Big Band now has close to 3,600 signatures, and backing from The Telegraph.
And also from Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, thus...
At a time when millions of pounds are spent on executive payoffs, it is staggering that BBC bosses should cut the BBC Big Band’s air time by 80%. One can only wonder why the BBC thinks this is a good decision, when so many licence fee payers hugely enjoy the repertoire of this historic band. The ISM therefore is proud to support wholeheartedly the campaign to stop these cuts and we urge you to sign the petition below. And of course the ISM will be monitoring the position very carefully – we must not stand by and watch the livelihoods of musicians be put at risk.
Hang on, is there someone else Deborah could talk to - say Lord Hall of Birkenhead, newly anointed as Honorary Member of the ISM ?
And also from Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, thus...
At a time when millions of pounds are spent on executive payoffs, it is staggering that BBC bosses should cut the BBC Big Band’s air time by 80%. One can only wonder why the BBC thinks this is a good decision, when so many licence fee payers hugely enjoy the repertoire of this historic band. The ISM therefore is proud to support wholeheartedly the campaign to stop these cuts and we urge you to sign the petition below. And of course the ISM will be monitoring the position very carefully – we must not stand by and watch the livelihoods of musicians be put at risk.
Hang on, is there someone else Deborah could talk to - say Lord Hall of Birkenhead, newly anointed as Honorary Member of the ISM ?
Lucky Jim
Emma Willis (agent James Grant) will host the next series of The Voice on BBC1, replacing Holly Willoughby (agent James Grant) and Reggie Yates (agent James Grant).
Moving from modelling to MTV, her first network telly was presenting I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here NOW, the ITV2 backstory show, with husband Matt, for series 7 and 8. The main show is presented by Ant and Dec (agent James Grant).
She's also now a regular on This Morning on ITV, covering occasionally for Holly Willoughby and Ruth Langsford (agent James Grant) on the sofa with Philip Schofield (agent James Grant), and presenting the interactive spot, the Hub, alongside Stephen Mulhern (agent James Grant). Emma and Stephen also present a Sunday show on Heart FM.
Moving from modelling to MTV, her first network telly was presenting I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here NOW, the ITV2 backstory show, with husband Matt, for series 7 and 8. The main show is presented by Ant and Dec (agent James Grant).
She's also now a regular on This Morning on ITV, covering occasionally for Holly Willoughby and Ruth Langsford (agent James Grant) on the sofa with Philip Schofield (agent James Grant), and presenting the interactive spot, the Hub, alongside Stephen Mulhern (agent James Grant). Emma and Stephen also present a Sunday show on Heart FM.
Extra shot
BBC Television's Controller of Business for Knowledge and Daytime, Lisa Opie, this summer opened a new cafe in Berkhamsted, with business partner Debbie Manners. It shouldn't matter too much about what BBC staff do in their own time - but sadly Lisa's blog about this venture suggests there was real pressure opening the caff and keeping up with the day job. The blog has been removed overnight, but the Mail has significant extracts.
Lisa joined the BBC in 2012, as part of a restructuring of "Vision", from top five indie Twofour Digital. Previously she'd been head of content at Channel 5, and spent 13 years as MD of Flextech. Here's a little vid Lisa found time to make explaining her BBC job in August.
Lisa joined the BBC in 2012, as part of a restructuring of "Vision", from top five indie Twofour Digital. Previously she'd been head of content at Channel 5, and spent 13 years as MD of Flextech. Here's a little vid Lisa found time to make explaining her BBC job in August.
- Rod Liddle reveals in today's Sunday Times that his salary in his last year as Editor of Today, in 2003, was just over £60k. Using the Bank of England inflation calculator, that's equivalent to £80,335 in 2012. Wouildn't mind betting that Katz is doing better than that at Newsnight...
Saturday, September 14, 2013
What's new ?
I'm intrigued by Danny Cohen's introduction of a new question for BBC audience panels - do they judge a programme to be "fresh and new" ? Is the answer to be "yes or no" (in the case of "new" there surely can be little choice) or is there a scale ("really fresh", "a tad musty", "off", "rank" etc) ?
And is there a base line Danny can share, in the world where the BBC seeks constant improvement in RQIV (Reach, Quality, Impact, Value) ? I suspect not - I guess we'll find the the information is held "for the purposes of journalism, art and literature".
Last night's schedules on both BBC3 and BBC4 boasted only two programmes that weren't repeats, neither made by the BBC. Young Montalbano, the Montalbano prequel, on 4, is purchased from Italy, first shown there in 2012. On Three, we were treated to Anuvahood, a British urban comedy released in March 2011 - "irredeemably lame and unfunny - The Guardian".
Here are the principal Oxford dictionary definitions. .
Fresh (adjective)
not previously known or used; new or different:
the court had heard fresh evidence
recently created or experienced and not faded or impaired:
the memory was still fresh in their minds
(of a person) attractively youthful and unspoilt:
a fresh young girl
New (adjective)
produced, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time; not existing before:
the new Madonna album
new crop varieties
this tendency is not new
Last night's schedules on both BBC3 and BBC4 boasted only two programmes that weren't repeats, neither made by the BBC. Young Montalbano, the Montalbano prequel, on 4, is purchased from Italy, first shown there in 2012. On Three, we were treated to Anuvahood, a British urban comedy released in March 2011 - "irredeemably lame and unfunny - The Guardian".
Here are the principal Oxford dictionary definitions. .
Fresh (adjective)
not previously known or used; new or different:
the court had heard fresh evidence
recently created or experienced and not faded or impaired:
the memory was still fresh in their minds
(of a person) attractively youthful and unspoilt:
a fresh young girl
New (adjective)
produced, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time; not existing before:
the new Madonna album
new crop varieties
this tendency is not new
Venue
Edmund De Waal, British ceramic artist and author, has lived in the UK nearly all his life. Born in Nottingham, educated in Canterbury and Cambridge, he built a pottery on the Welsh borders, then moved to inner-city Sheffield; he learned Japanese, and spent some time there, but since 1993 has been based in and around London, working as Professor of Ceramics at Westminster University til 2011, and currently living in Dulwich.
He's currently at the Gagosian Gallery in New York, setting up his first US exhibition. Where do think Alan Yentob might interview him ?
He's currently at the Gagosian Gallery in New York, setting up his first US exhibition. Where do think Alan Yentob might interview him ?
Friday, September 13, 2013
Protective
You have to say that Shield must be an appealing name for a BBC spinner in current times. After an uncomfortably long trawl, Tony Hall and James Purnell have opted for John Shield from the Department of Work and Pensions as their Director of Communications. There he's been providing clarity, or not, for Ian Duncan-Smith's welfare reforms.
John has previous BBC experience, working for News for two years from 2008, before being seduced to communicate success for amusingly-named rail and bus provider, Go Ahead. In earlier times he was a press officer in Downing Street, followed by various Whitehall roles.
Julian Payne, who's been minding the BBC shop as interim comms boss, gets an interesting consolation prize - working on the review of how the Trust and Executive might tell each other the whole story in future.
Cultural shift
The teams that produce Newsnight on BBC2 and Today on Radio 4 have historically circled each other warily, each confident in the belief that their own journalism, contacts, scoops and big interviews are better than the other's.
Ian Katz at Newsnight is in that period of the BBC financial year just before the bean counters get anxious, so this week jetted out Paxo to the Middle East, to present and report. Jamie Angus, fresh from minding Newsnight in the post-Savile interregnum, is now at the helm of Today, and this week spent on sending James Naughtie to offer some apercus from Washington. (Is this perhaps a last jolly before Jim has to turn up for shifts at Good Morning Scotland ?)
The BBC is notoriously quiet about Newsnight's viewing figures. At the RTS Cambridge conference, Richard Desmond, owner of Channel 5, who ought to have reasonable access to data, said the average audience stands at 613,000. Katz is under more pressure than Angus when it comes to cost per listener/viewer....
Ian Katz at Newsnight is in that period of the BBC financial year just before the bean counters get anxious, so this week jetted out Paxo to the Middle East, to present and report. Jamie Angus, fresh from minding Newsnight in the post-Savile interregnum, is now at the helm of Today, and this week spent on sending James Naughtie to offer some apercus from Washington. (Is this perhaps a last jolly before Jim has to turn up for shifts at Good Morning Scotland ?)
The BBC is notoriously quiet about Newsnight's viewing figures. At the RTS Cambridge conference, Richard Desmond, owner of Channel 5, who ought to have reasonable access to data, said the average audience stands at 613,000. Katz is under more pressure than Angus when it comes to cost per listener/viewer....
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The tumbling price of natural banter
There's just a few days left for applications to be Harry Gration's new on-screen friend, at Look North from Leeds. The requirement is clear: Audience research suggests viewers value a ‘natural relationship’ between presenters, they do not like ‘forced’ banter and in time you’ll be expected to develop a natural working relationship with your co-presenter.
Christa Ackroyd left Harry's side earlier this year in odd circumstances. Her contract was said to have been worth £180k. Buried in the job description for her replacement - Grade 8D. If they stick to that, it's on a range, outside London, of £30k to £50k.
Christa Ackroyd left Harry's side earlier this year in odd circumstances. Her contract was said to have been worth £180k. Buried in the job description for her replacement - Grade 8D. If they stick to that, it's on a range, outside London, of £30k to £50k.
Bust measurement
Mixed in with the debate about the governance role of the BBC Trust is the return of the old argument about "cheerleader" v "regulator". Should Trustees be at arm's length from detailed and regular conversations about output, and simply set service licences and conduct public value tests ? Or are they wise counsellors, passing on their insights into what licence-fee payers want from Auntie ?
Trustee Richard Ayre yesterday described his recent activity to R4's Media Show, in answer to the charge that the Trust is Bust. Whilst his first two pieces of work might be appropriate, the tone feels a little cheerleader - and the day dealing with complaints could easily go to Ofcom; many of them will anyway.
Trustee Richard Ayre yesterday described his recent activity to R4's Media Show, in answer to the charge that the Trust is Bust. Whilst his first two pieces of work might be appropriate, the tone feels a little cheerleader - and the day dealing with complaints could easily go to Ofcom; many of them will anyway.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Goal line technology
Review time.
A rather apologetic letter from Lordy Lord (Hall) and Lardy Lord (Patten) to the Culture Secretary promises to fill the cracks that severance pay fell down...
The project, which will be carried out using existing resources within the BBC will involve a comprehensive review of the BBC’s internal governance systems and structures, and the culture that surrounds them.
The aim is to:
Provide clarity about responsibilities between each body
Ensure that the Trust and Executive have agreed a way of working together that prevents possible misunderstanding or confusion on key issues
Avoid duplication and overlap, including in areas such as remuneration and audits
Ensure effective decision making, accountability and focus on the licence fee payer
Let's hope the new document is easy for the throat-singing Krollster to chant over coffee. My suggestions would be simpler. No exchange of emails shall take place between the DG's Office and The Trust Unit, trying to square things off for their principals ahead of formal meetings. Only written proposals requiring approval to go up; only clear written instructions to come down. Proposals from the Executive to be approved, rejected or modified within two weeks of receipt - no saying the agenda's too full. Halve the size of both operations.
The letter also effectively bares the BBC breast to the National Audit Office; before the end of the year, I bet the NAO establishes a semi-permanent BBC unit. This, of course, will add duplication and confusion...
A rather apologetic letter from Lordy Lord (Hall) and Lardy Lord (Patten) to the Culture Secretary promises to fill the cracks that severance pay fell down...
The project, which will be carried out using existing resources within the BBC will involve a comprehensive review of the BBC’s internal governance systems and structures, and the culture that surrounds them.
The aim is to:
Provide clarity about responsibilities between each body
Ensure that the Trust and Executive have agreed a way of working together that prevents possible misunderstanding or confusion on key issues
Avoid duplication and overlap, including in areas such as remuneration and audits
Ensure effective decision making, accountability and focus on the licence fee payer
Let's hope the new document is easy for the throat-singing Krollster to chant over coffee. My suggestions would be simpler. No exchange of emails shall take place between the DG's Office and The Trust Unit, trying to square things off for their principals ahead of formal meetings. Only written proposals requiring approval to go up; only clear written instructions to come down. Proposals from the Executive to be approved, rejected or modified within two weeks of receipt - no saying the agenda's too full. Halve the size of both operations.
The letter also effectively bares the BBC breast to the National Audit Office; before the end of the year, I bet the NAO establishes a semi-permanent BBC unit. This, of course, will add duplication and confusion...
Tough Life On Earth
Our greatest living broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, has described senior management salaries at the BBC as "a huge embarrassment".
He recalls his time as Director of Programmes for BBC Television in 1969 - "I think my salary was £15,000 a year". In the hierarchy of those days, Director of Programmes was deputy to the Managing Director of Television, Huw Wheldon, and sat above channel controllers Paul Fox at BBC One, and Robin Scott at BBC2.
(Managing) Director of Television now is Danny Cohen, sitting above three channel controllers and a yet-to-be-appointed channel editor, for BBC4. Danny recently announced that his deputy would be Mark Linsey, who is also Controller of Entertainment. Mark's new package is £222,000. If you use the Bank of England inflation calculator, £15,000 in 1969 would have been equivalent to £210,000 in 2012. Add a little for 2013, Sir David, and you wonder how far back embarrassment should go.
He recalls his time as Director of Programmes for BBC Television in 1969 - "I think my salary was £15,000 a year". In the hierarchy of those days, Director of Programmes was deputy to the Managing Director of Television, Huw Wheldon, and sat above channel controllers Paul Fox at BBC One, and Robin Scott at BBC2.
(Managing) Director of Television now is Danny Cohen, sitting above three channel controllers and a yet-to-be-appointed channel editor, for BBC4. Danny recently announced that his deputy would be Mark Linsey, who is also Controller of Entertainment. Mark's new package is £222,000. If you use the Bank of England inflation calculator, £15,000 in 1969 would have been equivalent to £210,000 in 2012. Add a little for 2013, Sir David, and you wonder how far back embarrassment should go.
Dating game
Lord Hall is to unveil his vision for the BBC over the next ten years or so in a speech at New Broadcasting House on Tuesday 8th October.
The date marks the 40th anniversary of LBC, the UK's first legal "commercial" radio station. (It's also not far from Tony's start date of BBC employment as a news trainee in that same year - 1973).
The anniversary they all want you to think about is 2022, the BBC's centenary. We should perhaps remember that, in that first 18th October 1922 incorporation, the BBC was a commercial company, set up to create a national radio network by radio set manufacturers, so that they could sell more radios. The first broadcast came on 14 November with a news bulletin, at 6pm. The next day, the bulletin carried first results from the 1922 General Election. The Times reported the following morning that, with no more than thirty thousand people holding wireless licences, perhaps the most interesting feature of election night "was the phenomenon of 'listening-in parties'."
And newspapers were really spooked; eventually they won a ruling that there should be no news bulletins until 7pm, and that the BBC should only use wire agency stories - each bulletin carried the line "Copyright news from Reuters, Press Association, Exchange Telegraph and Central News".
And whilst there were no ads, there were some sponsored programmes - some by supported by newspapers. The annual Radio Licence fee, from the Post Office, cost 10/- (ten shillings), of which the BBC got half.
Hmm, sponsored programmes. Halve the licence fee. Funding models can be cyclical...
The date marks the 40th anniversary of LBC, the UK's first legal "commercial" radio station. (It's also not far from Tony's start date of BBC employment as a news trainee in that same year - 1973).
The anniversary they all want you to think about is 2022, the BBC's centenary. We should perhaps remember that, in that first 18th October 1922 incorporation, the BBC was a commercial company, set up to create a national radio network by radio set manufacturers, so that they could sell more radios. The first broadcast came on 14 November with a news bulletin, at 6pm. The next day, the bulletin carried first results from the 1922 General Election. The Times reported the following morning that, with no more than thirty thousand people holding wireless licences, perhaps the most interesting feature of election night "was the phenomenon of 'listening-in parties'."
And newspapers were really spooked; eventually they won a ruling that there should be no news bulletins until 7pm, and that the BBC should only use wire agency stories - each bulletin carried the line "Copyright news from Reuters, Press Association, Exchange Telegraph and Central News".
And whilst there were no ads, there were some sponsored programmes - some by supported by newspapers. The annual Radio Licence fee, from the Post Office, cost 10/- (ten shillings), of which the BBC got half.
Hmm, sponsored programmes. Halve the licence fee. Funding models can be cyclical...
Jason seeks Fleece
There are interesting times ahead in Buckingham Palace Road. From October, The Telegraph's future will be shaped by 55-year-old Jason Seiken, hired from PBS in the States - the US home of Downton Abbey.
Here's a flavour of Jason's schtick, from a presentation to PBS staff last year.
Jason is a product of Union College, Schenectady, where his dad was Professor of Mathematics. He joined the Schenectady Gazette as a reporter in 1980 - here's an article made out of very little indeed happening at all on July the 4th 1981. Click to enjoy.
Here's a flavour of Jason's schtick, from a presentation to PBS staff last year.
Jason is a product of Union College, Schenectady, where his dad was Professor of Mathematics. He joined the Schenectady Gazette as a reporter in 1980 - here's an article made out of very little indeed happening at all on July the 4th 1981. Click to enjoy.
Prepped
Thanks to the Manchester Evening News, we learn more about Alan Yentob's "semi-kosher" upbringing in Didsbury. Moor Allerton preparatory school was his alma mater (Church of England affiliation), until the family moved to London in 1959, and Alan and twin bro Robert progressed to The King's School, Ely.
Moor Allerton is approaching its centenary - but hasn't yet published a photographic record of our hero.
Moor Allerton is approaching its centenary - but hasn't yet published a photographic record of our hero.
Busy boy
It's all very liberal at Jonathan Wall's 5Live. After the re-hiring of Adrian Chiles, we learn Sunday afternoon presenter Ian Payne keeps his slot, despite his appointment at the start of the month as ITN Sport Correspondent - and alongside his LBC Saturday afternoon show.
Hang on a minute, ITV - aren't Saturday and Sunday afternoons when quite a lot of sport happens ?
Hang on a minute, ITV - aren't Saturday and Sunday afternoons when quite a lot of sport happens ?
Past times
If you worked at Stage 6 of BBC Television Centre, this WAS a little tear-jerking video of studios, galleries and the rest being dismantled - if you "tuned in" this morning, it was there - but it's been removed by its creator. If anyone knows why, please let me in on it...
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Left outside
The outside broadcast units of SIS Live (which took over BBC OBs in 2008) are not required by the BBC Sport from 2014. This is a major move by Barbara Slater and the Sport team, presumably to drive down costs by going for a wider range of providers - but you have to say there has to be a risk to continuity and quality. SIS provided coverage of 9 Olympic venues in 2012, and has done Wimbledon, the London Marathon, Formula 1, athletics, football, rugby union and rugby league for the BBC since the transfer of 15 tv trucks, other assorted vehicles and associated staff off the BBC books five years ago. SIS honoured most BBC terms and conditions in the process - and may be paying the price for that.
A weakening of SIS's capabilities might have other consquences. They also provide trucks for Glastonbury, were there for the Diamond Jubilee - and have previously helped with up to 70 OBs for Election nights.
Here are the new providers selected by BBC Sport.
Athletics – NEP Visions (HQ - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
The Boat Race - CTV (part of the Euro Media Group, formed in 2007 from French and Dutch companies)
Football - CTV
Formula 1 - Presteigne Charter (part of the Avesco Group, HQ in Crawley)
London Marathon - CTV
Ruby League - Telegenic (already working for Sky and BT Sports)
Rugby Union - Telegenic
Tennis – NEP Visions
Wimbledon – NEP Visions
A weakening of SIS's capabilities might have other consquences. They also provide trucks for Glastonbury, were there for the Diamond Jubilee - and have previously helped with up to 70 OBs for Election nights.
Here are the new providers selected by BBC Sport.
Athletics – NEP Visions (HQ - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
The Boat Race - CTV (part of the Euro Media Group, formed in 2007 from French and Dutch companies)
Football - CTV
Formula 1 - Presteigne Charter (part of the Avesco Group, HQ in Crawley)
London Marathon - CTV
Ruby League - Telegenic (already working for Sky and BT Sports)
Rugby Union - Telegenic
Tennis – NEP Visions
Wimbledon – NEP Visions
Course of treatment
I wonder if Ian Katz' induction as Newsnight Editor included one of those uplifting BBC sessions on social media, and the basic policy "Don't do anything stupid..."
Our listeners love this kind of music, so...
The formal announcement of the new season on Radio 2 arrives. The highlight, for Controller Bob Shennan, is the arrival of Sara Cox with The Sound of The Eighties. Here are some extracts from the full press release.
Russell Davies’ show (Sun 9-10pm) will move to Monday nights (11pm-12midnight) for 26 weeks a year, with Jools Holland returning for the remainder. (This replaces "Mark Radcliffe's Music Club - Top music for now people")
Radio 2 is making a further commitment to Big Band music......
Clare Teal’s Sunday night show (10-11pm) will be extended as the network’s two big band music shows (Sun 10-11pm and Mon 9.30-10pm) are combined into a single live two-hour programme every Sunday from 9-11pm
Lewis Carnie, Radio 2 Head of Programmes, says: "I wanted to expand our Big Band programming but, with reduced funds across the BBC, we could no longer afford to commit to regular Big Band recordings. However, we are aware that our listeners love this kind of music, so we are giving our Sunday night audience an extended two-hour session of the tunes they love from the broadest range of Big Band music.”
In other strategic moves, people with a taste for Steve Lamacq's style of rock late on Thursday evenings can in future drift off to The Organist Entertains and Listen To The Band. In the world that is the modern BBC, the commitment to a range of big band music actually means a real threat to one of the country's greatest musical assets, the BBC Big Band. Bob Shennan says “Although we have had to make difficult decisions in order to make savings in line with the rest of the BBC, I’ve taken this opportunity to create some new programmes and make changes to reinvigorate the Radio 2 schedule”. And, in effect, reduced and marginalised pre-Beatles music-making to the edges of the schedule.
Russell Davies’ show (Sun 9-10pm) will move to Monday nights (11pm-12midnight) for 26 weeks a year, with Jools Holland returning for the remainder. (This replaces "Mark Radcliffe's Music Club - Top music for now people")
Radio 2 is making a further commitment to Big Band music......
Clare Teal’s Sunday night show (10-11pm) will be extended as the network’s two big band music shows (Sun 10-11pm and Mon 9.30-10pm) are combined into a single live two-hour programme every Sunday from 9-11pm
Lewis Carnie, Radio 2 Head of Programmes, says: "I wanted to expand our Big Band programming but, with reduced funds across the BBC, we could no longer afford to commit to regular Big Band recordings. However, we are aware that our listeners love this kind of music, so we are giving our Sunday night audience an extended two-hour session of the tunes they love from the broadest range of Big Band music.”
In other strategic moves, people with a taste for Steve Lamacq's style of rock late on Thursday evenings can in future drift off to The Organist Entertains and Listen To The Band. In the world that is the modern BBC, the commitment to a range of big band music actually means a real threat to one of the country's greatest musical assets, the BBC Big Band. Bob Shennan says “Although we have had to make difficult decisions in order to make savings in line with the rest of the BBC, I’ve taken this opportunity to create some new programmes and make changes to reinvigorate the Radio 2 schedule”. And, in effect, reduced and marginalised pre-Beatles music-making to the edges of the schedule.
Other perspectives
Bits that appealed to me from the papers and elsewhere.....
Before parliament, Mr Thompson seemed oblivious to the fact that the “savings” on pay he boasted of achieving were merely the flipside of the waste that preceded them. FT Editorial
For poor Mr Kroll, a man who would make the perfect chairman of a village lawn bowls club, the torture was almost unwatchable. This fussy man who had obviously memorised the wording of the BBC Trust statute and was determined to live by it, was reduced to telling the world his salary, £238,000, and then failing to justify it by his lack lustre replies to questions to MPs who like bullies in the playground had gone after the weakest link. Chris Boffey, The Drum
If I’d been a Ryanair hostess, I would not have placed Mr Kroll by the emergency exit. Quentin Letts, Daily Mail
...the lesson here is that governance is about more than structures. Personalities count, too. The trust will be stronger for its mauling by MPs. Yet the MPs shouldn't sneer too much. The BBC remains a fine institution, making great programmes. The overwhelming majority of its staff operate to high ethical standards. The worst outcome would be if this episode gave succour to its detractors. Guardian Editorial
Put it this way. This time next year there’s unlikely to be a convivial reunion when the seven BBC – and ex-BBC – witnesses sitting uncomfortably side by side yesterday gather for dinner to have a laugh about the whole thing. After this display of “every man for himself”, several of them are unlikely to speak to each other ever again. Donald McIntyre, The Independent
Before parliament, Mr Thompson seemed oblivious to the fact that the “savings” on pay he boasted of achieving were merely the flipside of the waste that preceded them. FT Editorial
For poor Mr Kroll, a man who would make the perfect chairman of a village lawn bowls club, the torture was almost unwatchable. This fussy man who had obviously memorised the wording of the BBC Trust statute and was determined to live by it, was reduced to telling the world his salary, £238,000, and then failing to justify it by his lack lustre replies to questions to MPs who like bullies in the playground had gone after the weakest link. Chris Boffey, The Drum
If I’d been a Ryanair hostess, I would not have placed Mr Kroll by the emergency exit. Quentin Letts, Daily Mail
...the lesson here is that governance is about more than structures. Personalities count, too. The trust will be stronger for its mauling by MPs. Yet the MPs shouldn't sneer too much. The BBC remains a fine institution, making great programmes. The overwhelming majority of its staff operate to high ethical standards. The worst outcome would be if this episode gave succour to its detractors. Guardian Editorial
Put it this way. This time next year there’s unlikely to be a convivial reunion when the seven BBC – and ex-BBC – witnesses sitting uncomfortably side by side yesterday gather for dinner to have a laugh about the whole thing. After this display of “every man for himself”, several of them are unlikely to speak to each other ever again. Donald McIntyre, The Independent
Monday, September 9, 2013
Grim
As we expected, they came armed, with fire-crackers, leaked emails, stonewalls, sophistry, pedantry and posturing, to protect their own reputations first and foremost. There was no resolution. Nobody enhanced their career prospects. And nobody offered better solutions than those already being implemented by Lord Hall. Unedifying - and nearly every one of the Severance Seven was guilty of starting an answer with "So...".
Silver and gold
As we await the PAC, spare a thought for the subject of "Project Silver", Mark Byford. The exit strategy for the BBC's most recent DDG, and perhaps only Director of Journalism, has been subject to extraordinary scrutiny. We know about lump sums, payment in lieu of notice and in respect of holidays missed. We know there was no pension augmentation - so Mark either had to hang on for his full pension at 55 (birthday in June this year) or took it early at a discount, aged 53, when he finally handed on the candle of journalism in June 2011. One presumes it was based on his full salary, rather than the part-time role he finished up with. By my calcs, his basic for 32 years' service without discount could be £250k pa - but it's likely he purchased additional years over time, and the maximum would earn him just over £316k pa.
Anyway, relief will be at hand in November, when Mark's first book, A Name on a Wall: Two Men, Two Wars, Two Destinies
, about his father and a US Army victim of the Vietnam War with the same surname, will be published. Since I last mentioned it, the work has acquired some serious endorsements.
"One of the finest and most moving books I have read in a long time. It is calm and understated, and yet written with great emotional intensity. I found it hard to think about anything else for days after reading it" (John Simpson, BBC world affairs editor)
"We gaze at the names on war memorials and wonder, and now I know the reason why. This book is meticulous in its research, compelling in its structure. A marvellous book" (Sir Michael Parkinson, broadcaster)
"Quite simply a beautiful book. Mark Byford has a curious nature and a tender heart. I shall never look at a war memorial again without wondering who was the young man whose name is on a wall" (Dame Jenni Murray, broadcaster and author)
"A remarkable story that skilfully knits together heroic family history and the broader sweep of the tragedy of the Vietnam war. So moving and thoughtful, there has been no history of that conflict remotely like this one " (Andrew Marr, journalist and broadcaster)
Anyway, relief will be at hand in November, when Mark's first book, A Name on a Wall: Two Men, Two Wars, Two Destinies
, about his father and a US Army victim of the Vietnam War with the same surname, will be published. Since I last mentioned it, the work has acquired some serious endorsements."One of the finest and most moving books I have read in a long time. It is calm and understated, and yet written with great emotional intensity. I found it hard to think about anything else for days after reading it" (John Simpson, BBC world affairs editor)
"We gaze at the names on war memorials and wonder, and now I know the reason why. This book is meticulous in its research, compelling in its structure. A marvellous book" (Sir Michael Parkinson, broadcaster)
"Quite simply a beautiful book. Mark Byford has a curious nature and a tender heart. I shall never look at a war memorial again without wondering who was the young man whose name is on a wall" (Dame Jenni Murray, broadcaster and author)
"A remarkable story that skilfully knits together heroic family history and the broader sweep of the tragedy of the Vietnam war. So moving and thoughtful, there has been no history of that conflict remotely like this one " (Andrew Marr, journalist and broadcaster)
Choreography required
There's no doubt Margaret Hodge has enjoyed the limelight afforded by her role as Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee on Public Accounts. Today, she needs to demonstrate some intellectual muscle to match her crowd-pleasing questions.
She needs to come up with some route that will allow the BBC to resume its move from the jacuzzis of cash afforded by a licence fee deal set at inflation-plus, to the cold baths of 20% savings under the ineffably-daftly titled programme Delivering Quality First.
There'll be ugly scenes first. Thommo unwisely upped the ante with charges that former colleagues deliberately mislead the committee on how much they knew about severance deals. It could move from ugly to explosive, if The Times is right that Lord Patten has something about Savile up his sleeve.
In the end, the problem they're cracking on severance pay is relatively small. An extra two million or so on what were in effect compromise deals (and thus outside straightforward "entitlements") may not have been tightly monitored - but the cash allowed the dismantling of the Journalism Board, a grandiose praesidium created under Byford, on Thommo's watch, in 2006 - and obviously over-expensive just four years later. It wasn't just Byford who was made redundant.
If old hands like Caroline Thomson had still been around when the NAO team under Peter Gray were compiling their first report for the PAC on the severance deals, they'd have worked hard on alternative phrases to "beyond contractual entitlement" - Lord Patten had to work hard on the self-same issue when George Entwistle's exit deal was probed by the PAC. Fry, Patten, Agius, Lyons, Adams, Kroll and Thommo are all compelled to express outrage at phrases that challenge their competence on governance. What happened was pragmatic, right-ish at the time, but clearly wrong now. Let's hope Hodge can help them let steam off - and, as we say in the meeja, move on by tea-time.
She needs to come up with some route that will allow the BBC to resume its move from the jacuzzis of cash afforded by a licence fee deal set at inflation-plus, to the cold baths of 20% savings under the ineffably-daftly titled programme Delivering Quality First.
There'll be ugly scenes first. Thommo unwisely upped the ante with charges that former colleagues deliberately mislead the committee on how much they knew about severance deals. It could move from ugly to explosive, if The Times is right that Lord Patten has something about Savile up his sleeve.
In the end, the problem they're cracking on severance pay is relatively small. An extra two million or so on what were in effect compromise deals (and thus outside straightforward "entitlements") may not have been tightly monitored - but the cash allowed the dismantling of the Journalism Board, a grandiose praesidium created under Byford, on Thommo's watch, in 2006 - and obviously over-expensive just four years later. It wasn't just Byford who was made redundant.
If old hands like Caroline Thomson had still been around when the NAO team under Peter Gray were compiling their first report for the PAC on the severance deals, they'd have worked hard on alternative phrases to "beyond contractual entitlement" - Lord Patten had to work hard on the self-same issue when George Entwistle's exit deal was probed by the PAC. Fry, Patten, Agius, Lyons, Adams, Kroll and Thommo are all compelled to express outrage at phrases that challenge their competence on governance. What happened was pragmatic, right-ish at the time, but clearly wrong now. Let's hope Hodge can help them let steam off - and, as we say in the meeja, move on by tea-time.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Nick
There'll be some worried glances exchanged over the Weetabix in Wandsworth this morning - Nicholas Kroll, CB, 59, Director of The BBC Trust Unit, has been called forward from his usual place at Chairman Patten's elbow, into the front row of witnesses for Monday's Public Accounts Committee.
This means we'll have a Severance Seven on parade - much more euphonious than Six.....
With a degree in classics from Corpus Christi, Oxford, The Krollster went straight to the Civil Service, and, via The Treasury, Departments of Transport and Environment, emerged at the DCMS. There he rose to No 2, and in 2004, was handily placed when the BBC Trust was set up to replace the Board of Governors. For running the Unit from its offices in Great Portland Street, his package last year was £246,480. He has often claimed coffee on expenses.
Mark Thompson's written evidence to the PAC makes it clear that he believes dealing with The Director of the Trust Unit is the same as dealing with "The Trust"; the question Ma Hodge will ask is whether or not email acquiescence, if it is deemed so, from our Nick is equivalent to tacit approval.
Meanwhile the Telegraph and Times suggest we're seeing the last days of The Trust. It would be an uncomfortable irony if its first Director was its last - and thus redundant.
With a degree in classics from Corpus Christi, Oxford, The Krollster went straight to the Civil Service, and, via The Treasury, Departments of Transport and Environment, emerged at the DCMS. There he rose to No 2, and in 2004, was handily placed when the BBC Trust was set up to replace the Board of Governors. For running the Unit from its offices in Great Portland Street, his package last year was £246,480. He has often claimed coffee on expenses.
Mark Thompson's written evidence to the PAC makes it clear that he believes dealing with The Director of the Trust Unit is the same as dealing with "The Trust"; the question Ma Hodge will ask is whether or not email acquiescence, if it is deemed so, from our Nick is equivalent to tacit approval.
Meanwhile the Telegraph and Times suggest we're seeing the last days of The Trust. It would be an uncomfortable irony if its first Director was its last - and thus redundant.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Addendum
While I'm on, a sentence from Mark Thompson's 7th October 2010 note to the Chairman of the BBC Trust. "I intend shortly to close the post of Creative Director". Nearly three years on, Alan Yentob is still on the books.
Meanwhile....
Whilst the press may be focused on BBC severance payments, listeners are increasingly alarmed at what Bob Shennan is doing to Radio 2. There are widespread rumours that BBC Big Band Special, a fixture on the network since 1979, is being axed - and the band's session time at Maida Vale studios is being cut to a fifth of its current level. This has already spooked over 2,500 into a petition to reverse such a decision - if indeed it has been taken; it sits alongside an existing petition to save the Russell Davies show, totting up quite nicely at over 500, including signatories such as Les Reed and Simon May.
The Big Band's heritage can be traced back to 1928, with the formation of the BBC Dance Orchestra, under Jack Payne. In 1994 Controller Frances Line tried to drop it altogether, but the protests were sufficient for it to retain BBC support, albeit moving the band's members from staff to their current freelance status.
The BBC boasts five classical orchestras and the BBC Singers. Tony Hall says he couldn't exist without music - let's see what his range really is.
The Big Band's heritage can be traced back to 1928, with the formation of the BBC Dance Orchestra, under Jack Payne. In 1994 Controller Frances Line tried to drop it altogether, but the protests were sufficient for it to retain BBC support, albeit moving the band's members from staff to their current freelance status.
The BBC boasts five classical orchestras and the BBC Singers. Tony Hall says he couldn't exist without music - let's see what his range really is.
At odds
Mark Thompson duly delivered his lecture on newspaper economics to the Reuters Institute of Journalism gathering in Oxford last night. No mention of his current issues with his former employers; a sad shift to US spelling noted in "skeptical" and "merchandizing".
There will have been former BBC chums in the audience - but other former colleagues are lining up against him. BBC Trustees including Diane Coyle, Richard Ayre, David Liddiment and Alison Hastings have vouchsafed that they had no sight of deals for Byford and Baylay, causing so much interest ahead of Monday's Public Accounts Committee. One can feel a squeeze coming on operatives, rather than Trustees - does informing The Trust Unit (under Nicholas Kroll) equate directly with informing The Trust?
Meanwhile Lucy Adams has done one of those "oh, that memo.." confessions to her part in the construction of Project Silver. And those nasty MPs want Tony Hall (who won't be there on Monday) to give back £24k he got to boost his BBC pension, when he left Auntie for the Royal Opera House - presumably signed off by Greg Dyke, who beat him to the DG job that time.
There will have been former BBC chums in the audience - but other former colleagues are lining up against him. BBC Trustees including Diane Coyle, Richard Ayre, David Liddiment and Alison Hastings have vouchsafed that they had no sight of deals for Byford and Baylay, causing so much interest ahead of Monday's Public Accounts Committee. One can feel a squeeze coming on operatives, rather than Trustees - does informing The Trust Unit (under Nicholas Kroll) equate directly with informing The Trust?
Meanwhile Lucy Adams has done one of those "oh, that memo.." confessions to her part in the construction of Project Silver. And those nasty MPs want Tony Hall (who won't be there on Monday) to give back £24k he got to boost his BBC pension, when he left Auntie for the Royal Opera House - presumably signed off by Greg Dyke, who beat him to the DG job that time.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Pray
Only a Papal intervention now can save us from the sight of an unseemly BBC spat in front of the Commons Public Accounts Select Committee on Monday.
Two of the country's leading Catholics - Lord Patten and Mark Thompson - are so plainly at odds over who knew what when about severance payments to Mark Byford and Sharon Baylay, that even sharing the peace at St Aloysius Gonzaga in Oxford in Sunday seems impossible. And currently, it is quondam-arm-biter Mark who's leading, at least on depth of outrage, with a 13,000 word deposition to MPs, saying, sin of sins, they have been mislead.
The crusted officers of the BBC Trust Unit will spend the weekend on a line-by-line analysis of the Thompson position. The late discovery of the Project Silver briefing doesn't entirely help their position - but then nor does the eventual settlement to Byford help Thommo, being a new conflation, rather than any of the three options in the briefing note.
Meanwhile tonight Thommo lectures the Reuters Institute of Journalism in Oxford, on the subject of "Paying the Piper". Spookily, the website now says the event is "invitation only".
Two of the country's leading Catholics - Lord Patten and Mark Thompson - are so plainly at odds over who knew what when about severance payments to Mark Byford and Sharon Baylay, that even sharing the peace at St Aloysius Gonzaga in Oxford in Sunday seems impossible. And currently, it is quondam-arm-biter Mark who's leading, at least on depth of outrage, with a 13,000 word deposition to MPs, saying, sin of sins, they have been mislead.
The crusted officers of the BBC Trust Unit will spend the weekend on a line-by-line analysis of the Thompson position. The late discovery of the Project Silver briefing doesn't entirely help their position - but then nor does the eventual settlement to Byford help Thommo, being a new conflation, rather than any of the three options in the briefing note.
Meanwhile tonight Thommo lectures the Reuters Institute of Journalism in Oxford, on the subject of "Paying the Piper". Spookily, the website now says the event is "invitation only".
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Unprocessed
Resigning or not, BBC HR chief Lucy Adams can expect several unpleasant glares from Ma Hodge on Monday - simply in terms of process, the BBC was only able to demonstrate full approval had been obtained in 12 of the 150 cases reviewed by the National Audit Office.
And "resigning" at the BBC doesn't always mean what it says. The KPMG report issued yesterday looked at some previous cases, which it highlights as "well publicised operational incidents", probably involving quizzes, queens and Russell Brand. Here's the important para (PILON is not a new form of renewable energy, but Payment In Lieu Of Notice).
8 of the 40 consensual termination cases were identified by BBC management as “resignation” cases. In 4 of these 8 cases, the individuals entered into compromise agreements and resigned at the time of well publicised operational incidents at the BBC. These individuals received PILON and other termination payments as part of their severance package.
In 3 of the 8 cases, the individuals resigned for personal reasons and received PILON as they were not required to work their notice period, but no other termination payments.
In the remaining 1 case, the individual resigned for personal reasons and received termination payments of £15,308.
And "resigning" at the BBC doesn't always mean what it says. The KPMG report issued yesterday looked at some previous cases, which it highlights as "well publicised operational incidents", probably involving quizzes, queens and Russell Brand. Here's the important para (PILON is not a new form of renewable energy, but Payment In Lieu Of Notice).
8 of the 40 consensual termination cases were identified by BBC management as “resignation” cases. In 4 of these 8 cases, the individuals entered into compromise agreements and resigned at the time of well publicised operational incidents at the BBC. These individuals received PILON and other termination payments as part of their severance package.
In 3 of the 8 cases, the individuals resigned for personal reasons and received PILON as they were not required to work their notice period, but no other termination payments.
In the remaining 1 case, the individual resigned for personal reasons and received termination payments of £15,308.
It could have been worse
The note provided to the BBC Trust Unit about an exit strategy for Mark "Gold Commander turned Silver" Byford as Deputy Director General shows that Mark Thompson devoted some considerable thinking time about how to swing it. The big idea was to suggest that, however enormous a pay-off of more than £1m might seem, "historic custom and practice" would have cost more.
Reading between the lines "historic" might actually mean "recently". Guessing what lies beneath the black blob now becomes an important game for BBC staff and the PAC.
In this, Thommo deflects attention from an important new rule for execs, capping redundo at one year's salary, in play in 2002. For ordinary workers, this used to be capped at two year's pay (now under Lord Hall capped at £150k) - so the whole "custom and practice" of 12 months notice for the exec evolved post-2002 to give them back what they thought was theirs. The interesting thing about Mark's departure is that, so far, it seems a genuine redundancy -and Lord Hall is doing his best to keep the word "deputy" out of circulation. .
It's harder to argue that for Jana Bennett - she was Director of Vision, and there still is a Director of (Tele)Vision. Did she agree to the new opportunity offered in 2010 of "President, Worldwide Networks" (including significant international travel) offered by John Smith at Worldwide because of the challenge, or the fact there was a healthy redundancy pot, unachievable at Vision, at the end, if it didn't work out ?
Reading between the lines "historic" might actually mean "recently". Guessing what lies beneath the black blob now becomes an important game for BBC staff and the PAC.
In this, Thommo deflects attention from an important new rule for execs, capping redundo at one year's salary, in play in 2002. For ordinary workers, this used to be capped at two year's pay (now under Lord Hall capped at £150k) - so the whole "custom and practice" of 12 months notice for the exec evolved post-2002 to give them back what they thought was theirs. The interesting thing about Mark's departure is that, so far, it seems a genuine redundancy -and Lord Hall is doing his best to keep the word "deputy" out of circulation. .
It's harder to argue that for Jana Bennett - she was Director of Vision, and there still is a Director of (Tele)Vision. Did she agree to the new opportunity offered in 2010 of "President, Worldwide Networks" (including significant international travel) offered by John Smith at Worldwide because of the challenge, or the fact there was a healthy redundancy pot, unachievable at Vision, at the end, if it didn't work out ?
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