Getting bums on seats at the Royal Opera House has taught Lord Hall a few things about price points. There's a "just under" similarity in the first two BBC salaries he's set: James Purnell, on £295,000 and Anne Bulford, on £395,000. A mere coincidence, I'm sure, and HR boss Lucy Adams will have looked at Towers Perrin manuals, the Hutton Review of Fair Pay, the likely median multiples and much more, before giving in.
There's one piece of BBC spin that defeats me. It is apparently ok for Ms Bulford to get close to £400k, because she's replacing both Zarin Patel (CFO) and Caroline Thomson. Caroline's job as COO was abolished, wasn't it, BEFORE Ms Bulford's arrival ? The BBC has teetered on for nearly six months without her... Skipping over that, and assuming that Ms Bulford isn't actually doing two full-time jobs simultaneously, we need real assurance that savings are made in management posts directly below her new role - rather than more being spent, to cover the workload in different ways.
Elsewhere in money, as they say on BBC Breakfast, Director of Policy and Strategy John Tate seems to be beavering away to make savings. January saw a range of jobs advertised in a new wing of the thinker's empire - The Efficiency Service Team. The pitch ? "You’ll be part of a growing, dynamic team of individuals – including programme-makers, strategists and external experts. Working on a series of projects across the BBC reinventing the way we work – typically as part of a team of up to 10 people per project – aimed at helping the BBC focus on the future and make better output and smarter decisions".
Will the incoming Director of Strategy and Digital like this re-invention of Mr Tate's role ?
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Extra shots
The changes are tumbling pell mell out of the office of New York Times chief executive Mark Thompson. The company has struck a deal with Starbucks in the States, which will give daily access to up to 15 stories from The Grey Lady, if you're logged on to the Starbucks wifi network. If you take the cheapest coffee at around $1.40, that compares with a weekly NYT all digital sub of $8.75 a week. Via the Nieman Journalism Lab.
Making a point
Colleagues inside and outside Auntie are watching the Byron Myers v The BBC employment tribunal with interest. And attention to detail.
One has noted an entertaining construction in The Daily Mail's reporting of proceedings.
At the tribunal, Caspar Glyn QC, for the BBC, repeatedly accused Mr Myers of fabricating conversations to bolster his claims, suggesting he had ‘made up a series of wholly untrue fictional lies’. Mr Myers insisted he was telling the truth.
I've been searching for figures of speech that might cover this mangle, which, one assumes, the Mail man in court has noted accurately. Accumulation ? Commoratio ? Adynaton ? Complex epithet transference ?
Caspar seems a jolly bloke from his Twitter account, and has clearly recovered from a loss of voice last month.
One has noted an entertaining construction in The Daily Mail's reporting of proceedings.
At the tribunal, Caspar Glyn QC, for the BBC, repeatedly accused Mr Myers of fabricating conversations to bolster his claims, suggesting he had ‘made up a series of wholly untrue fictional lies’. Mr Myers insisted he was telling the truth.
I've been searching for figures of speech that might cover this mangle, which, one assumes, the Mail man in court has noted accurately. Accumulation ? Commoratio ? Adynaton ? Complex epithet transference ?
Caspar seems a jolly bloke from his Twitter account, and has clearly recovered from a loss of voice last month.
Still lost my voice but looking forward to miming to 200 people at the 2013 Scottish EHRC Discrimination Conference with @mhrubenstein
— Caspar Glyn QC (@casparglyn) January 20, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
One right at last...
Well, after a run of woeful predictions, I would like readers to note that the 'Anne Bulford back to the BBC' story started here.
Busy line
Just a catch up on former BBC DG Mark Thompson in his new job as CEO of the New York Times. In the last month or so, 30 staff at the paper have been given deals or laid off, and a range of promotions followed; the Boston Globe has been put up for sale; the International Herald Tribune is to be renamed the International New York Times; and Mark has been delivering pizza to the NYT team providing live streamed coverage of the Oscars.
So perhaps he just hasn't had time for the series of "town hall" meetings he promised NYT staff. These were delayed from December, because of the Pollard inquiry, and promised for early in the New Year. But we have one worrying element at large - a story in The Sunday Times (prop R Murdoch) claiming that lawyers for Helen Boaden say she telephoned Mark in December 2011 about the Newsnight allegations against Jimmy Savile. This story does not appear in any of the Pollard transcripts, emails or submissions published last week; it comes from freelance Miles Goslett. If true, it makes Mark's protestations of what he knew and when about JS difficult to maintain, to say the least. So far, there's no response from Boaden, Thompson or the NYT.
So perhaps he just hasn't had time for the series of "town hall" meetings he promised NYT staff. These were delayed from December, because of the Pollard inquiry, and promised for early in the New Year. But we have one worrying element at large - a story in The Sunday Times (prop R Murdoch) claiming that lawyers for Helen Boaden say she telephoned Mark in December 2011 about the Newsnight allegations against Jimmy Savile. This story does not appear in any of the Pollard transcripts, emails or submissions published last week; it comes from freelance Miles Goslett. If true, it makes Mark's protestations of what he knew and when about JS difficult to maintain, to say the least. So far, there's no response from Boaden, Thompson or the NYT.
Getting on with things
Some BBC News staff will be delighted to know that the Executive has approved the detail of an implementation plan to deliver the action plan that follows the recommendations of the Pollard inquiry. Others would prefer that all suits involved, intimately or at a distance, were made to mud wrestle on the Broadcasting House piazza until a victor emerged. He or she would then be appointed interim Head of Cultural Change and Savage Restructuring, until a full Executive "It's a Knockout" session could be properly staged when the weather gets warmer, with James Purnell as referee.
The action plan was discussed at an extra Executive meeting on 18th December 2012, but those minutes have not yet been published.
Other items: The Board approved something to do with games platform Spaceport.io - but we're not told whether Worldwide are putting more money in, or taking it out. The attendees list for the meeting shows Fran Unsworth attending as Acting Director of News - but, lo, the minutes suggest it was really Helen Boaden who was there, noting the relaunch of World News.
The action plan was discussed at an extra Executive meeting on 18th December 2012, but those minutes have not yet been published.
Other items: The Board approved something to do with games platform Spaceport.io - but we're not told whether Worldwide are putting more money in, or taking it out. The attendees list for the meeting shows Fran Unsworth attending as Acting Director of News - but, lo, the minutes suggest it was really Helen Boaden who was there, noting the relaunch of World News.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Half term
The One Show is live at 7pm on BBC 1 all this week. So I presumed that Alex Jones' foray into Radio 2 every day this week between 2am and 5am, would be recorded. The regular host, Alex Lester, invites emails etc, so he's likely to be live. Otherwise there's a compliance issue. And it seems that stand-in Alex is also live - Oscar results were included.
However, Alex J must have recorded this in the daylight, with the blinds closed. You have to guess the tune she's dancing to...
Also, in the real daytime on Radio 2, Jeremy Vine and Steve Wright are "off" at the same time, leaving listeners with Paddy O'Connell and Patrick Kielty.
However, Alex J must have recorded this in the daylight, with the blinds closed. You have to guess the tune she's dancing to...
Also, in the real daytime on Radio 2, Jeremy Vine and Steve Wright are "off" at the same time, leaving listeners with Paddy O'Connell and Patrick Kielty.
Tinker
I suspect Oliver Lacon is not his real name, but he's asked the BBC how much they've spent on their "Technology Refresh" programme at the Monitoring Service in Caversham. The FOI answer, for a "rich media content ingestion, production and delivery platform" is £8.3m. One element, a "source data repository" went live this month; the answer doesn't make it clear if the rest is already working.
The project started in 2007. The first tender estimated costs of £2m-£5m, and completion within a year.
The project started in 2007. The first tender estimated costs of £2m-£5m, and completion within a year.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Chinoiserie
Peter Horrocks, Director BBC Global News in evidence to Pollard
"It is like an episode of The Thick Of It … because there is an open plan office space where I work and Helen Boaden works, and then there is a glass screen and outside is [where] the director general works. There are a small number of meeting rooms, we are going in and out, playing different roles. Chinese walls where there are no walls."
I am reminded that Alan Yentob took the lead role in a 1967 Leeds University production of The Chinese Wall, by Max Frisch, which won a Sunday Times/NUS award. "Harold Hobson didn't think I was much good, but I didn't care. We played for a week in the West End, at the Garrick, and my face was on a big poster outside."
I'll also have a small bet with you that Lord (Tony) Hall doesn't adopt George Entwistle's open plan approach to BBC life - or glass boxes (both a legacy of Mark Thompson). I smell polished wood, solid doors - and perhaps space left behind for Mr Yentob, with or without posters.
"It is like an episode of The Thick Of It … because there is an open plan office space where I work and Helen Boaden works, and then there is a glass screen and outside is [where] the director general works. There are a small number of meeting rooms, we are going in and out, playing different roles. Chinese walls where there are no walls."
I am reminded that Alan Yentob took the lead role in a 1967 Leeds University production of The Chinese Wall, by Max Frisch, which won a Sunday Times/NUS award. "Harold Hobson didn't think I was much good, but I didn't care. We played for a week in the West End, at the Garrick, and my face was on a big poster outside."
I'll also have a small bet with you that Lord (Tony) Hall doesn't adopt George Entwistle's open plan approach to BBC life - or glass boxes (both a legacy of Mark Thompson). I smell polished wood, solid doors - and perhaps space left behind for Mr Yentob, with or without posters.
Don't be nervous
Regular readers will know what pleasure I take in the frailities of normal BBC job ads. No frisson, though, in those for the vacancies as Director of News and Director of Television out this morning - no role spec, essential, desirable etc; no spelling mistakes, no sign of psychometrics, no form. Just send a c.v. and a list of your previous opera roles a covering letter. Here are the guts of the News ad.
As a member of the Executive board, reporting to the Director-General, this role will play a significant part in the BBC’s strategy and output, ensuring that the BBC always holds the trust of the people who pay for it and distinguishes itself through the best possible content, effective distribution and organisational efficiency. You’ll also take an active role in leading a digital BBC that can make the most of new technologies and the global possibilities that they bring.
As an inspirational leader with a strong, clear vision, you’ll bring extensive experience of leadership in a creative organisation, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the public service ethos of the BBC.
And blow me down, the guts of the TV ad are exactly the same. One difference is that the tv role is categorised as "Content-making" and the news as "Journalism"; have we lifted a curtain on Tone's new structure ?
For either role, you have to apply by 10th March, and are invited to have a confidential chat with Annabel Dixon, Head of Resourcing and Talent. Ah, go on - she's not that frightening....
As a member of the Executive board, reporting to the Director-General, this role will play a significant part in the BBC’s strategy and output, ensuring that the BBC always holds the trust of the people who pay for it and distinguishes itself through the best possible content, effective distribution and organisational efficiency. You’ll also take an active role in leading a digital BBC that can make the most of new technologies and the global possibilities that they bring.
As an inspirational leader with a strong, clear vision, you’ll bring extensive experience of leadership in a creative organisation, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the public service ethos of the BBC.
And blow me down, the guts of the TV ad are exactly the same. One difference is that the tv role is categorised as "Content-making" and the news as "Journalism"; have we lifted a curtain on Tone's new structure ?
For either role, you have to apply by 10th March, and are invited to have a confidential chat with Annabel Dixon, Head of Resourcing and Talent. Ah, go on - she's not that frightening....
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Thought for today
Your esteemed blogger was invited to express an opinion on the Pollard annexes yesterday afternoon on the airwaves - and remains pleased he turned it down. I've read nearly all of the stuff now, and expect my opinions will change on a re-read.
But here's some early thoughts. First: I blame Birt.
He skipped a generation of editors when he arrived to run news as Deputy Director General. Jenny Abramsky became editor of radio news and current affairs in 1987 at the age of 41; Tony Hall became editor of television news and current affairs in 1990 at 39. Slowly but surely, everyone over the age of 45 in the division knew that their chances of a big job were gone. They either left, or hung on til exit deals arrived (then achievable at the age of 50). Depending on your view, time-servers or the acquired wisdom of experience went out of the door.
Whilst News is responsible for hours and hours of output, the only topics of internal debate are the 10 (or previously 9) O'Clock News on BBC1; Newsnight; Panorama; and Today on Radio 4. Ambitious young turks know they must not only run one or two of these shows, they must make an impact, to avoid Logan's Run, to join senior management, and then tilt at an Executive role. And they must make more impact than their contemporaries, inside and outside the BBC, as the pyramid of management becomes flatter, and there are fewer roles to tilt at. As an old colleague reminded me last month, part of the job specification to run the four Crown Jewel shows seemed to demand confidence-bordering-on-autocratic-arrogance - and that's what the teams that produced the glittering output liked, and often aped.
Now we start to run into trouble. Impact came to mean scoops - big interviews that make headlines and establishment-rattling investigations. As we moved through the Millennium, teams concealed and manouevred, to provide their leaders with the c.v. they required to progress. They rubbished others' work - across all forms of journalism. The leaders sought aggressive fixers, daring reporters, and brilliant but biddable minds; HR were left to pick up the pieces of those that didn't make the grade.
Budget cuts, however, meant that, if you didn't axe shows, you had to cut their resources. The easy cut is dedicated reporting and investigation effort - and managers like Helen Boaden and Steve Mitchell had to argue that young turks could "share" more stories, because the audience wouldn't mind. This is a message that makes no sense to the warring teams, and never has done.
Now we add some more of the Pollard/Savile protagonists to the mix, and look at their evidence and emails. Whatever Peter Rippon was like when he got the Newsnight job, by the time we come to the last quarter of 2011, we have a vacillator, who has largely "lost" the dressing room. We have Meirion Jones and Liz McKean, producer and reporter, who are certain that the story "stands up", and can't believe it's not running. We have a much wider circle across news who knew the story was coming, and then know it's dropped. In January and February, this gets worse, through the efforts of Miles Goslett, yapping at the BBC's heels. News' response is about protecting reputations. A position of high dudgeon is maintained - the story was dropped for editorial reasons (code for it didn't stand-up). At this stage, nobody does a forensic job on what Jones/McKean/Livingston actually had. As far as I can tell, neither Peter, or any manager above him ever watched the material that had been filmed. That may even have lasted until ITV made their version of the same story in October 2012.
This protection of reputation becomes an unwavering stance. Nothing must happen to stain Mark Thompson, in his final months as DG; as George emerges as his successor, we must protect his new role, and his history, as Director of Vision. As cock-up becomes clear with the award-winning ITV investigation, the hunt for a head on a pole becomes vicious. Panorama takes up the shining sword of unhelpfulness and lays into Newsnight, just like the good old days. Newsnight without Rippon seeks to regain the tough-guy title, and trips up entering the ring over McAlpine. The unspoken feuding between those in top roles, and those who would supplant them, is still going on when Pollard conducts his interviews; the rubbishing of other people's positions and actions takes columns and columns.
Meanwhile Pollard, surprisingly for a hack, gets tangled in process, and, presumably encouraged by barristers, remorsely pursues the issue of a-list-of-risky-programmes-in-the-making, with an interest close to OCD.
I can already smell a training course on list maintenance being part of the BBC's inevitable lessons-learned response. It's simpler than that. BBC News dropped one of the stories of the year, when it was in their hands. And the organisation spent a year fixated on the protection of reputations, as others looked for evidence that made the Savile story stronger - and more damaging to the wider BBC.
But here's some early thoughts. First: I blame Birt.
He skipped a generation of editors when he arrived to run news as Deputy Director General. Jenny Abramsky became editor of radio news and current affairs in 1987 at the age of 41; Tony Hall became editor of television news and current affairs in 1990 at 39. Slowly but surely, everyone over the age of 45 in the division knew that their chances of a big job were gone. They either left, or hung on til exit deals arrived (then achievable at the age of 50). Depending on your view, time-servers or the acquired wisdom of experience went out of the door.
Whilst News is responsible for hours and hours of output, the only topics of internal debate are the 10 (or previously 9) O'Clock News on BBC1; Newsnight; Panorama; and Today on Radio 4. Ambitious young turks know they must not only run one or two of these shows, they must make an impact, to avoid Logan's Run, to join senior management, and then tilt at an Executive role. And they must make more impact than their contemporaries, inside and outside the BBC, as the pyramid of management becomes flatter, and there are fewer roles to tilt at. As an old colleague reminded me last month, part of the job specification to run the four Crown Jewel shows seemed to demand confidence-bordering-on-autocratic-arrogance - and that's what the teams that produced the glittering output liked, and often aped.
Now we start to run into trouble. Impact came to mean scoops - big interviews that make headlines and establishment-rattling investigations. As we moved through the Millennium, teams concealed and manouevred, to provide their leaders with the c.v. they required to progress. They rubbished others' work - across all forms of journalism. The leaders sought aggressive fixers, daring reporters, and brilliant but biddable minds; HR were left to pick up the pieces of those that didn't make the grade.
Budget cuts, however, meant that, if you didn't axe shows, you had to cut their resources. The easy cut is dedicated reporting and investigation effort - and managers like Helen Boaden and Steve Mitchell had to argue that young turks could "share" more stories, because the audience wouldn't mind. This is a message that makes no sense to the warring teams, and never has done.
Now we add some more of the Pollard/Savile protagonists to the mix, and look at their evidence and emails. Whatever Peter Rippon was like when he got the Newsnight job, by the time we come to the last quarter of 2011, we have a vacillator, who has largely "lost" the dressing room. We have Meirion Jones and Liz McKean, producer and reporter, who are certain that the story "stands up", and can't believe it's not running. We have a much wider circle across news who knew the story was coming, and then know it's dropped. In January and February, this gets worse, through the efforts of Miles Goslett, yapping at the BBC's heels. News' response is about protecting reputations. A position of high dudgeon is maintained - the story was dropped for editorial reasons (code for it didn't stand-up). At this stage, nobody does a forensic job on what Jones/McKean/Livingston actually had. As far as I can tell, neither Peter, or any manager above him ever watched the material that had been filmed. That may even have lasted until ITV made their version of the same story in October 2012.
This protection of reputation becomes an unwavering stance. Nothing must happen to stain Mark Thompson, in his final months as DG; as George emerges as his successor, we must protect his new role, and his history, as Director of Vision. As cock-up becomes clear with the award-winning ITV investigation, the hunt for a head on a pole becomes vicious. Panorama takes up the shining sword of unhelpfulness and lays into Newsnight, just like the good old days. Newsnight without Rippon seeks to regain the tough-guy title, and trips up entering the ring over McAlpine. The unspoken feuding between those in top roles, and those who would supplant them, is still going on when Pollard conducts his interviews; the rubbishing of other people's positions and actions takes columns and columns.
Meanwhile Pollard, surprisingly for a hack, gets tangled in process, and, presumably encouraged by barristers, remorsely pursues the issue of a-list-of-risky-programmes-in-the-making, with an interest close to OCD.
I can already smell a training course on list maintenance being part of the BBC's inevitable lessons-learned response. It's simpler than that. BBC News dropped one of the stories of the year, when it was in their hands. And the organisation spent a year fixated on the protection of reputations, as others looked for evidence that made the Savile story stronger - and more damaging to the wider BBC.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Annexe highlights 6
Director of Communications Paul Mylrea (who's leaving the BBC, as James Purnell arrives) tells Pollard that "legal" were responsible for preparing George Entwistle for his Select Committee appearance, and the first, but not fatal,Today programme interview, not his team. Aaargh.
Annexe highlights 5
Lord Patten's views on lifers in BBC News suggests a bet on an outsider as the next Director of the division might be wise....
Annexe highlights 4
Lord Patten wasn't impressed with the PR support given to George Entwistle, even though he prevented them using David Yelland (ex-Sun editor) from Brunswisk. And, lo, Lord Birt pops up again .....
Annexe highlights 4
Them redactors are having a laugh. Here's Mr Pollard asking Steve Mitchell about Peter Rippon's qualities as a manager of journalists. Towards the end, even Mr Pollard's question gets inked - but the lonely answer, "It had not", remains.
Annexe highlights 3
Somebody - it's not clear whether they we're inside or outside Newsnight - really didn't like Peter Rippon's editorship. And had access to Helen Boaden to tell her so...
Annexe highlights 2
Too close for comfort: Helen Boaden explains to Nick Pollard about the style of the BBC corporate centre press team, then working under Paul Mylrea.
Annexe highlights 1
It's black ink, not Tippex or Snopaque. Here's a question to ex-Director of News Helen Boaden, about relationships inside Newsnight....
Twiglets
It looks like downloading the Pollard annexes and emails is going to be a long job - so here are some bits from tweets from those who've got in early.
From Paxman: "It is not any secret that xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
"The news division has been taken over by radio. These people belong to a different kind of culture"
From Paxman: "It is not any secret that xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
"The news division has been taken over by radio. These people belong to a different kind of culture"
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Selector !
The past comes to the aid of the displaced again, with former Newsnight editor Peter Rippon resurfacing as Editor, BBC Online Archive. He will be charged with developing an "Online Journal Of Record". This is apparently different from looking for cached stuff on Google, and doesn't require high pressure decisions. He has to choose a television and news bulletin from every day of the year from the last 80 years to put online in some form.
History also found a job for Adrian Van Klaveren, now looking after World War One centenary programmes - if it lasts for four years, he'll have more job security than many News colleagues.
History also found a job for Adrian Van Klaveren, now looking after World War One centenary programmes - if it lasts for four years, he'll have more job security than many News colleagues.
MIA ?
Still no sign of Paxo in the Newsnight chair. Next week's listings go Maitlis/Wark/Wark/Esler/TBA - and Jezzer hardly ever does Fridays.
Baying
Well done to Bay TV Liverpool, who have won the local tv licence for the area (strangely excluding North Wales - where nearly every other person's a Scouser at holiday time).
The bid features such stalwarts as Liam Fogarty, once a BBC correspondent, brother of Shelagh Fogarty on Five Live, and DJ Pete Price, who once had his bank account hanged so he could sign cheques "Pete 'Mr Personality' Price".
The bid features such stalwarts as Liam Fogarty, once a BBC correspondent, brother of Shelagh Fogarty on Five Live, and DJ Pete Price, who once had his bank account hanged so he could sign cheques "Pete 'Mr Personality' Price".
Sky go
Sky News has announced two interesting appointments. They've hired Telegraph news editor Matthew Bayley. It's a post they seem to have created around him - Head of Specialist Journalism - presumably to drive scoops.
And Sara Whitehead, who's had two years running foreign news, moves to manage the home team and become deputy head of newsgathering. This comes just as the BBC begins the hunt for someone to fill Jon Williams' shoes at foreign newsgathering; she might well have fancied a return to a (changed) landscape.
And Sara Whitehead, who's had two years running foreign news, moves to manage the home team and become deputy head of newsgathering. This comes just as the BBC begins the hunt for someone to fill Jon Williams' shoes at foreign newsgathering; she might well have fancied a return to a (changed) landscape.
Fishy
Never mind passing off horse as beef - in the United States, nearly 40 % of fish sold is not what the label or menu says.
The samples taken nationwide by Oceana found, for example, that 95% of the sushi restaurants they visited mislabelled something, most often snapper - which turned out to be anything from rockfish to tilapia and tilefish. In the New York area, 95% of fish sold as "white tuna" turned out to be snake mackerel or escolar - often guilty of causing a dodgy tummy. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, fish biologists call escolar the "ex-lax fish". Here's an entertaining blog from the States - from some who likes escolar, and advises on the precautions to take....
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
How much ?
Here's a simple question. To which the answer should be £x.x, with the x's filled in appropriately.
What was the total amount of money given to Jimmy Saville by the BBC before his death in 2011?
The BBC is apparently about to answer this Freedom of Information question, lodged in October 2012 last year, in a belated but interesting way.
I am preparing to disclose information in response to your FOI request [reference number RFI20121161]. Due to the age of the files in question, it has proved difficult to scan pages in sufficiently high quality. I therefore propose sending the disclosure documents to you in hard copy form. Could you please provide a physical address to which I can send the response ?
Let's hope the person who asked the questions has a magnifying glass, a calculator and a commitment to Freedom of Information greater than the BBC's.
What was the total amount of money given to Jimmy Saville by the BBC before his death in 2011?
The BBC is apparently about to answer this Freedom of Information question, lodged in October 2012 last year, in a belated but interesting way.
I am preparing to disclose information in response to your FOI request [reference number RFI20121161]. Due to the age of the files in question, it has proved difficult to scan pages in sufficiently high quality. I therefore propose sending the disclosure documents to you in hard copy form. Could you please provide a physical address to which I can send the response ?
Let's hope the person who asked the questions has a magnifying glass, a calculator and a commitment to Freedom of Information greater than the BBC's.
Wall pass
Congratulations to Jonathan Wall on his elevation to Controller, Radio 5 Live - in his words, the "best job in radio".
Peter Salmon, King of the North, congratulated him on his "enormous commitment". Does that refer to moving his family from London to Knutsford City Limits, as Deputy Controller, to be handy for Salford Quays? Peter himself has committed to finding a "family house" in the North by March this year - the Daily Mail seems to be on his case. In a previous role, at Granada, he did seem to have a Manchester address for a year.
One guesses the Salmon family could afford to retain their home in Twickenham as well. Or one might hope that Peter competes successfully for the role of Director of Television, on Tone's team - the advert will be out shortly.
Tone might have noted another "commitment" this week from his tv team. Zai Bennett, Controller BBC3, earmarked under Thommo for the next phase of MediaCityUK:‘Will I personally move to Salford? No way. I’ve got my family and personal life here in London.’
Peter Salmon, King of the North, congratulated him on his "enormous commitment". Does that refer to moving his family from London to Knutsford City Limits, as Deputy Controller, to be handy for Salford Quays? Peter himself has committed to finding a "family house" in the North by March this year - the Daily Mail seems to be on his case. In a previous role, at Granada, he did seem to have a Manchester address for a year.
One guesses the Salmon family could afford to retain their home in Twickenham as well. Or one might hope that Peter competes successfully for the role of Director of Television, on Tone's team - the advert will be out shortly.
Tone might have noted another "commitment" this week from his tv team. Zai Bennett, Controller BBC3, earmarked under Thommo for the next phase of MediaCityUK:‘Will I personally move to Salford? No way. I’ve got my family and personal life here in London.’
- Jonathan joins a handful of senior BBC people active on Twitter - Roger Mosey (a previous Controller of Five Live) Ralph Rivera (Director of Future Media) and Peter Horrocks (Director Global News).
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Legalled
It's been an entertaining first year for Sarah Jones as the BBC's top lawyer. She moved up to replace Nicholas Eldred in January 2012 (when the Newsnight team were still twitching about Peter Rippon deciding to drop the Savile investigation), and was in position for the deal to hold off action from Lord McAlpine against Newsnight in November.
Other minor tasks in 2012 have included selling Television Centre and sorting out Olympic rights and contracts. She's found time for EBU trips to Strasbourg and Istanbul, and declares that she also works as Deputy District Judge on the South Eastern circuit. This requires a minimum of 15 days (paid) work a year in Magistrate's Courts. She's on a package of close to £188k - compared with Mr Eldred's £228k (but then, he'd been in the job for ten years).
In 2007, the BBC had an estimated 100 lawyers on its books - it's probably closer to 75 now; unsurprisingly to a lawyer, there's an FOI question pending on the topic. There's also be interest in the full costs of the Pollard inquiry, now promised for "spring".
Sarah will feel comfortable at Lord (Tony) Hall's top table; she's another Oxford alumnus, graduating in 1983 from Lincoln College.
Other minor tasks in 2012 have included selling Television Centre and sorting out Olympic rights and contracts. She's found time for EBU trips to Strasbourg and Istanbul, and declares that she also works as Deputy District Judge on the South Eastern circuit. This requires a minimum of 15 days (paid) work a year in Magistrate's Courts. She's on a package of close to £188k - compared with Mr Eldred's £228k (but then, he'd been in the job for ten years).
In 2007, the BBC had an estimated 100 lawyers on its books - it's probably closer to 75 now; unsurprisingly to a lawyer, there's an FOI question pending on the topic. There's also be interest in the full costs of the Pollard inquiry, now promised for "spring".
Sarah will feel comfortable at Lord (Tony) Hall's top table; she's another Oxford alumnus, graduating in 1983 from Lincoln College.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Struck Part 3
 |
| Seth |
Newsnight is another strike casualty, and is replaced by Brian Cox on why Size Matters. Stop sniggering at the back !
Struck Part 2
Five Live kept the meters moving mid-morning with Rachael Hodges instead of Victoria Derbyshire, introducing clips of weekend and sport interviews. That was followed by sports reporter George Riley, in for Shelagh Fogarty.
The News channel, post-Gavin Grey, relied on BBC World News presenter Komla Dumor - as Gavin was shuttled back to Television Centre for the One O'Clock News on BBC1. This featured that favourite of many - the presenter abroad interviewing the correspondent abroad, for deep revelatory insights. On this occasion it was Jon Sopel grilling James Landale in Mumbai about David Cameron's visit. Both can claim they didn't cross a picket line. Later in the bulletin, outgoing Foreign Newsgathering boss Jon Williams was deployed to cover the BBC strike.
The News channel, post-Gavin Grey, relied on BBC World News presenter Komla Dumor - as Gavin was shuttled back to Television Centre for the One O'Clock News on BBC1. This featured that favourite of many - the presenter abroad interviewing the correspondent abroad, for deep revelatory insights. On this occasion it was Jon Sopel grilling James Landale in Mumbai about David Cameron's visit. Both can claim they didn't cross a picket line. Later in the bulletin, outgoing Foreign Newsgathering boss Jon Williams was deployed to cover the BBC strike.
Si monumentum....
Former DG George Entwistle DOES have a legacy at the BBC, according to the latest minutes of the Executive Board. His action plan seems to have lasted longer than he did.
"The Board noted that the 100 day plans initiated by George Entwistle had been reviewed by the Management Board. Some had now become business as usual matters and were progressing in line with current plans (e.g. Technology Review). Others had been paused until Tony Hall started."
My eyes lit up at "Technology Review", but the rest of the minutes are no help. There is, apparently, a new team running the elusive Digital Media Initiative, and plans for a new business case - which should delight the Public Accounts Committee and the National Audit Office. They'll also raise eyebrows at this note. "The Board was keen to understand how many £20m+ technology projects were currently underway.". You'd think with Zarin Patel (Money) and Ralph Rivera (Future Media) in the room, that should have been answered straightaway. Or are they not sure ?
"The Board noted that the 100 day plans initiated by George Entwistle had been reviewed by the Management Board. Some had now become business as usual matters and were progressing in line with current plans (e.g. Technology Review). Others had been paused until Tony Hall started."
My eyes lit up at "Technology Review", but the rest of the minutes are no help. There is, apparently, a new team running the elusive Digital Media Initiative, and plans for a new business case - which should delight the Public Accounts Committee and the National Audit Office. They'll also raise eyebrows at this note. "The Board was keen to understand how many £20m+ technology projects were currently underway.". You'd think with Zarin Patel (Money) and Ralph Rivera (Future Media) in the room, that should have been answered straightaway. Or are they not sure ?
Struck
The robot cameras are running in at least tv one studio deep below Dr Evil's Volcano News Lair, and a scratch news programme is on air in place of BBC Breakfast. Gavin Grey has been wheeled out again, and ,with support from business reporter Sally Bundock, half hours are going out on BBC1.
On Radio 4, Today, The World At One, PM and The World Tonight have already been excised from the schedules, as a result of the 24 hour strike called by the National Union of Journalists, over compulsory redundancies. On Radio 5Live, Stephen Nolan stopped at midnight, and Up All Night was replaced by recorded programmes. At 6, Ian Payne joined Clare McDonnell instead of Nicky Campbell at the microphone. On the World Service, short news bulletins and recorded programmes replaced Newsday. On 6Music, where news is often read by journalists, Alan Dedicoat was on hand. Moira Stewart was there as usual for the Chris Evans shows on Radio 2. .
In the "news where you are", there's no Good Morning Scotland. Radio Merseyside listeners report enjoying Radio Lancashire output. More titbits later.
The BBC2 schedules currently indicate a Newsnight, with Kirsty Wark, but one suspects that's no more than a hope.
On Radio 4, Today, The World At One, PM and The World Tonight have already been excised from the schedules, as a result of the 24 hour strike called by the National Union of Journalists, over compulsory redundancies. On Radio 5Live, Stephen Nolan stopped at midnight, and Up All Night was replaced by recorded programmes. At 6, Ian Payne joined Clare McDonnell instead of Nicky Campbell at the microphone. On the World Service, short news bulletins and recorded programmes replaced Newsday. On 6Music, where news is often read by journalists, Alan Dedicoat was on hand. Moira Stewart was there as usual for the Chris Evans shows on Radio 2. .
In the "news where you are", there's no Good Morning Scotland. Radio Merseyside listeners report enjoying Radio Lancashire output. More titbits later.
The BBC2 schedules currently indicate a Newsnight, with Kirsty Wark, but one suspects that's no more than a hope.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Cat walk
As the clock ticks to towards midnight, and managers move in to run BBC News for 24 hours, let's hope BBC Creative Director Alan Yentob is blasting through to a useful shift. A little earlier this evening, he was spotted in the front row of Paul Smith's offering for London Fashion Week.
Earlier this week, Alan opined on the return of James Purnell to the BBC, as Director of Strategy and Digital, after his sojourn in more overt politics. "He was one of the few Government ministers who you actually found going willingly to exhibitions and concerts all the time", said Al, and, more cryptically, "By bringing audience under one roof, it allows us to develop a more intuitive digital strategy". That must be good, mustn't it ?
Earlier this week, Alan opined on the return of James Purnell to the BBC, as Director of Strategy and Digital, after his sojourn in more overt politics. "He was one of the few Government ministers who you actually found going willingly to exhibitions and concerts all the time", said Al, and, more cryptically, "By bringing audience under one roof, it allows us to develop a more intuitive digital strategy". That must be good, mustn't it ?
It's only words
On Thursday, Cath-Kidston-overalled Under-Keepers at the BBC Trust will ritually seal the windows along the street side of their rooms at 180 Great Portland Street. With the piri-piri chicken skin aromas of Nando's thus excluded, the Trustees will assemble and scan the redacted Pollard Annexes. Those less discreet will go straight to the index, look for Horrocks and Paxman, and then turn to what are expected to be wide open spaces of white.
Publication is set for Friday. We note that Jeremy is still not in the presenter's chair at Newsnight - this coming week it's Wark (picket lines permitting), Esler, Esler, Esler and Mair. Eddie will be salivating already at the annex opportunity, with Acting Editor Karen O'Connor working on a containment plan.
Publication is set for Friday. We note that Jeremy is still not in the presenter's chair at Newsnight - this coming week it's Wark (picket lines permitting), Esler, Esler, Esler and Mair. Eddie will be salivating already at the annex opportunity, with Acting Editor Karen O'Connor working on a containment plan.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Yearning for home
If all 27 sold for the lowest price, Octagon get close to £48m.
There's still time...
In May 2008, The Spectator's Fraser Nelson said that James Purnell, then Work and Pensions Secretary, was the best person to succeed Gordon Brown. "Already surging ahead at his department, he has the gift of sounding like an ordinary human being — and he understands the Cameron Conservative party".
Later that year US focus group guru Frank Luntz tested how he might go down with voters. This video, below, looks to have come from a British tv programme and has been edited to suit the poster's view of Jim - but it's still quite fun....
Later that year US focus group guru Frank Luntz tested how he might go down with voters. This video, below, looks to have come from a British tv programme and has been edited to suit the poster's view of Jim - but it's still quite fun....
Head shaking
When you open your door to a new plumber, there's a clear expectation that they will rubbish the work of all previous plumbers. At the BBC, it seems Lord Hall is happy to go only so far with that tradition. He is a returning plumber, and harks back to the boss white days of Master Plumber Birt, to whom he was a mate. As was James Purnell.
So it's the more recent Mark Thompson structural changes of 2006 - to create "Journalism", "Vision", "Audio & Music" and "Future Media" - that have to be painted over. But it's not just about a return to plain language (and new signage) with News, Radio and Television: HR teams know that name changes are vital to one embedded BBC process - getting new people in, at bigger and better salaries, and getting old people out painlessly, because the pay-offs are so good. Ideally, the structural change behind the new name is genuine, but sometimes it's a veneer.
James Purnell joins as Head of Digital and Strategy, on £295k, with a seat on the Executive. Does this duplicate or replace the work of Ralph Rivera, Director of Future Media, on £295k, with a seat on the Executive ? Does he stay - or is he redundant ? James Purnell takes control of Communications - Paul Mylrea, Director of Communications, and more recently Director of Public Affairs (salary £154k) is leaving. Is he redundant, just feeling chilly or will he be replaced ?
If James Purnell is to be Number 2 to Lord Hall, does that set a benchmark salary ? Does Tim Davie, at Worldwide, need "global editorial strategy" added to his bow in order to maintain his package, at close to £350k?
So it's the more recent Mark Thompson structural changes of 2006 - to create "Journalism", "Vision", "Audio & Music" and "Future Media" - that have to be painted over. But it's not just about a return to plain language (and new signage) with News, Radio and Television: HR teams know that name changes are vital to one embedded BBC process - getting new people in, at bigger and better salaries, and getting old people out painlessly, because the pay-offs are so good. Ideally, the structural change behind the new name is genuine, but sometimes it's a veneer.
 |
| Paul Mylrea at Hampstead Heath |
If James Purnell is to be Number 2 to Lord Hall, does that set a benchmark salary ? Does Tim Davie, at Worldwide, need "global editorial strategy" added to his bow in order to maintain his package, at close to £350k?
Extending choice
So what does Lord (Tony) Hall of Birkenhead get when he hires James Purnell as Director Digital and Strategy at the BBC - for £295,000 a year ?
He gets a man with one month more experience (currently) than Maria Miller as Secretary of State for Culture.
He gets last season's joint top scorer (with 1) for Demon Eyes, a team in the Thames League, with home games played on worn-out artificial grass at Market Road in Islington. Demon Eyes was founded by James, Dan Corry, Tim Allan and Andy Burnham in 1998, from the ashes of a previous side known as Red Menace. Former players include David Miliband, Ed Balls and Ed Richards. More recent players include Stewart Owadally, a community organiser with the Movement for Change, William Paxton, a former adviser to Gordon Brown, and Tom Gash, programme director at the Institute For Government. Mr Purnell plays at centre back.
He gets an Arsenal fan, to add to the BBC's portfolio of Robert Peston, Roger Mosey, Melvyn Bragg, and Lord Patten.
He gets a Balliol, Oxford, alumnus - alongside Jim's friend, Stephanie Flanders. Other chums from James' unversity days include Yvette Cooper and former Conservative thinker Steve Hilton.
He gets someone with digital experience.
He gets a man with one month more experience (currently) than Maria Miller as Secretary of State for Culture.
He gets last season's joint top scorer (with 1) for Demon Eyes, a team in the Thames League, with home games played on worn-out artificial grass at Market Road in Islington. Demon Eyes was founded by James, Dan Corry, Tim Allan and Andy Burnham in 1998, from the ashes of a previous side known as Red Menace. Former players include David Miliband, Ed Balls and Ed Richards. More recent players include Stewart Owadally, a community organiser with the Movement for Change, William Paxton, a former adviser to Gordon Brown, and Tom Gash, programme director at the Institute For Government. Mr Purnell plays at centre back.
He gets an Arsenal fan, to add to the BBC's portfolio of Robert Peston, Roger Mosey, Melvyn Bragg, and Lord Patten.
He gets a Balliol, Oxford, alumnus - alongside Jim's friend, Stephanie Flanders. Other chums from James' unversity days include Yvette Cooper and former Conservative thinker Steve Hilton.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Whoosh
And, lo, the rumours were right. Helen Boaden moves from News to Audio & Music Radio, where many will welcome her re-appearance, and some won't. James Purnell comes back to the BBC, where he learned his strategy trade at the enormous feet of John Birt. This time he's in charge, as the Beeb's Head of Bigger and Better Blue Skies Via The Licence Fee, Please. (Is Tone banking on a Labour Government to be making that decision ?)
James has kept in touch with Auntie and the meeja from his role at the IPPR, and in touch with Lord Patten; he's also issued advice, via the FT: "The BBC should learn from the Birt era". Will John Tate, with his beginnings in Conservative strategy, survive his arrival ?
Watch now for James Harding, ex-editor of The Times, turning up in News. We tipped him for a Beeb future in December 2010 and December 2012.
Miffed people: Bob Shennan (and someone at The Guardian, who thought he was a shoo-in for radio elevation).
James has kept in touch with Auntie and the meeja from his role at the IPPR, and in touch with Lord Patten; he's also issued advice, via the FT: "The BBC should learn from the Birt era". Will John Tate, with his beginnings in Conservative strategy, survive his arrival ?
Watch now for James Harding, ex-editor of The Times, turning up in News. We tipped him for a Beeb future in December 2010 and December 2012.
Miffed people: Bob Shennan (and someone at The Guardian, who thought he was a shoo-in for radio elevation).
Riddled with self doubt
I've read bits of Ben Stephenson setting out his vision for BBC (tv) Drama earlier this week, and found it hard to take. The whole thing, just discovered, is even more indigestible. Here are some nuggets of blah and brown-nosing. If I were Lord Hall, I'd choose an office on another floor...
"2012 was the most successful year for BBC drama this century. A bold statement maybe, but thanks to all the people in this room and many who couldn’t make it, one I believe. So I wanted say thank you to everyone, as well as taking this opportunity to look forward to new horizons, new ambitions, and a BBC with an exciting new Director-General"
"Drama and the BBC are inseparable – it is written through the BBC like a stick of rock. No other broadcaster in the world has drama so firmly in its DNA. Knock down any BBC building and I firmly believe that what will be left in the ruins of a building is a writer writing a script".
"A couple of weeks ago I was lucky to be taken on a tour of the Royal Opera House by Lord Hall our new DG. I found both the space and my time in his company inspiring. We talked about the BBC as a cultural organisation with an international reputation, one to make us proud and that strengthens our creative muscles. When you go to the Royal Opera House or the National Theatre there is a buzz in the theatre before the curtain goes up. That buzz comes not just from what you are about to see but because the space, the history, the values of the place add up to something extraordinary. It’s that electric crackle of excitement that I want to create. I want to make BBC drama a cultural institution – a touchstone for quality and modernity with all the excitement and glamour of a curtain going up"
"I want audiences to feel that anticipation when they see our logo – when they hear there is a new BBC drama I want their expectations to be enormous and I want them to be tough if our ambition isn’t as huge as they demand. But crucially I want you – some of the best talent in the world - to feel genuinely excited about working for BBC drama. I hope the changes I have made to BBC drama in my 4 years in the job have helped – I think it feels more welcoming, broader, more driven by creative talent and crucially more fun. Of course we are a weighty institution with weighty – sometimes labyrinthine - processes, but as much as possible I want to bypass that and create a place that feels inspiringly creative – where there is a buzz of creativity and anything goes optimism. And that means setting our values out more clearly than ever, about articulating that we are the adventurous, gung ho market leader that the competition can only follow. It means continuing to foster the best possible culture we can inside and having the best team of staff in the country. I want to build a BBC drama department that has an enormous international reputation".
"As any of you who have heard me speak will know I tend to view the word international as a bit of a dirty word – it makes me think of euro puddings and pitches that have the budgets attached but no writers, it will probably also have a picture of a crown and sword on its laminated cover. At all costs we must protect our own British values - without that we having nothing to export - we are a cheaper imitation of Hollywood or a less Scandi version of Scandi. Why copy other countries when we can be the best at what only we can export?
"I want us to be international on our terms. That means making us more British than ever – rather than chasing naïve ambition to be a British HBO and chasing famous names, it is about applying the Danny Boyle vision to our work – a bold, adventurous, authorial approach that exports because of its Britishness not despite it. In Boyle’s vision of Britain, Mary Poppins sits alongside Brunel, Shakespeare alongside Bond.
"And so it should be at the BBC. And Britishness doesn’t mean we don't work with the best international talent. We should have open creative borders. But let me be clear, none of this talk of excellence is about being niche. I want packed houses to watch our shows. The ambition to be popular and brilliant runs through the BBC. I am being deliberately idealistic – because without a vision what do we have to aim for? Some of you will be thinking this all very well but you turned down my script last week, or you’re so slow. Of course we're never going to agree on everything and we’re all going to have our ups and downs. But whilst we are far from perfect I want to move with integrity at all times. We’re not there, but we want to be. I know other broadcasters talk about themselves as being paragons of virtue, but we’re not. We’ll keep getting better though. Ultimately I can boil this down to one thing – I want to make the BBC the hall mark of quality drama and the automatic home for the best talent in the world".
"2012 was the most successful year for BBC drama this century. A bold statement maybe, but thanks to all the people in this room and many who couldn’t make it, one I believe. So I wanted say thank you to everyone, as well as taking this opportunity to look forward to new horizons, new ambitions, and a BBC with an exciting new Director-General"
"Drama and the BBC are inseparable – it is written through the BBC like a stick of rock. No other broadcaster in the world has drama so firmly in its DNA. Knock down any BBC building and I firmly believe that what will be left in the ruins of a building is a writer writing a script".
"A couple of weeks ago I was lucky to be taken on a tour of the Royal Opera House by Lord Hall our new DG. I found both the space and my time in his company inspiring. We talked about the BBC as a cultural organisation with an international reputation, one to make us proud and that strengthens our creative muscles. When you go to the Royal Opera House or the National Theatre there is a buzz in the theatre before the curtain goes up. That buzz comes not just from what you are about to see but because the space, the history, the values of the place add up to something extraordinary. It’s that electric crackle of excitement that I want to create. I want to make BBC drama a cultural institution – a touchstone for quality and modernity with all the excitement and glamour of a curtain going up"
"I want audiences to feel that anticipation when they see our logo – when they hear there is a new BBC drama I want their expectations to be enormous and I want them to be tough if our ambition isn’t as huge as they demand. But crucially I want you – some of the best talent in the world - to feel genuinely excited about working for BBC drama. I hope the changes I have made to BBC drama in my 4 years in the job have helped – I think it feels more welcoming, broader, more driven by creative talent and crucially more fun. Of course we are a weighty institution with weighty – sometimes labyrinthine - processes, but as much as possible I want to bypass that and create a place that feels inspiringly creative – where there is a buzz of creativity and anything goes optimism. And that means setting our values out more clearly than ever, about articulating that we are the adventurous, gung ho market leader that the competition can only follow. It means continuing to foster the best possible culture we can inside and having the best team of staff in the country. I want to build a BBC drama department that has an enormous international reputation".
"As any of you who have heard me speak will know I tend to view the word international as a bit of a dirty word – it makes me think of euro puddings and pitches that have the budgets attached but no writers, it will probably also have a picture of a crown and sword on its laminated cover. At all costs we must protect our own British values - without that we having nothing to export - we are a cheaper imitation of Hollywood or a less Scandi version of Scandi. Why copy other countries when we can be the best at what only we can export?
"I want us to be international on our terms. That means making us more British than ever – rather than chasing naïve ambition to be a British HBO and chasing famous names, it is about applying the Danny Boyle vision to our work – a bold, adventurous, authorial approach that exports because of its Britishness not despite it. In Boyle’s vision of Britain, Mary Poppins sits alongside Brunel, Shakespeare alongside Bond.
"And so it should be at the BBC. And Britishness doesn’t mean we don't work with the best international talent. We should have open creative borders. But let me be clear, none of this talk of excellence is about being niche. I want packed houses to watch our shows. The ambition to be popular and brilliant runs through the BBC. I am being deliberately idealistic – because without a vision what do we have to aim for? Some of you will be thinking this all very well but you turned down my script last week, or you’re so slow. Of course we're never going to agree on everything and we’re all going to have our ups and downs. But whilst we are far from perfect I want to move with integrity at all times. We’re not there, but we want to be. I know other broadcasters talk about themselves as being paragons of virtue, but we’re not. We’ll keep getting better though. Ultimately I can boil this down to one thing – I want to make the BBC the hall mark of quality drama and the automatic home for the best talent in the world".
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Getting the message
The forthcoming closure of the BBC message board for The Archers (where the discussion ranges beyond Private Eye parody) marks the rise and fall of a form at one time generously embraced by Auntie.
When the BBC's new media pioneers realised these boards had to be be moderated, by people who had to be paid, to stay inside the laws of the land, the bottom line made no sense. Here's a list from the glory years...
When the BBC's new media pioneers realised these boards had to be be moderated, by people who had to be paid, to stay inside the laws of the land, the bottom line made no sense. Here's a list from the glory years...
Two stools
By my reckoning, the contingency planning at BBC News for the one-day strike this coming Monday called by the NUJ must be the most complicated ever.
In network tv news, various "suits" and trusties are required to keep studios alive - but now the pressure is doubled. The News Channel is still at Television Centre, whilst BBC World News is operating from new Broadcasting House. Two questions - are there enough middle managers to keep both going, and can enough of them cope with the new kit at BH ?
Meanwhile, the negotiations to find jobs - or deals - for those threated with compulsory redundancies will continue up to the wire. Those still threatened with an unwanted exit in Scotland have come down to eight, from nine. In London, the management lead for this thankless task used to be Steve Mitchell; I suspect, as he himself moves to the exit, someone else now has the pleasure...
In network tv news, various "suits" and trusties are required to keep studios alive - but now the pressure is doubled. The News Channel is still at Television Centre, whilst BBC World News is operating from new Broadcasting House. Two questions - are there enough middle managers to keep both going, and can enough of them cope with the new kit at BH ?
Meanwhile, the negotiations to find jobs - or deals - for those threated with compulsory redundancies will continue up to the wire. Those still threatened with an unwanted exit in Scotland have come down to eight, from nine. In London, the management lead for this thankless task used to be Steve Mitchell; I suspect, as he himself moves to the exit, someone else now has the pleasure...
Square feet
One follow-up from the news that Television Centre will be redeveloped to include at least 1,000 flats: estate agents Strutt and Parker have been "charged with selling 1,000 residential apartments there at roughly £1,000 psf".
Here's a map from CBRE showing how the £1,000 per square foot rate has spread out from the centre of London since 2005. TV Centre will drag the boundary across Wood Lane - though I fear it will be a few more years before it travels down South Africa Road, and we see studio flats there at over £300k.
By my rough calculation, flats in MediaCityUK run at around £400 per square foot.
Here's a map from CBRE showing how the £1,000 per square foot rate has spread out from the centre of London since 2005. TV Centre will drag the boundary across Wood Lane - though I fear it will be a few more years before it travels down South Africa Road, and we see studio flats there at over £300k.
By my rough calculation, flats in MediaCityUK run at around £400 per square foot.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Women Part Two
I know I'm joining in the Women's Hour game, but who, in the end, is more powerful than Sarah Millican ?
Is it Hilary Mantel, first woman to win the Man Booker Prize twice ? Should we consider (Baroness) Joan Bakewell ? A list without Diane Abbott, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Mary Berry, Delia Smith, Camelot CEO Dianne Thompson, National Lottery Heritage Fund boss Jenny Abramsky, Controller BBC 2 Janice Hadlow, Controller Radio 4 Gwyneth Williams, Davina McCall, Helena Kennedy, Keira Knightley, Fiona Bruce and Breakfast's most popular, Susannah Reid ?
Had white wine and soda been distributed to the judging panel ?
Is it Hilary Mantel, first woman to win the Man Booker Prize twice ? Should we consider (Baroness) Joan Bakewell ? A list without Diane Abbott, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Mary Berry, Delia Smith, Camelot CEO Dianne Thompson, National Lottery Heritage Fund boss Jenny Abramsky, Controller BBC 2 Janice Hadlow, Controller Radio 4 Gwyneth Williams, Davina McCall, Helena Kennedy, Keira Knightley, Fiona Bruce and Breakfast's most popular, Susannah Reid ?
Had white wine and soda been distributed to the judging panel ?
Women Part One
The clock ticks towards 10am in the Radio Theatre, ahead of the live edition of Women's Hour to announce their first annual Power List. Who better to whip up the audience into X-Factor-style frenzy than that old-style revivalist, Gwyneth Williams, Controller Radio 4 ? Sadly, she runs out of things to say ahead of time, and asks for questions.
"Why did you only issue tickets for this four days ago ? If I'd have been sure of a seat I could have purchased an advanced rail ticket to get here - instead, this free seat is costing me £100 return". And there was time for a couple more tails of audience travel woe before the welcome arrival of the pips and the on-air light...
"Why did you only issue tickets for this four days ago ? If I'd have been sure of a seat I could have purchased an advanced rail ticket to get here - instead, this free seat is costing me £100 return". And there was time for a couple more tails of audience travel woe before the welcome arrival of the pips and the on-air light...
Monday, February 11, 2013
Abgeworben
An entertaining reverse-ferret announced today by Liam Keelan, outgoing Controller of BBC Daytime on tv. He apparently rang his new employer, Stuart Murphy, at BSkyB on Friday, and said he wouldn't now be taking up the role of Director of Sky One, as revealed last December.
Instead, after 53 days of thought, he's opted for the newly-created post of Global Editorial Director in BBC Worldwide, presumably with the sanction of incoming CEO (and acting DG) Tim Davie. I can find no trace of this post being advertised, as the BBC scans the horizon to recruit the best people possible. An odd omen for Lord (Tony) Hall's tenure.
Liam has a degree in German Studies from Warwick University.
Instead, after 53 days of thought, he's opted for the newly-created post of Global Editorial Director in BBC Worldwide, presumably with the sanction of incoming CEO (and acting DG) Tim Davie. I can find no trace of this post being advertised, as the BBC scans the horizon to recruit the best people possible. An odd omen for Lord (Tony) Hall's tenure.
Liam has a degree in German Studies from Warwick University.
Banjaxed
As we move into a world of 4G, pads, tablets, mega-memory and nano-technology, America re-embraces the banjo in the Grammies, with big awards for Mumford & Sons (disclaimer: management team based in my road), Gotye, two nominations for The Lumineers and one for The Avett Brothers. I think I can detect a banjo on Carrie Underwood's Blown Away, and there's unsurprisingly one in the Steep Canyon Rangers. Last year Taylor Swift played a banjo at the Grammies.
It's all good news for a San Diego instrument maker, Deering Banjo, who have most of the above artists signed up. Their instruments start at around $500, and each takes about three hours to make - a speed which compares very favourably with Chinese competitors.
It's all good news for a San Diego instrument maker, Deering Banjo, who have most of the above artists signed up. Their instruments start at around $500, and each takes about three hours to make - a speed which compares very favourably with Chinese competitors.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Smart
Andy, 43, a business training consultant from Portsmouth with a degree in theatre studies, is Britain's Brightest 2013. But will there be a champion in 2014 ?
The final show of the BBC1 series bumped over the 5 million mark (average 5.15), inheriting a rugby, news and regional news audience. Mind you, ITV1 handed in the towel with a Nanny McPhee film running up to Take Me Out. Next week, Animal Antics gets a run out at 5pm, as we move into a run of Let's Dance for Comic Relief; still no sign of editions 5 and 6 of Richard Hammond's Secret Service.
Still up Danny Cohen's Saturday night sleeve: I Love My Country - eight shows recorded in December, with celebrities such as Ashley Banjo, Ricky Groves, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, Chelsee Healey and Susannah Reid.
The final show of the BBC1 series bumped over the 5 million mark (average 5.15), inheriting a rugby, news and regional news audience. Mind you, ITV1 handed in the towel with a Nanny McPhee film running up to Take Me Out. Next week, Animal Antics gets a run out at 5pm, as we move into a run of Let's Dance for Comic Relief; still no sign of editions 5 and 6 of Richard Hammond's Secret Service.
Still up Danny Cohen's Saturday night sleeve: I Love My Country - eight shows recorded in December, with celebrities such as Ashley Banjo, Ricky Groves, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, Chelsee Healey and Susannah Reid.
Taking stock
I'm never quite sure who reads this, but I'd quite like to see a little tv feature emerge soon using hidden cameras observing supermarket customers passing shelves where lasagne is on offer...
I know I behaved differently as I whipped up trolley speed through the local Sainsbury's chilled meals section yesterday; felt like moving quickly through a morgue.
I know I behaved differently as I whipped up trolley speed through the local Sainsbury's chilled meals section yesterday; felt like moving quickly through a morgue.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Puzzled
I have no inside track on Lord (Tony) Hall's plans for re-shaping the BBC Executive, but remain puzzled by yesterday's widespread assertions that he's offered Helen Boaden a move from News to Audio & Music. Is it possible that this is just one source bouncing round into credibility, or is there substance ?
Helen has reportedly been offered the job before (by George Entwistle) and turned it down. She's been nearly nine years at the head of News, and the first eight passed without major external criticism. Now, the argument goes, something "has to be done" about News and Helen, because of the Pollard report. It's an argument that suits some people, and not others.
I think Tone has three tasks, in this order, but all intertwined.
1: Stabilise the current executive, which has too many people acting, but in a way that doesn't b*gger up task 3. Note: Helen isn't "acting".
2: Bring in fresh executive talent (with a firm eye on improving gender balance). I suggest this is easiest to do in the current structure at Audio & Music. It is, after all, what John Birt did when he brought in Liz Forgan from The Guardian (though they fell out over moving Radio News and Current Affairs from Broadcasting House to Television Centre - spookily, that's now been reversed)
3: Restructure, as agreed with Lord Patten, within three months of arrival. I suspect that's taking up more of Tone's brain than the slide puzzle.
I think Tone has three tasks, in this order, but all intertwined.
1: Stabilise the current executive, which has too many people acting, but in a way that doesn't b*gger up task 3. Note: Helen isn't "acting".
2: Bring in fresh executive talent (with a firm eye on improving gender balance). I suggest this is easiest to do in the current structure at Audio & Music. It is, after all, what John Birt did when he brought in Liz Forgan from The Guardian (though they fell out over moving Radio News and Current Affairs from Broadcasting House to Television Centre - spookily, that's now been reversed)
3: Restructure, as agreed with Lord Patten, within three months of arrival. I suspect that's taking up more of Tone's brain than the slide puzzle.
Going back a bit
For those who think BBC World Service (in English) has changed too far and too fast, there's a new online archive under test - a store of some 70,000 radio programmes.
There are features, documentaries, dramas - and dramas. And an interesting way of picking up archive news pieces related to both today's news and events in the past.
You have to sign up to join in; I wonder if Aung San Suu Kyi is among those testing the Beta service.
You have to sign up to join in; I wonder if Aung San Suu Kyi is among those testing the Beta service.
Holiday time
There's an entertaining half-term week ahead for BBC management. The NUJ are planning a national one-day strike on Monday 18th February, ratcheting up the stakes over possible compulsory redundancies. In Scotland, union officials say six new posts have been advertised externally, while nine staff face the exit. The timing will disrupt various ski-ing and other holidays, as suits are called in to keep things going; for the striking workers, it's nicely added to a weekend. And, for the history books, it'll be the first time for pickets at Dr Evil's Volcano News Lair new Broadcasting House (phase 2).
The end of the week has been ear-marked for the publication of the (redacted) Pollard annexes. So marvel as executives pull together on Monday, and wonder how they ever managed to speak a civil word to each other on Friday.
The end of the week has been ear-marked for the publication of the (redacted) Pollard annexes. So marvel as executives pull together on Monday, and wonder how they ever managed to speak a civil word to each other on Friday.
Nudged
At the BBC, HR Director Lucy Adams has been leading a review called "Respect at work"; and has written to all staff with an update on progress.
"Over 850 of you got in touch ... one way or another and gave your thoughts on respect, behaviour and culture at the BBC today, including issues such as harassment (including sexual harassment) and bullying".
Contributions could be made anonymously, and whilst the review, started back in November, was not intended as a forum for specific complaints, it's more than likely that where a number of contributions mention the same person, the results will be more than uncomfortable. Watch for unexpected career moves - and reflect on those recently departed.
"Over 850 of you got in touch ... one way or another and gave your thoughts on respect, behaviour and culture at the BBC today, including issues such as harassment (including sexual harassment) and bullying".
Contributions could be made anonymously, and whilst the review, started back in November, was not intended as a forum for specific complaints, it's more than likely that where a number of contributions mention the same person, the results will be more than uncomfortable. Watch for unexpected career moves - and reflect on those recently departed.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Glued
Extracted from the Ofcom decision awarding the Manchester local tv franchise to Your TV...
"YourTV Manchester put forward a more ambitious proposal, backed by a strong advisory board which would help ensure the needs of the locality were taken into account.... it included a higher number of first run local hours, a higher proportion of local programming, and greater quantity of local programming throughout the day, all of which gave... confidence it would be more likely to broaden the range of programming made in and about the area, and more likely to meet the specific needs of an area this size."
I wonder if these programmes from the indicative schedule will survive through the 12 year licence.
1100 Saturday: Pet Clinic. Not only talented pets but a chance to help people care for and train their animals whether it [sic] is a horse or a mouse. Also look into lost pets, funny pet videos, exotic pets, and all aspects.
1130 Saturday: The Wedding Show. Everything you need to know about getting married whatever religion or none. Including lots of good wishes for those doing it today.
1800 Saturday: Pub Quiz Challenge where local teams compete with each other. Filmed on location
1330 Sunday: Your Best Shot; a montage of viewers best photos that have been sent in, set to music as background to Sunday lunch. We will make use wherever of sent in photo’s [sic] to use as backdrops, fillers etc to give the station a flavour of the area and this is the chance to bring them all together.
"YourTV Manchester put forward a more ambitious proposal, backed by a strong advisory board which would help ensure the needs of the locality were taken into account.... it included a higher number of first run local hours, a higher proportion of local programming, and greater quantity of local programming throughout the day, all of which gave... confidence it would be more likely to broaden the range of programming made in and about the area, and more likely to meet the specific needs of an area this size."
I wonder if these programmes from the indicative schedule will survive through the 12 year licence.
1100 Saturday: Pet Clinic. Not only talented pets but a chance to help people care for and train their animals whether it [sic] is a horse or a mouse. Also look into lost pets, funny pet videos, exotic pets, and all aspects.
1130 Saturday: The Wedding Show. Everything you need to know about getting married whatever religion or none. Including lots of good wishes for those doing it today.
1800 Saturday: Pub Quiz Challenge where local teams compete with each other. Filmed on location
1330 Sunday: Your Best Shot; a montage of viewers best photos that have been sent in, set to music as background to Sunday lunch. We will make use wherever of sent in photo’s [sic] to use as backdrops, fillers etc to give the station a flavour of the area and this is the chance to bring them all together.
Mad for it
Broadcasting eminence plus gris Sir Michael Lyons is back in the game. Former Chairman of the BBC Trust, he's now chairman of Your TV, which has bid for Hunt-inspired local tv franchises in Birmingham, Leeds, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Blackpool and Preston. Heigh ho, he's won that sticky wicket, Manchester, where Channel M clung on for 12 years under the Guardian Media Group, until closure last April.
Other members of the Your TV team include Nick Wheeler, ex of LBC/IRN/ITN, and radio market researcher Deanna Hallett.
Some of the funding will come from the licence fee. Let's hope the BBC side enjoy giving Sir Michael some extended and detailed scrutiny.
Other members of the Your TV team include Nick Wheeler, ex of LBC/IRN/ITN, and radio market researcher Deanna Hallett.
Some of the funding will come from the licence fee. Let's hope the BBC side enjoy giving Sir Michael some extended and detailed scrutiny.
Navigable
This is fun - probably more fun on a pc than a mobile. Radio 1 and 1Xtra's penthouse production space at new Broadcasting House has been given a Google "Streetview" page. Take a stroll around. Hat tip to Sam Bailey.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Smooth operator
The well-turned out John Smith, who has departed the BBC, should remain booted and suited in style for some time; he's been appointed COO of the Burberry Group, where he has been a non-executive director since 2009.
No salary has been disclosed. His package at BBC Worldwide in 2011/12 delivered a whopping £898k in base pay, bonuses and enhanced pension payments - and as a long serving member of the original BBC Pension Scheme, there's no embarrassment of a cap to his monthly payments when he takes them.
No salary has been disclosed. His package at BBC Worldwide in 2011/12 delivered a whopping £898k in base pay, bonuses and enhanced pension payments - and as a long serving member of the original BBC Pension Scheme, there's no embarrassment of a cap to his monthly payments when he takes them.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Puff puff
White smoke is expected this week as BBC executives select the next Controller of Radio Five Live. I'm not sure whether the chimney will be in London or Salford, but King of The North Peter Salmon will seek to make the formal announcement.
Acting Controller Jonathan Wall has invited comment on how the station is doing in a blogpost about recent audiences figures, and a range of regulars have snapped at the opportunity. Will the board members have perused the comments before the interviews ?
Acting Controller Jonathan Wall has invited comment on how the station is doing in a blogpost about recent audiences figures, and a range of regulars have snapped at the opportunity. Will the board members have perused the comments before the interviews ?
Thenardiers required
Continuing today's catering theme, here's a resettlement opportunity for you...
Horse and Groom,
128 Great Portland Street, London W1W 6PS
Live-in COUPLE required to manage well maintained pub trading on two floors serving drink and branded food menu situated near new BBC headquarters. £1,500 bond essential. Full training available.
www.samuelsmithbrewery.co.uk
beer brewed at Yorkshire's oldest brewery - est 1758
The pub had to shut its doors earlier this week, when the previous incumbents unexpectedly left the scene. Unusually for a Sam Smith's pub, the hand-pumps were removed a number of years ago, to the dismay of real ale drinkers. They may be on their way back....
Horse and Groom,
128 Great Portland Street, London W1W 6PS
Live-in COUPLE required to manage well maintained pub trading on two floors serving drink and branded food menu situated near new BBC headquarters. £1,500 bond essential. Full training available.
www.samuelsmithbrewery.co.uk
beer brewed at Yorkshire's oldest brewery - est 1758
The pub had to shut its doors earlier this week, when the previous incumbents unexpectedly left the scene. Unusually for a Sam Smith's pub, the hand-pumps were removed a number of years ago, to the dismay of real ale drinkers. They may be on their way back....
Mr Pastry
Deepjoy at new Broadcasting House. "The Home of Fresh Baking" is on its way to Great Portland Street, W1. Greggs' latest branch may not yet have jacket potatoes on the menu, to sate the educated palates of the ingrates moving into the BBC's HQ from W12. But it should mean they realise that there is a world of food on their doorstep, and the sooner they stop complaining about food queues in their licence-fee-built fun factory, the sooner they'll get out of the pages of The Telegraph and The Mail.
Like it used to be ?
In the "small world, innit ?" department, it's been announced that BBC Trustee Richard Ayre will be leading a service review of BBC News this summer.
No doubt he'll be mentally measuring progress in the division since, say, 1996 to 2000, when he ran things as Number 2 to Tony, now Lord, Hall.
No doubt he'll be mentally measuring progress in the division since, say, 1996 to 2000, when he ran things as Number 2 to Tony, now Lord, Hall.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Routine matter
The NUJ are ramping up for the arrival of Lord Hall as Director General of the BBC. Their current mandate for calling a strike (over compulsory redundancies) runs out in March. How they wish that might extend to 2 April - Tone's first day.
The union says there are worries about possible compulsory redundancies in Scotland (9 still to be settled), Newsbeat, Five Live, staff on the Big Screens, Asian Network and the World Service. Currently, the BBC is advertising at least six jobs for journalists externally; presumably there are more only visible to insiders.
Meanwhile BBC HR supremo Lucy Adams will be organising another re-training course for her team of advisers (vacancies there, too - "never has there been a more exciting time to be in HR at the BBC"). The BBC has lost an industrial tribunal brought by the NUJ against the compulsory dismissal of Russell Maddicks, a Latin American specialist at the Monitoring Service in Caversham, run by Dr Chris Westcott. The judgement notes that Russell's internal appeal against the sack, conducted by the Doctor (and, one presumes, an HR helper) "started without the claimant and his representative having all the documentation they had asked for. Rather than allow the claimant to present his argument he asked a series of questions. He undertook an investigation after the meeting had concluded without giving the claimant the opportunity of hearing what his investigation had revealed and responding. The fact the BBC routinely conducts appeals in that way it does not make it reasonable in the circumstances of this case".
The union says there are worries about possible compulsory redundancies in Scotland (9 still to be settled), Newsbeat, Five Live, staff on the Big Screens, Asian Network and the World Service. Currently, the BBC is advertising at least six jobs for journalists externally; presumably there are more only visible to insiders.
Meanwhile BBC HR supremo Lucy Adams will be organising another re-training course for her team of advisers (vacancies there, too - "never has there been a more exciting time to be in HR at the BBC"). The BBC has lost an industrial tribunal brought by the NUJ against the compulsory dismissal of Russell Maddicks, a Latin American specialist at the Monitoring Service in Caversham, run by Dr Chris Westcott. The judgement notes that Russell's internal appeal against the sack, conducted by the Doctor (and, one presumes, an HR helper) "started without the claimant and his representative having all the documentation they had asked for. Rather than allow the claimant to present his argument he asked a series of questions. He undertook an investigation after the meeting had concluded without giving the claimant the opportunity of hearing what his investigation had revealed and responding. The fact the BBC routinely conducts appeals in that way it does not make it reasonable in the circumstances of this case".
Monday, February 4, 2013
Modelling
If anyone wants to see what TV Centre will look like with only BBC Studios and BBC Worldwide on site, there's a public exhibition, where you can make comments, running this week, in the reception there.
Pictures as soon as we get them...
Reception BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, W12
5 February 2013 14.00 – 20.00
6 February 2013 10.00 – 20.00
Pictures as soon as we get them...
Reception BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, W12
5 February 2013 14.00 – 20.00
6 February 2013 10.00 – 20.00
Choo
Grand Central Station celebrates 100 years. Onetime home to a weekly radio drama show, and CBS News.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Time Lady
In a division famous for cries of "Assistant Heads will roll" at the first sign of discovered cock-up, it seems the Siege Perilous has been filled at BBC News. According to Broadcast, Fran Unsworth has landed the additional role of BBC deputy director of news on a permanent basis, making her Number 2 to Helen Boaden.
This was part of Steve Mitchell's portfolio - he resigned on the day of publication of the Pollard report. Fran will retain her role as Head of Newsgathering, looking after reporters, correspondents and their support systems.
This latest appointment will have presumably been sanctioned by Lord Hall, and thus will leave others who craved elevation bemused as to their prospects. The role of deputy at News was previously filled as a job in its own right - with giant brains like Richard Ayre (now a Trustee) and Mark Damazer (now Master of St Peter's Oxford) opining on the daily direction of the news agenda, at meetings which became known as The Time Lords (a nickname I may well have bestowed).
Flickering
To follow on last week's concern for the saintly Balding and Britain's Brightest, last night's shortened show attracted an improved 4.3m viewers. However, that means at least half a million switched off or over, after a celebrity edition of Pointless (a repeat from 2011) scored closed to 4.9m.
Miniature
The Mail has picked up on a BBC dilemma - should executives commission a portrait of George Entwistle, as they have done with every preceding Director General ?
The suggestion, from dog-with-BBC-bone freelance Miles Goslett, is that George should pay for it himself. I have a better answer - set an appropriate size. There used to be a constraint on how big the portraits should be - partially defined by the dimensions of the oak panelling in the Council Chamber in Broadcasting House, but more recently by the fact that artists up their rates for larger pictures. Famously, John Birt escaped the attentions of his paymasters in his sittings, and went large - 148cm by 123cm (estimated). Things were brought back to an appropriate scale for Greg Dyke - a mere 117cm x 86cm. Even Lord Reith was only 126cm x 100cm.
Expect to see the unveiling of an Entwistle mugshot in a year's time - 54cm x 54cm.
The suggestion, from dog-with-BBC-bone freelance Miles Goslett, is that George should pay for it himself. I have a better answer - set an appropriate size. There used to be a constraint on how big the portraits should be - partially defined by the dimensions of the oak panelling in the Council Chamber in Broadcasting House, but more recently by the fact that artists up their rates for larger pictures. Famously, John Birt escaped the attentions of his paymasters in his sittings, and went large - 148cm by 123cm (estimated). Things were brought back to an appropriate scale for Greg Dyke - a mere 117cm x 86cm. Even Lord Reith was only 126cm x 100cm.
Expect to see the unveiling of an Entwistle mugshot in a year's time - 54cm x 54cm.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
McFlurry
Has there been loose talk in Scotland ? The Herald suggests BBC2's Review Show, which keeps Martha Kearney and others in train and plane tickets to Glasgow on a Friday night, could become a monthly event, in a "shake-up" of tv arts programming. The suggestion is that the slot, following a truncated Newsnight, will be freed up on other Fridays to new output chosen by arts supremo Jonty Claypole.
Friday, February 1, 2013
When Katie didn't...
Katie Couric recounts the tale of going on a date with Larry King when she was 30. By my reckoning, Larry would have been 53 - and perhaps even creepier than Piers Morgan...
Change
In a lifetime spent backing a number of wrong horses, I'm on the verge of completing a trio with Sony.
My first colour tv was a 13" Sony Trinitron, bought in 1974. That was a real stayer. I bought it after observing BBC riggers throwing them from person to person at outside broadcasts with no ill effect. It finally went to the tip after 14 years' service, when the only colour it could produce (in addition to black and white) was green.
Naturally in the battle of video recorders, I couldn't imagine Sony Betamax being beaten by the group of Johnny-come-latelies backing VHS. Duff call - though not perhaps as duff as my old dad, who chose Philips V2000.
Now I learn that Sony are stopping making Minidisc players in March. I chose a four-track Minidisc mixer as my "gift" from the BBC after 25 year's service. It was a long-time before I made it work - it uses data Minidiscs, not music Minidiscs.
My first colour tv was a 13" Sony Trinitron, bought in 1974. That was a real stayer. I bought it after observing BBC riggers throwing them from person to person at outside broadcasts with no ill effect. It finally went to the tip after 14 years' service, when the only colour it could produce (in addition to black and white) was green.
Naturally in the battle of video recorders, I couldn't imagine Sony Betamax being beaten by the group of Johnny-come-latelies backing VHS. Duff call - though not perhaps as duff as my old dad, who chose Philips V2000.
Now I learn that Sony are stopping making Minidisc players in March. I chose a four-track Minidisc mixer as my "gift" from the BBC after 25 year's service. It was a long-time before I made it work - it uses data Minidiscs, not music Minidiscs.
- It was a marvellous 25 year's celebration. Jenny Abramksy read selections from my personal file - including a puzzled letter of reference from my college tutor, who couldn't really imagine why anyone would want to employ me.
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