Next: The Welsh

After BBC DG Tim Davie inexplicably engaged with the Tory 1922 committee of MPs in October, the Scottish National Party secured a similar opportunity for a behind-closed-doors meeting with their MSPs in Holyrood yesterday. 

Afterwards convenor Stuart McMillan said  "The SNP is a firm supporter of public broadcasting and today's meeting was an important opportunity for MSPs to engage directly with the director-general.

"This was a wide-ranging discussion which explored the recent cuts to Scotland-based programming, the importance of accuracy in reporting – particularly in news and current affairs – and declining public trust in the corporation and media more widely. SNP MSPs will continue to make the case for greater investment in the BBC's commissioning budget being spent in Scotland, as well as holding the UK Government to account for its sweeping cuts to the corporation's funding in recent years.

"I thank the director-general for his time today and look forward to assessing progress on the issues raised as we continue to hold the BBC to the highest standards to protect the future of public broadcasting in Scotland."

Singing together

Some new minutes from the BBC Board - but they've skipped publication of those for the November meeting.

The Board went to Cardiff for their December meeting. It was fully attended, so we can assume all members were either silent on the cuts to local radio, or their thoughts were not recorded. 

"The Board noted an update on changes to local services. Greater investment in online news provision had resulted in higher quality, more frequently refreshed news pages with greater prominence. Network News was now running more local stories with national prominence."

[With reference to 'higher quality', I offer in evidence to the contrary a range of dashcam footage; see previous posts]

In January, the Board met with Elan Closs Stephens still in the chair, but with Samir Shah in attendance as an observer.  They had a poke at the Commercial Board, about how much it was planning to give back to the public service side....

"Directors requested that the Commercial Board explore additional options regarding the dividend paid to the public service"

Company secretary Phil Harrold is guardian of the minutes, so presumably he skipped this paragraph, as the Chief Financial Officer sang choruses of "We're in the money". 

The board approved an amendment to the BBC’s signing authority protocol which provided for the addition of the Chief Financial Officer to the list of individuals considered as an Officer of the Corporation for the purposes of singing [sic]authority.

Trimming

Kelvin McKenzie, a columnist for those who have joined GB News' membership scheme, tells us that TalkTV is parting company with Vanessa Feltz. He claims her contract is worth £700k (something to remember when Huw Edwards' £450k is revealed).  Next week's schedule for TalkTV is not yet available; TalkRadio shows Vanessa still in place.

Dan Wootton, formerly of GB News,  claims 'leftie' Vanessa is on her way along with Nicola Thorpe, Rosanna Lockwood and JJ Anisiobi. 

Focus puller

Dame Melanie Scores-on-the Dawes of Ofcom wibbled and wobbled around 'strengthening the  regulation' of news channels during an election period this morning, and revealed she'd used focus groups to identify common themes.  In the small print, it's clear she's solicited the opinions of viewers already used to GB News and TalkTV to inform this new rigour, or lack of it:  "Of the 29 focus groups, this included 11 with audiences of channels where politicians have been presenting current affair programmes more regularly."

So members of political parties who are not candidates will be allowed to present 'current affairs' programmes during an election campaign. Nonsense. 

Imagine canvassing a group of Telegraph readers about Telegraph style and content, and expecting anything other than an endorsement of current practice.... 

Hannah promoted

Congratulations to Hannah Donat, promoted by Controller Sam Jackson to Director, Artistic Planning, The Proms. Hannah has been Artistic Producer of the Proms for the last seven years. Prior to this, she was Concerts Director of Britten Sinfonia, and previously worked for the Philharmonia Orchestra. 

She has artistic heritage: grandfather Wolf Suschitzky was Director of Photography on Get Carter, father Misha wrote the soundtrack for the Albert Finney vehicle, Charlie Bubbles, and then was a Radio 3 producer for 25 years, and is still a prolific writer of talks and sleeve notes. 

She lost her husband, Tobias Hill, in August last year. Here's Hannah from 12 years ago, offering some career advice. 

Positioning

An ad/promo for all things BBC aimed at North America consumers. 

Honoured to play a little part in this new ad campaign for the BBC across North America. A reminder that, as always, but especially in a massive election year around the world, we’ll just tell you what’s happening. You decide what you think about it. #bbc @bbcnews pic.twitter.com/Nm57DqbAY7

— Ben Thompson (@BenThompsonTV) April 23, 2024

The Royal Hunt

Here's a rum do. Usually-reliable Jake Kanter at Deadline says that likely internal candidates Mark Easton and Daniella Relph now face competition from outside, in the hunt for a  BBC News Royal Editor. It's not clear whether either have been interviewed, but a source said Easton had to complete a written test.  The job was posted externally six days ago, with applications closing 28th April. 

The ad, out of tone with previous BBC stances, suggests a hunt for a slightly uppity person, someone to "hold the monarchy to account", when appropriate. A younger Prince Charles thought only God could do that...    

Pointless

The second disappointment of the current pattern of BBC Local Radio:  there's been no real attempt to make the shared programmes that replace local output in any way distinctive, purposeful or just ear-grabbing. 

It's not as if the problem is new: Remember The Evening Show, launched in January 2013 ? "Great music and conversation as Mark Forrest brings together the best of BBC Local Radio." Mark ended his run in February 2017;  Georgey Spanswick came in, and lasted until May 2018 " Georgey replays some of her best bits from the last few years, hears from some singing dogs and looks ahead to the Rolling Stones concert in Coventry."

Here's some recent 'come-ons' from the new national late show, and other regional shows. 

What’s the single biggest change for the better you’ve made in YOUR life? #GivingUp #MovingOut #ChangingCourse? Back with you 😁from 10pm #LateNightBecky on your #BBCLocalRadio

— Becky Want (@BeckyWant) April 22, 2024

A surprising job, relationship, location? Ever ended up with somebody or something that you wouldn’t have expected in a million years!! #LateNightBecky from 10pm

— Becky Want (@BeckyWant) April 17, 2024

Concert ticket? Love note? Beer mat? What memento have you kept from the early days of your relationship? 💕💖#LateNightBecky from 10pm on your #BBCLocalRadio

— Becky Want (@BeckyWant) April 16, 2024

Give me something from your past which the younger generation can’t get their heads round😂😂 #LateNightBecky from 10pm #3TVChannels #ThePayphone #PaperTakeOutMenu #YellowPages

— Becky Want (@BeckyWant) April 11, 2024

Back on your radio tonight on BBC Local Radio across Yorkshire! 📻

I want to know what you’re celebrating? Big of small. Maybe it’s the longer days?Or your family? 🥳

Text in or tweet me ❤️

— Arzu Dutta (@arzudutta) April 15, 2024

Huw resigns

"Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC. After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors. The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don’t believe it appropriate to comment further."

The briefest of statements from the BBC Press Office, ending a stand-off between management and employee since Huw was suspended in July. The police have said there was no crime involved, but now we'll never know what the BBC investigation found, and whether they felt there was some potential for a disciplinary following suspension. 

Clearly Huw's doctors thought, innocent though he may be, there was no percentage in a more formal hearing. Indeed, the most elegant solution, at 62, is early retirement on medical grounds, with a healthy pension. 

Check it out

I wonder if BBC Verify will take on the 13 minutes of Gideon Falter in Holborn trying to get to Kingsway through a pro-Palestinian march. Perhaps they could indicate the careers of the two men in dark glasses, the video assistant and the personal assistant that were with him on this important journey. Presumably they will acknowledge that the police were ready to assist him safely to his destination, albeit via a circuitous route.