Check list

As we move into 2012 prediction mode, it's time to revisit my 10 DQF thoughts of April.


1: Upmarket wins every time. When this blog floated the idea of dropping Newsnight, the DG was swift to say it's safe. But the journalism workstream, under Bob Shennan, has been the quietest. Expect the News Channel to go down to single presentation in daytime, and the Daily Politics to shift from BBC2. 


There remain questions about Newsnight. With audiences at historically low levels, its costs per viewer are in turn historically high.  Expect more reporter and correspondent exits, even fewer films, and more "discussions".


 2: Upmarket wins every time. All quiet on the orchestras front this time round. Which other state broadcaster runs five of them ? 


Exactly where is the Orchestras report from John Myerscough ?  Unlike John Myers, Mr Myerscough's analyses tend to produce answers that say the arts produce terrific value, rather than identifying clever savings. The Trust will thus be cornered into saying find savings elsewhere...


 3: BBC local radio stations will still do news and live sport, but will struggle to protect music shows - both weekday and weekends. They could well be made to partner in some way with Radio 2, rather than Radio Five Live. 


Some more (and slicker) regional jazz, folk and new music shows would be the least worst outcome of cuts to local radio. But overall, a model campaign by local radio supporters will see cuts reduced - my guess, to 12%.


4: Andy Parfitt won't be replaced when he hangs up his boots at 1 and 1Xtra; Bob Shennan will manage the networks alongside 2, 6Music, the Asian Network and local radio music output in a new structure in the revamped Broadcasting House. The multi platform music ambitions of Radio 1 and 2 will, however, will be severely curtailed. 


OK, wrong. For the time being....


 5: Upmarket wins every time. Radio 3 and Radio 4 would rather make their own savings, thank you very much, so will simply be set "cost per hour" reduction targets; they've never previously succumbed to proper benchmarking, and look like getting away with it again.


There's still a chance of a good stooshie over the plans to make Radio 4 feature producers apply for their own jobs. Beware the wrath of Gillian Reynolds.


6: Sports rights. Barbara Slater has had her hands tied in every sports rights negotiation since coming to the post of Director. Rivals Sky, ITV and ESPN can now outbid at will. Luckily Wimbledon wants the BBC to do Wimbledon. It would suit the organisation to become a "highlights" operation. The Trust is disdainful of F1 and Championship football. Sadly the BBC will still be saddled with Trooping the Colour, the Marathon, the Great North Run, etc - but will drop the Lord Mayor's Show.  


Somebody must have squared dropping the Championship show at the end of this season with the Trust.  Doesn't this count as a "scope" reduction ?


7: Overnight TV: There's smoke and mirrors in the leak that overnight tv costs "£150m a year". There are good audiences to be had in the scheduled chat shows, etc - the repeats that follow after midnight, on BBC1, BBC2, BBC3 and BBC4 cost little to transmit by machine, and allow for the required number of signed versions to go out. 


The signed shows will start closer to midnight.


8: Daytime TV: Simply put, Liam Keelan's budget will be halved. Longer term - Blue Peter will be reduced to one new show a week ( can you tell when you see a new one ?) and all children's shows will be shifted out of BBC1 - but only when Freeview has rolled out round the country.


Yes, we told you Blue Peter was going weekly - in April. 


9: Other TV: The patience of all with Richard Klein and Janice Hadlow will run out. There has to be a more co-ordinated policy for BBC2 and BBC4. 


And there might not be separate "Controllers" for these channels beyond 2012.


10. There'll be more investment in costume, sorry, "quality" drama.


And a few Shakespeare plays will follow the Olympics.