The PR-monster that is the John-Simpson-self-publicity machine has cranked into gear ahead of the publication of his novel, Moscow Midnight.
The BBC's part-time World Affairs Editor, now 74, has granted an 'exclusive' interview to the Mail on Sunday's Event magazine. The Mail understands that key characters in the novel have some real-life parallels, featuring 'a heroic reporter, Jon Swift, whose nemesis is a craven, risk-averse head of news, Daniel Porchester.' Could they be Simpson and the previous Director of BBC News, James Harding ?
Simpson says of Mr Harding: ‘He came in believing the BBC had far too many old white men at the top. I realised I was being propelled towards the exit with soap on the threshold to make sure I skidded through. By the end I was on my knees, clinging on by my fingernails… I wasn’t travelling, big stories I thought I ought to be doing, such as the official report into the Iraq war, were assigned to other people. They started to cut my pay down by two-thirds… He wanted rid of me.’
‘What really p***** me off about trying to get rid of older people is that it is based on your date of birth, not the quality of your reporting. That is why I am so deeply offended someone tried to get rid of me solely on those grounds. I don’t think there is any difference in my capabilities now and 20 years ago.’
Mr Simpson's sensitive ego seems to have been smoothed by current News boss Fran Unsworth, who has apparently assured him he's part of ‘the history and architecture of BBC News’.
‘There’s a real sense of relief that someone who doesn’t have to learn on the job is in charge.’
Mail on Sunday readers will be familiar with key elements of this 'exclusive', last published by paper five months ago.
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Deal
Whilst James Harding's new media venture crawls forward at testudinidal pace, Mrs Harding's new venture - a novel - is gaining pace.
'The Truants' by Kate Weinberg, yet to be published in the UK, has been sold to Putnam (part of Penguin) in the USA by agent Clare Conrad at Janklow & Nesbit UK. For new readers, the novel, picked up by Bloomsbury in the UK, is “a seductive and thrilling coming-of-age novel about obsession and deceit on a college campus, in which a shocking love triangle and a heartbreaking betrayal will fuel one woman’s search for the truth.”
'The Truants' by Kate Weinberg, yet to be published in the UK, has been sold to Putnam (part of Penguin) in the USA by agent Clare Conrad at Janklow & Nesbit UK. For new readers, the novel, picked up by Bloomsbury in the UK, is “a seductive and thrilling coming-of-age novel about obsession and deceit on a college campus, in which a shocking love triangle and a heartbreaking betrayal will fuel one woman’s search for the truth.”
Reality bites
Prison - is that the reason the re-build of the EastEnders set keeps coming back for more ?
Project E20 seems to be a standing item on the BBC Board agenda these days. The current plotline has Danny 'Melodrama' Dyer giving full rein to his immense acting horsepower, on remand and fearlessly giving inmates Chinese burns. Is this extravagance - the set, the extra actors, Danny on parade every day - the work of the outgoing executive producer John Yorke or the incoming Kate Oates ?
I reckon the prison set is using project offices, and that Danny will miraculously escape a full sentence.
Project E20 seems to be a standing item on the BBC Board agenda these days. The current plotline has Danny 'Melodrama' Dyer giving full rein to his immense acting horsepower, on remand and fearlessly giving inmates Chinese burns. Is this extravagance - the set, the extra actors, Danny on parade every day - the work of the outgoing executive producer John Yorke or the incoming Kate Oates ?
I reckon the prison set is using project offices, and that Danny will miraculously escape a full sentence.
Dates
It's three years and one month since Kids Company went bust.
It's a year and two months since the Insolvency Service notified eight directors and the former CEO of Kids Company that the Business Secretary would seek to disqualify them from holding company director posts for between two and a half and six years.
It's nine months since the Insolvency Service 'deadline' for the nine to accept 'voluntary bans' to avoid formal proceedings.
It's five months since one of the Kids Company directors, Sunetra Atkinson, accepted a two and a half year ban.
What's occurring ?
It's a year and two months since the Insolvency Service notified eight directors and the former CEO of Kids Company that the Business Secretary would seek to disqualify them from holding company director posts for between two and a half and six years.
It's nine months since the Insolvency Service 'deadline' for the nine to accept 'voluntary bans' to avoid formal proceedings.
It's five months since one of the Kids Company directors, Sunetra Atkinson, accepted a two and a half year ban.
What's occurring ?
Friday, September 28, 2018
Musical women
Woman's Hour joins in the national glee-fest that is BBC Music Day with a Top Forty Power List of Women in Music. Topped by Beyonce and Taylor Swift, we find only two BBC employees - DJ Annie Mac and Radio 3 Editor and Diversity Lead Edwina Wolstencraft. No room, apparently, for taste-makers like Zoe Ball, Sara Cox, Lauren Laverne, Liza Tarbuck, Cerys Matthews, Elaine Page, Clara Amfo, Suzy Klein, Sarah Walker and more.
And no space for BBC Music Commissioning Head, Jan Younghusband. Try the first minute or so of this video to marvel at how Jan's working life has been clarified by reporting to Bob Shennan and James Purnell.
And no space for BBC Music Commissioning Head, Jan Younghusband. Try the first minute or so of this video to marvel at how Jan's working life has been clarified by reporting to Bob Shennan and James Purnell.
Capri
Spare a thought for Beeboids struggling this week on the Isle of Capri, where the 70th anniversary session of the Prix Italia draws to a close on Saturday. Delegates are largely based in the Grand Hotel Quisisana.The theme, as we've noted before, is deep - "The Memory of The Future: The History we tell Today is our Tomorrow". Graham Ellis, of BBC Radio, is there 'ex officio' as President. BBC News boss Fran Unsworth has been on parade, and radio producer Sarah Jane Hall and tv arts commissioner Emma Cahusac are on judging panels.
Outreach
Interesting to see an ad for Eddie Mair on LBC in today's print Guardian. Either to re-inforce his runaway success in his new berth, or bolster the figures. Guardian readers may wish to tune away when it comes to 6pm, when Nigel Farage leads Britain's conversation (or on Fridays, when the discourse is led by Andrew Pierce of the Daily Mail. )
Meanwhile some late overnight average figures from Wednesday night's tv: Newsnight: 340,000 (3.4%) Peston: 530,000 (6.9%). Here's a Tweet from new Newsnight editor Esme Wren.
Meanwhile some late overnight average figures from Wednesday night's tv: Newsnight: 340,000 (3.4%) Peston: 530,000 (6.9%). Here's a Tweet from new Newsnight editor Esme Wren.
Predictable headline but it's apples and pears. ITV1 v BBC2 is far from a level playing field. Peston inherited an audience of 1.2m, Newsnight inherited 0.3m. Much of the "battle" is down to the scheduling/inheritance. That said we welcome the competition! https://t.co/ZYXWLb1aHi— esmewren (@esmewren) September 28, 2018
Thursday, September 27, 2018
More time shifts
BBC1 is launching the Jodie-Whittaker-Doctor at 6.45pm October 7th, and BBC America has come into line, moving to 1.45pm Eastern Time. Jodie and showrunner Chris Chibnall will be on a panel at NewYorkComicCon (The Hulu Theater, Madison Square Gardens) for the transmission and a Q&A session. BBC America repeats the first episode at 8pm, for those glued to America football on Sunday afternoons.
Timing issues
Peston returned to ITV last night, with a show 'broadcast' live on Twitter at 8pm, and played out to ITV viewers at 10.45pm. The Twitter feed started with audio 15 seconds behind the video, and 550 viewers - it fell to 300, before sound and picture were finally brought together.
Sadly, at 1045, most news junkies were entranced by Donald Trump's hour-and-a-bit-long news conference, which couldn't be part of the Peston agenda.So as you may have noticed it wasn't a perfect start to our Twitter live experiement 😅. Don't worry you can watch again at 10.45pm after the @itvnews. We go again next week! #Peston— Peston (@itvpeston) September 26, 2018
Logo logorrhea
BBC2's goodbye to the complete Number 2, ahead of the curve's formal debut...
And here's the bendy thing. Sorry, I mean, "the visual signifier that will complement the type of programmes on the channel and link the eclectic channel schedule together with seamless transitions between programmes". The new idents are "reflective of the channel's commitment to specialism, challenging and complex programming, creativity, alternative outlook and its unorthodox DNA."
And here's the bendy thing. Sorry, I mean, "the visual signifier that will complement the type of programmes on the channel and link the eclectic channel schedule together with seamless transitions between programmes". The new idents are "reflective of the channel's commitment to specialism, challenging and complex programming, creativity, alternative outlook and its unorthodox DNA."
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
2 becomes Two
BBC2 is being re-branded, with the help of BBC Creative, Superunion and Aardman Animation. Since the mockumentary W1A, we've all taken branding much more seriously, and admired the work of fictional agency Perfect Curve - so it's pretty cool that Controller Patrick Holland has gone for a curve solution.Superunion is "a next-generation brand agency built on a spirit of creative optimism", launched in January this year, under Global CEO Jim Prior - a spooky blend of Jeremy Vine and Tim Davie. Here Jim explains how his company's work is 'additive'.
Look after yourself
Members of the BBC Club did a quick double-take on the poster below. Has former Radio 2 dj and newsreader Colin Berry been reinvented as an expert in the self-defence techniques taught to the Israeli military ?
No, this is Hertfordshire-based actor, stuntman and fight co-ordinator Colin Berry; he worked on Danny Boyle's tv series, Babylon.
Colin the Broadcaster is 72, and still hosts the odd show for BBC 3CR, most recently a Bank Holiday Special on one-hit wonders. He was a fixture on Radio 2 for nearly 40 years. This year, he described the current operation as "Radio 1 and a half".
No, this is Hertfordshire-based actor, stuntman and fight co-ordinator Colin Berry; he worked on Danny Boyle's tv series, Babylon.
Colin the Broadcaster is 72, and still hosts the odd show for BBC 3CR, most recently a Bank Holiday Special on one-hit wonders. He was a fixture on Radio 2 for nearly 40 years. This year, he described the current operation as "Radio 1 and a half".
Four screens
The tv audience research group BARB yesterday finally launched its new four-screen viewing figures, capturing viewing across tv, pcs, tablet and smartphones.
Combined with catch-up viewing, it's a little surprising how little difference the three additional 'screens' make to the new final totals. But much depends on the type of programme, and their target audience. Very few people found a need to catch up with England v Croatia; on average across June and July, the additional three screens added an average of just 4% to Eastenders. But one episode of Love Island added 27% to its ITV2 figure, and a Made In Chelsea Croatia special added 17%.
Taking smartphones alone in the most recent week's figures (starting September 10th) Bodyguard understandably tops the BBC1 list for views, at 82k. Then came Eastenders with 58k and 52k smartphone views, and Killing Eve on 47k. For BBC2, Dragon's Den topped the smartphone views at 14k. On ITV, it was XFactor, at 9k, followed by the drama Strangers, at 7k.
Combined with catch-up viewing, it's a little surprising how little difference the three additional 'screens' make to the new final totals. But much depends on the type of programme, and their target audience. Very few people found a need to catch up with England v Croatia; on average across June and July, the additional three screens added an average of just 4% to Eastenders. But one episode of Love Island added 27% to its ITV2 figure, and a Made In Chelsea Croatia special added 17%.
Taking smartphones alone in the most recent week's figures (starting September 10th) Bodyguard understandably tops the BBC1 list for views, at 82k. Then came Eastenders with 58k and 52k smartphone views, and Killing Eve on 47k. For BBC2, Dragon's Den topped the smartphone views at 14k. On ITV, it was XFactor, at 9k, followed by the drama Strangers, at 7k.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
OTT
US viewers who thought they'd escaped daily doses of Piers Morgan when he left CNN will be disappointed to learn he's back.
Streaming subscription service Britbox (a BBC/ITV collaboration) has started running 45 minute cut downs of GMB at 7am New York time across the US and Canada.
PAY ATTENTION
A new version of the BBC's Editorial Guidelines is wending its way to public consultation, and like many things at the Corporation, it's not as big as it used to be.
Board members have been told the new document is "30% shorter" than the previous version. We are not told whether this is because it's less verbose, or there are fewer guidelines, or they've used a smaller font, or bigger pages.
There are LIKELY TO BE MORE CAPITAL LETTERS. Non-executive members asked for MANDATORY REFERRALS to Editorial Policy to be LIFTED OUT OF THE TEXT. This should help producers and editors with tricky issues like HELICOPTERS, talking to POLICEMEN, giving people time to respond to news of POLICE SEARCHES, and generally chasing SCOOPS AND AWARDS.
Board members have been told the new document is "30% shorter" than the previous version. We are not told whether this is because it's less verbose, or there are fewer guidelines, or they've used a smaller font, or bigger pages.
There are LIKELY TO BE MORE CAPITAL LETTERS. Non-executive members asked for MANDATORY REFERRALS to Editorial Policy to be LIFTED OUT OF THE TEXT. This should help producers and editors with tricky issues like HELICOPTERS, talking to POLICEMEN, giving people time to respond to news of POLICE SEARCHES, and generally chasing SCOOPS AND AWARDS.
- BBC executives have, inadvertently, been supplied with some fake news by their Executive Complaints Unit. They were told the ECU was meeting a target of dealing with 80% of complaints with a response within 20 days in most cases. Unfortunately, this was because a computer programme was adding things up wrong during most of the past twelve months -"seriously so towards the end of the reporting year." The ECU now has to count up on its fingers on a monthly basis until someone sorts out the technology.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Measuring up
Ten pages of minutes from the BBC's Board Meeting in June - most of it rubber stamping the Annual Report and Audit by the NAO. And that old favourite, an update (no more info shared that that) on the project to rebuild the EastEnders set at Elstree.
The Board got a little busier on 'metrics' for the year ahead. If the minutes are right, they've sharpened up the Executive's proposals...
"The Board considered the draft operational plan and discussed the proposed metrics for measuring performance against objectives. Directors agreed that the roll-out of the iPlayer strategy needed to be more ambitious given its strategic priority; that there should be additional objectives for BBC Studios; that metrics related to pan-BBC working and culture should be included; that objectives and metrics related to the individual Nations and Regions should be developed and that overall the modelling should demonstrate how performance targets aligned with wider industry performance.
"The Board agreed that, once finalised, reporting against the metrics should be made available to the Board at every meeting."
The Board got a little busier on 'metrics' for the year ahead. If the minutes are right, they've sharpened up the Executive's proposals...
"The Board considered the draft operational plan and discussed the proposed metrics for measuring performance against objectives. Directors agreed that the roll-out of the iPlayer strategy needed to be more ambitious given its strategic priority; that there should be additional objectives for BBC Studios; that metrics related to pan-BBC working and culture should be included; that objectives and metrics related to the individual Nations and Regions should be developed and that overall the modelling should demonstrate how performance targets aligned with wider industry performance.
"The Board agreed that, once finalised, reporting against the metrics should be made available to the Board at every meeting."
Finale
An average of 10.43m watched the Bodyguard finale - the share of audience was 47.9%. It's the highest figure for a 'new' drama since 2006, when the 'pilot' of Morse-spin-off Lewis was watched by 11.31m. I reckon Bodyguard'll beat it when the figures are consolidated.
Pas bien ensemble
BBC bosses like to keep a weather eye on the fortunes of other public services broadcasters around the world, and will be twitching a little at the news from Australia. The Board of ABC has just sacked managing director Michelle Guthrie, just over two years into a five year contract.
Michelle came to the ABC after work as a corporate media lawyer, including thirteen years of work for various Murdoch companies in London and the Far East. Initially, she brought in consultants to drive through a re-structuring and closed 200-odd management jobs. Old divisions of tv, radio and online were replaced by genre groups - sound familiar ? She's fallen out with government, who've steadily reduced ABC's allocation of funds, and now imposed a freeze. And she hasn't demonstrated any real continuing interest in programmes. The board said her style didn't suit the organisation; she's consulting lawyers.
Michelle came to the ABC after work as a corporate media lawyer, including thirteen years of work for various Murdoch companies in London and the Far East. Initially, she brought in consultants to drive through a re-structuring and closed 200-odd management jobs. Old divisions of tv, radio and online were replaced by genre groups - sound familiar ? She's fallen out with government, who've steadily reduced ABC's allocation of funds, and now imposed a freeze. And she hasn't demonstrated any real continuing interest in programmes. The board said her style didn't suit the organisation; she's consulting lawyers.
New front
A change of ownership for Meteo Group, providers of BBC weather forecasters.
Current parent company General Atlantic, a private equity operation, bought Meteo back in 2013, from the Press Association, for a reported 190m Euros. PA made a very healthy £125m out of the deal.
Now Zurich-based investors TBG are taking Meteo off General Atlantic's hands - and GA may well make a loss on the sale. TBG already own DTN, a group which supplies online information to weather-sensitive businesses. DTN has its headquarters in Minneapolis.
Current parent company General Atlantic, a private equity operation, bought Meteo back in 2013, from the Press Association, for a reported 190m Euros. PA made a very healthy £125m out of the deal.
Now Zurich-based investors TBG are taking Meteo off General Atlantic's hands - and GA may well make a loss on the sale. TBG already own DTN, a group which supplies online information to weather-sensitive businesses. DTN has its headquarters in Minneapolis.
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Joanna and Gary
BBC News fans of real-life romance have been enjoying a long read in Mail On Sunday's You Magazine - "Living apart brought us closer together". It's written by Joanna Moorheard, about her life-partner Gary Smith, Head of News and Current Affairs, BBC Scotland. (You may remember him from the court case won by Sir Cliff Richard).
Joanna and Gary are married, but Joanna has no intention of responding to the title Mrs Gary Smith, as she shared in another piece about their relationship in the Guardian, back in 2006.
This time last year, Joanna wrote about how she and Gary were coping with being empty-nesters, in the (pay-walled) Tablet. In August this year, she wrote, also in the Tablet, about the fun of not-being entirely an empty nester. A rich and rewarding life/
Joanna and Gary are married, but Joanna has no intention of responding to the title Mrs Gary Smith, as she shared in another piece about their relationship in the Guardian, back in 2006.
This time last year, Joanna wrote about how she and Gary were coping with being empty-nesters, in the (pay-walled) Tablet. In August this year, she wrote, also in the Tablet, about the fun of not-being entirely an empty nester. A rich and rewarding life/
Time travel
It looks like the Dr Who Sunday scheduling gamble is going break the solid Countryfile/Antiques Roadshow ratings partnership.
BBC America are supposed to be 'simulcasting', and are pointing to a 2pm Eastern Time start - that would be 7pm here.
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Unshakeable
Canapes and sparkling at Claridges this week for HR Magazine's 'Most Influential Awards', now in their 13th year.
Valerie Hughes-D’Aeth, HR director for the BBC, took third place - the same as last year. “I’m truly shocked. We’ve had one hell of a year at the BBC, but it’s a fantastic time to be in HR,” she said.
“We’ve had to deal with the gender pay gap, we’ve had to deal with how much our presenters should be paid. This has been our most difficult year, but I do feel we’re in a much better place, so thank you very much.”
Val's chum, Jabbar Sardar, at BBC Studios, moved up from 17th to 13th.
Valerie Hughes-D’Aeth, HR director for the BBC, took third place - the same as last year. “I’m truly shocked. We’ve had one hell of a year at the BBC, but it’s a fantastic time to be in HR,” she said.
“We’ve had to deal with the gender pay gap, we’ve had to deal with how much our presenters should be paid. This has been our most difficult year, but I do feel we’re in a much better place, so thank you very much.”
Val's chum, Jabbar Sardar, at BBC Studios, moved up from 17th to 13th.
On parade
Former BBC News boss James Harding seems increasingly available for 'events', whilst his new journalism venture, Tortoise Media, gestates. Here he is at Highgate School's prize-giving, sans tie, handing out ceremonial swords. All wrong, surely ?
Due process ?
Murmurs of talent discontent at Broadcasting House following the news that Evan Davies is moving from Newsnight to PM. Bosses asked for 'letters of intent' from interested parties to fill the vacancy, and, just as with Question Time, there seemed to be a procedure. The press release says Evan was 'appointed', which suggests a formality of approach - that doesn't seem to have been shown to others who said they'd like to do the job, and heard nothing.
Let's see how Question Time goes....
Let's see how Question Time goes....
Friday, September 21, 2018
More re-invention
Chris Burns has been appointed Head of Local Radio at the BBC, charged with delivering the impossible - ensuring there is a 'more-joined-up' approach to serving audiences, whilst giving more freedom to be different to local radio editors.
She has the experience to give it a go. She started with the BBC as the first afternoon presenter on Radio Bedfordshire (now 3CR) in 1985. She's presented, produced and edited You and Yours, presented Woman's Hour, produced Any Questions, done social affairs programmes for Radio 1, and had a spell as Managing Editor Radio Kent. Don't ask her about her time as programme controller of Viva! in 1995 - a London 24-hour talk and music station for women, chaired by Lynne Franks in her Ab-Fab pomp. It closed after peaking at a weekly reach of 125,000.
Chris was Chair of the Radio Academy from 2015 until April this year. She's currently Chief Operating Officer within the Deputy Director General’s Group. According to the press release she said "I’m looking forward to helping nurture local talent, and leading the work to reinvent Local Radio for the next generation.”
Chris was Chair of the Radio Academy from 2015 until April this year. She's currently Chief Operating Officer within the Deputy Director General’s Group. According to the press release she said "I’m looking forward to helping nurture local talent, and leading the work to reinvent Local Radio for the next generation.”
Galactic
A new alignment of stars in the BBC firmament. Evan Davies will get exposure to 4m a week rather than 400k a night as he moves from Newsnight to Radio 4's PM programme. Odd, that, in the not too distant past, Newsnight presenting was a much bigger deal than PM. Now even Emily Maitlis implies the radio gig might be a step-up...
Huge loss for us #newsnight hugely well deserved for @EvanHD. @bbcpm listeners are v lucky indeed. https://t.co/Ul0G9wJNNe— emily m (@maitlis) September 20, 2018
Countdown
A 'Launch Director' for BBC Sounds has emerged. It is Charlotte Lock, previously styled Director of Marketing and Audiences for Content, Radio & Education (as such, you might have thought a campaign for BBC Sounds was business as usual).
Charlotte will work to James Purnell for the next 18 months. She brings the experience of a Cambridge degree in Social and Political Sciences/Philosophy; that she took straight to early handling of loyalty cards for ASDA and the Tesco Clubcard, then, via partnerships in McCann Erikson and BJL, to the BBC at Salford Quays in 2011. She'll be on the flyer from Alderley Edge as we speak, probably...
Charlotte will work to James Purnell for the next 18 months. She brings the experience of a Cambridge degree in Social and Political Sciences/Philosophy; that she took straight to early handling of loyalty cards for ASDA and the Tesco Clubcard, then, via partnerships in McCann Erikson and BJL, to the BBC at Salford Quays in 2011. She'll be on the flyer from Alderley Edge as we speak, probably...
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Even-handed
Even in the hugely compliant BBC, it's unusual to find presenters of key output recruited through traditional application, shortlisting and interview process.
The Evening Standard has found a email reminder to staff from News boss Fran Unsworth that applications to host Question Time close next Wednesday.
I wonder if the interview panel will have a BAME member and perhaps someone independent to help out. After all, the programme prides itself on balanced panels and audiences.
Average
BBC News seems to have been doing a reasonable job levelling up salaries across its various wings.
Here's mean and media salaries for Broadcast Journalists and Senior Broadcast Journalists as disclosed in an FoI response, with data from 3rd August. London weighting explains the regional difference...
Here's mean and media salaries for Broadcast Journalists and Senior Broadcast Journalists as disclosed in an FoI response, with data from 3rd August. London weighting explains the regional difference...
Denis
Some odd Norden decisions yesterday at the BBC.
Radio 4's PM went with seven and half minutes of an interview conducted by previous host Eddie Mair, alongside Robert Peston. The following Six O'Clock News, normally seen as a journal of record, didn't mention him (11 years of writing Take It From Here, 32 years of gthe radio panel show My Word!). David Sillito's tv obit noted, in passing, that he was Jewish. Do we normally give the religions of dead entertainers as a matter of course ?
Radio 4's PM went with seven and half minutes of an interview conducted by previous host Eddie Mair, alongside Robert Peston. The following Six O'Clock News, normally seen as a journal of record, didn't mention him (11 years of writing Take It From Here, 32 years of gthe radio panel show My Word!). David Sillito's tv obit noted, in passing, that he was Jewish. Do we normally give the religions of dead entertainers as a matter of course ?
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Ouch
Two bits worth reflecting on from the BBC DG's speech to the Royal Television Society this week.
"We need to move faster on our plans for iPlayer, for BBC Sounds and for young audiences. I have challenged the organisation to find £100 million a year from our current budgets to invest in these priorities from next April."
£100m is the combined content budget of Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6Music. Or the combined content budget of BBC4 and CBBC. This will hurt, even if it's a reinvestment. It's over and above the target savings of £800m a year by 2021/22. Last year that took £160m out of the business.
"Already over 50% of our teams and our spend on commissioning is outside of London. But to truly reflect the whole of the UK in our output, the BBC not only needs to invest more, it needs to do so outside the M25. That will mean more money spent around England and the Nations. And more of our staff will be located outside London."
London staff in the newly-formed BBC Studios and BBC Design & Engineering will be twitching. They're ain't much else left to move out.
"We need to move faster on our plans for iPlayer, for BBC Sounds and for young audiences. I have challenged the organisation to find £100 million a year from our current budgets to invest in these priorities from next April."
£100m is the combined content budget of Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6Music. Or the combined content budget of BBC4 and CBBC. This will hurt, even if it's a reinvestment. It's over and above the target savings of £800m a year by 2021/22. Last year that took £160m out of the business.
"Already over 50% of our teams and our spend on commissioning is outside of London. But to truly reflect the whole of the UK in our output, the BBC not only needs to invest more, it needs to do so outside the M25. That will mean more money spent around England and the Nations. And more of our staff will be located outside London."
London staff in the newly-formed BBC Studios and BBC Design & Engineering will be twitching. They're ain't much else left to move out.
Scottish gold
My story about playing with the rules for radio awards prompted a reader to relate the story of James Boyle and the Sony Awards.
A category of 'National Station of The Year' was introduced in 1993; the first winner was Classic FM. It was assumed the award was open to UK-wide stations, but James Boyle, decided, way ahead of formal Scottish Devolution, that Scotland was a Nation, entered in 1994, daring the judges to contradict him, and won. His flagship show on the revamped Radio Scotland, Eddie Mair Live, also won Gold that year.
A category of 'National Station of The Year' was introduced in 1993; the first winner was Classic FM. It was assumed the award was open to UK-wide stations, but James Boyle, decided, way ahead of formal Scottish Devolution, that Scotland was a Nation, entered in 1994, daring the judges to contradict him, and won. His flagship show on the revamped Radio Scotland, Eddie Mair Live, also won Gold that year.
Second series unlikely...
The audience is not enjoying BBC1's Wanderlust as much as Ms Charlotte Moore predicted. Last night, the uncomfortable exploration of sex problems in Greater Manchester was watched by an average of just 1.55m (8.8%). That's down from Episode One's 2.86m (15.3% share); Episode 2 got 2.03m (11.7%).
The second part of Princess Margaret's tv biography attracted more interest on BBC2 - 2.56m, 14.5% share.
The second part of Princess Margaret's tv biography attracted more interest on BBC2 - 2.56m, 14.5% share.
Rats
The febrile atmosphere around podcasts at the BBC hots up further; in the prime trail slot just before 0700 on R4 this morning - Ratline, a ten-part podcast, about a real-life post-Second World War Nazi escape from Europe-attempt.
And yet, it's not a box set - you can only get the first two episodes now. And it takes a regular slot on the network at 1345 from 8th October.
Commissioner Mohit Bakaya is super-excited: “The Ratline is a story that has it all: a mysterious death, political intrigue, spies, Nazi hunters, dark forces within the Vatican, a castle in Hagenberg and a son grappling with the sins of his father." It clearly has a decent budget, to afford Stephen Fry doing some light reading parts.
Does it matter whether it's a podcast or a series ? Yes. A series is funded from the Radio 4 content budget; as far as I'm concerned, you can release it early in bits if you think that'll get a wider audience. But podcasts without a broadcast slot count as new money - we should be told how much, in total, is being spent on them, just as we are told network's annual content budgets.
It's rumoured at least one Radio 4 commissioner has been heard saying he/she is rather bored with the network's content and podcasts are the future. That's scary: anyone can podcast, and thus there's an 'infinite competitive horizon already stacked with formidable players'. The BBC needs a strategic, budgeted approach, aligned to the public purposes. R4 commissioners should look after Radio 4.
And yet, it's not a box set - you can only get the first two episodes now. And it takes a regular slot on the network at 1345 from 8th October.
Commissioner Mohit Bakaya is super-excited: “The Ratline is a story that has it all: a mysterious death, political intrigue, spies, Nazi hunters, dark forces within the Vatican, a castle in Hagenberg and a son grappling with the sins of his father." It clearly has a decent budget, to afford Stephen Fry doing some light reading parts.
Does it matter whether it's a podcast or a series ? Yes. A series is funded from the Radio 4 content budget; as far as I'm concerned, you can release it early in bits if you think that'll get a wider audience. But podcasts without a broadcast slot count as new money - we should be told how much, in total, is being spent on them, just as we are told network's annual content budgets.
It's rumoured at least one Radio 4 commissioner has been heard saying he/she is rather bored with the network's content and podcasts are the future. That's scary: anyone can podcast, and thus there's an 'infinite competitive horizon already stacked with formidable players'. The BBC needs a strategic, budgeted approach, aligned to the public purposes. R4 commissioners should look after Radio 4.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Relax
Sir Vince Cable couldn't quite deliver his erotic spasm when it came to the big moment.
Nonetheless please spare a thought for all the BBC's sign language interpreters at this difficult time. I haven't seen all their interpretations, but the bloke doing BBC Breakfast hunched his body and screwed his eyes shut....
He's back
Students of local radio history will be pleased to note that Andrew Peach has cracked how to get an Aria nomination - for Best Speech Presenter at Breakfast.
Andrew and his various shows were a fixture in the Sonys, accumulating 13 nominations over 11 years. Last year he celebrated 25 years in the business.
Andrew is an Aria judge, but clearly not in the Breakfast category.
Manipulation
It seems de rigueur to leak your own speech ahead of the RTS autumn conference. Lord Hall did it, and got some pick-up. Rabble-rousing new Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright, three months into the job, and with the back-up of two new SPAds, has joined in - and apart from marginal pick-up about Russia Today and fake news, that's about it.
He's even making Ofcom look more exciting, with Sharon's daft offer (also leaked) to take six months investigating every complaint about the world's websites.
He's even making Ofcom look more exciting, with Sharon's daft offer (also leaked) to take six months investigating every complaint about the world's websites.
- Will someone ask Lord Hall about news management ? How a brief interview with the Prime Minister led BBC News bulletins for close to 60 hours, shared in dribs and drabs from Panorama ?
Monday, September 17, 2018
Rule bending
It's all a bit loose in the Aria nominations (Sony Radio Academy Awards, as was).
There are six nominations in each category; in "Best Speech at Breakfast", we find Stephen Nolan. The Academy seems to be allowing a show running on Radio Ulster from 0903 to 1030 weekdays to count as some sort of late breakfast, despite the fact that it's preceded by Good Morning Ulster.
In "Best Speech Presenter - Non-Breakfast", we find Eamonn Holmes. Seriously.
There are six nominations in each category; in "Best Speech at Breakfast", we find Stephen Nolan. The Academy seems to be allowing a show running on Radio Ulster from 0903 to 1030 weekdays to count as some sort of late breakfast, despite the fact that it's preceded by Good Morning Ulster.
In "Best Speech Presenter - Non-Breakfast", we find Eamonn Holmes. Seriously.
Happy
Contentment at BBC Content, as the penultimate episode of Bodyguard is watched by an average of 8m according to the overnight ratings - an audience share of 38.2%. It's up 1m on a week ago. And, whilst it may be a now-dreaded-over-55 magnet, there's some satisfaction in the Antiques Roadshow beating the X-Factor - 5.63m versus 4.81m.
Shiny happy people ?
There's a way to go before the future ownership of Anglo-Dutch mega-indie Endemol Shine is settled.
It's up for sale because 21st Century Fox wants to part with its 50% holding, ahead of the Disney take-over of Fox. Fox and Endemol co-owners Apollo Global Management, a US private equity firm, are selling through Deutsche Bank and the Madison Avenue media bank and deal-maker, Lion Tree.
The price could be anywhere between $2bn and $4bn. ITV, under Carolyn McCall, are said to be interested, but their turnover is around £3bn, and profits last year just £413m - so borrowing, hire purchase or share swaps would be necessary. Other bidders are likely to include Lionsgate, FremantleMedia, France’s Banijay Group and All3Media.
Endemol's roster of shows remains impressive. Peaky Blinders, Broadchurch, Black Mirror, various successors of The Bridge, The Fall, Grantchester make up the drama list; other long-runners include Masterchef, Pointless and Big Brother.
CEO Sophie Turner-Laing and Chief Creative Officer Peter Salmon will be available for discreet lattes at the RTS Conference at the Guardian HQ in King's Cross tomorrow.
It's up for sale because 21st Century Fox wants to part with its 50% holding, ahead of the Disney take-over of Fox. Fox and Endemol co-owners Apollo Global Management, a US private equity firm, are selling through Deutsche Bank and the Madison Avenue media bank and deal-maker, Lion Tree.
The price could be anywhere between $2bn and $4bn. ITV, under Carolyn McCall, are said to be interested, but their turnover is around £3bn, and profits last year just £413m - so borrowing, hire purchase or share swaps would be necessary. Other bidders are likely to include Lionsgate, FremantleMedia, France’s Banijay Group and All3Media.
Endemol's roster of shows remains impressive. Peaky Blinders, Broadchurch, Black Mirror, various successors of The Bridge, The Fall, Grantchester make up the drama list; other long-runners include Masterchef, Pointless and Big Brother.
CEO Sophie Turner-Laing and Chief Creative Officer Peter Salmon will be available for discreet lattes at the RTS Conference at the Guardian HQ in King's Cross tomorrow.
Class
Last week BBC DG Lord Hall revealed that the Corporation was in direct talks with HMRC trying to find a solution to the problems faced by on-air presenters who've been shuttled between tax status as "freelances" and "employees", and now face big claims to balance their books retrospectively
Today, Contractor UK suggests there may have been pressure on the BBC from inside to force the talks. The website understands that "a large group of BBC presenters have sought legal advice on filing a lawsuit against the BBC, for maladministration."
Today, Contractor UK suggests there may have been pressure on the BBC from inside to force the talks. The website understands that "a large group of BBC presenters have sought legal advice on filing a lawsuit against the BBC, for maladministration."
Ball
According to the The Sun's Dan Wootton, Carnie & Shennan, the duo of suited impresarios leading Radio 2, have confounded the bookmakers. Mr Wootton claim C&S are in advance negotiations to employ Zoe Ball as their new breakfast hostess. Ladbrokes have consistently made Sara Cox favourite, with odds as short as 7/4, putting Ms Ball at 6/1.
What sort of figure might tempt Zoe to say yes ? In 2017 her salary was in the £250k-299k bracket, covering the Strictly side-show, It Takes Two and some Radio 2 work. In 2018 her salary wasn't made public, 'cos It Takes Two is produced by BBC Studios; we can presume her one-day-a-week with Radio 2 was worth less than £150k.
A savvy agent would start at £800k. Zoe is looked after by Meryl Hoffman, recently subsumed as part of Curtis Brown.
What sort of figure might tempt Zoe to say yes ? In 2017 her salary was in the £250k-299k bracket, covering the Strictly side-show, It Takes Two and some Radio 2 work. In 2018 her salary wasn't made public, 'cos It Takes Two is produced by BBC Studios; we can presume her one-day-a-week with Radio 2 was worth less than £150k.
A savvy agent would start at £800k. Zoe is looked after by Meryl Hoffman, recently subsumed as part of Curtis Brown.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Killing it ?
The BBC will be pleased with an overnight average audience of 3.3m for the first episode of Killing Eve. Will the fact that it's all available now on iPlayer take away from the remaining seven episodes ?
The drama was commissioned by BBC America. The final episode of the first series there was watched by just 1.25m, according to overnight ratings - but the fact it grew steadily to that figure over eight weeks was notable. Sandra Oh is up for an Emmy on Monday night, as is lead writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
The drama was commissioned by BBC America. The final episode of the first series there was watched by just 1.25m, according to overnight ratings - but the fact it grew steadily to that figure over eight weeks was notable. Sandra Oh is up for an Emmy on Monday night, as is lead writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
OAPs
Mary Beard returned to host a new series of Front Row Late on BBC2 on Friday, this time with a small, live audience. Her topic was age and the arts. Joining Mary, 63, as she learned on-air about how to present chat shows (or not), were Joan Bakewell, 85, Richard Wilson, 82 and Baroness Young of Hornsey, 67. It featured a recorded interview with Clive James, 78.
Strange that the show's editor, Tanya Hudson, didn't light upon another key elderly figure and gatekeeper in the arts, Alan Yentob, 71. Al was out and about in Piccadilly on Thursday night ...
Strange that the show's editor, Tanya Hudson, didn't light upon another key elderly figure and gatekeeper in the arts, Alan Yentob, 71. Al was out and about in Piccadilly on Thursday night ...
Mum's the word
Allegra Stratton, now with ITV News, writes in the Mail about Serena Williams and the pressures on new mothers returning to work:
"I was BBC Newsnight’s political editor when I became pregnant with my first child – now a lively boy aged four. Eight months into the pregnancy, just before I went on maternity leave, my BBC editors made it clear I would have to fight for my position when I came back.
After one particularly fraught meeting, I had my last antenatal appointment before my due date but the stress of the meeting had caused my baby’s heartbeat to rocket. Unless it calmed down, the midwife told me, she would have to induce it. Thankfully the heart rate did return to normal – but that was the point when I gave up fighting my bosses.
"When I returned to work after six months, my (male) editor said to me: ‘But the question is, Allegra, are you hungry?’ Yes, I was hungry. And tired. And terrified that I would never be the same journalist again. I was desperate to prove I was up to my job."
Who were these horrible Newsnight editors ? Ian Katz (Mr Mumsnet) started in September 2013; Allegra left on maternity leave in January 2014, returning in July 2014.
"I was BBC Newsnight’s political editor when I became pregnant with my first child – now a lively boy aged four. Eight months into the pregnancy, just before I went on maternity leave, my BBC editors made it clear I would have to fight for my position when I came back.
After one particularly fraught meeting, I had my last antenatal appointment before my due date but the stress of the meeting had caused my baby’s heartbeat to rocket. Unless it calmed down, the midwife told me, she would have to induce it. Thankfully the heart rate did return to normal – but that was the point when I gave up fighting my bosses.
"When I returned to work after six months, my (male) editor said to me: ‘But the question is, Allegra, are you hungry?’ Yes, I was hungry. And tired. And terrified that I would never be the same journalist again. I was desperate to prove I was up to my job."
Who were these horrible Newsnight editors ? Ian Katz (Mr Mumsnet) started in September 2013; Allegra left on maternity leave in January 2014, returning in July 2014.
Saturday, September 15, 2018
New breakfast menu
More breakfast changes. Sky News Sunrise co-presenter Jonathan Samuels is moving to a swing-presenter/reporter role, and Niall Paterson gets to hold hands with Sarah-Jane Mee from Monday.
Niall (Kyle Academy, Alloway; BA Law, Sheffield University; Broadcast Journalism Diploma, Norther Media School) has been covering the Sunday political show while Sophy Ridge was on maternity leave.
Niall (Kyle Academy, Alloway; BA Law, Sheffield University; Broadcast Journalism Diploma, Norther Media School) has been covering the Sunday political show while Sophy Ridge was on maternity leave.
Anyone who sees me out and about later than 6pm on Sunday should tell my mum of my bad behaviour. Strict curfew from now on.— Niall Paterson (@skynewsniall) September 15, 2018
Staggering
Naughty weather reporter.
So dramatic! Dude from the weather channel bracing for his life, as 2 dudes just stroll past. #HurricaneFlorence pic.twitter.com/8FRyM4NLbL— Tony scar. (@gourdnibler) September 14, 2018
Prize winner
The makeover of Television Centre has won an award for architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
The partially-listed Grade II complex now retains just four tv studios leased to BBC Studioworks. The remainder is a mixture of commercial units, office space, a hotel, gym and pool, and 432 flats. Whilst the cost of the project remains undisclosed, it was entered in, and won, the Architect Journals' Retrofit Awards section of 'Listed Buildings: Over £5m".
The judges said the winner was a ‘transformational’ project which had opened up London’s TV Centre to a completely different use through a ‘highly complex retrofit’. One judge said: ‘A huge amount of design thinking has gone into this scheme – it’s incredible’.
The partially-listed Grade II complex now retains just four tv studios leased to BBC Studioworks. The remainder is a mixture of commercial units, office space, a hotel, gym and pool, and 432 flats. Whilst the cost of the project remains undisclosed, it was entered in, and won, the Architect Journals' Retrofit Awards section of 'Listed Buildings: Over £5m".
The judges said the winner was a ‘transformational’ project which had opened up London’s TV Centre to a completely different use through a ‘highly complex retrofit’. One judge said: ‘A huge amount of design thinking has gone into this scheme – it’s incredible’.
Friday, September 14, 2018
Simon's off
The BBC is finally going to replace Simon Burke as their specialist financial non-executive director. He's been on the Trust/Board since January 2011.
"The successful candidate will be a chartered accountant (or equivalent) and have recent experience as a chief financial officer of a large quoted company or equivalent organisation. They will also have board level experience in a complex organisation."
Burke was born in Dublin, in 1956, and trained as an accountant straight from school. Once qualified, he headed to London, he thought for six months. He moved through Coopers & Lybrand until headhunted for the newly-floated Virgin empire. He volunteered to run the Megastores, then parted with Branson and joined Hamleys. Other berths have included Majestic Wine, Bathstore and Hobbycraft. These days, he's a non-exec at the Co-op, a Director of The Light Cinemas (Holdings) Limited and Blue Diamond Limited.
A student of Byzantine history and 17th century artworks, he lives twixt Notting Hill and Bayswater. It would be interesting to know how nine years with Auntie has changed his thinking; before he signed up to the Beeb, he opined that Radio 3 was "pretentious and often just ghastly clashing noises, which while they may be very meritorious are not very easy on the ear".
"The successful candidate will be a chartered accountant (or equivalent) and have recent experience as a chief financial officer of a large quoted company or equivalent organisation. They will also have board level experience in a complex organisation."
Burke was born in Dublin, in 1956, and trained as an accountant straight from school. Once qualified, he headed to London, he thought for six months. He moved through Coopers & Lybrand until headhunted for the newly-floated Virgin empire. He volunteered to run the Megastores, then parted with Branson and joined Hamleys. Other berths have included Majestic Wine, Bathstore and Hobbycraft. These days, he's a non-exec at the Co-op, a Director of The Light Cinemas (Holdings) Limited and Blue Diamond Limited.
A student of Byzantine history and 17th century artworks, he lives twixt Notting Hill and Bayswater. It would be interesting to know how nine years with Auntie has changed his thinking; before he signed up to the Beeb, he opined that Radio 3 was "pretentious and often just ghastly clashing noises, which while they may be very meritorious are not very easy on the ear".
Authenticity
Whilst Bodyguard may have us breathless with anticipation, Press is fading away. Episode 1 on BBC1 attracted an average of 2.8m according to the overnights (including hundreds, I suspect, of judgemental journalists); last night's managed just 2.16m.
On the road/s
38-year-old Rachel Horne, (BA Law/Theology, Sidney Sussex, Cambridge) husband of comedian and Taskmaster creator Alex Horne, has signed up. Born in Fermanagh, she started out in broadcasting with work experience with BBC Northern Ireland, CBeebies, travelled through Newsround, to business reporting on Working Lunch, BBC World News and Breakfast. She has three children under 10, and lives in Chesham.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Scale
Britbox, the streaming video on demand channel from the BBC and ITV now has 400,000 subcribers in the USA and Canada. That's up from 250,000 at the end of February.
Yanks pay $6.99 a month; it's $8.99 in Canada.
BBC Studios CEO Tim Davie shared the new figures in an interview at the International Broadcasting Conference in Amsterdam. What news of a possible UK SVOD collaboration between the BBC, ITV and C4 ? "We have nothing to announce, we're always talking".
Netflix has 124 million paying subscribers in over 190 countries; 9.1m are in the UK, around 57m in the USA. Last month Netflix added the C4 version of The Great British Bake-off to its catalogue, starting with last year's series.
Yanks pay $6.99 a month; it's $8.99 in Canada.
BBC Studios CEO Tim Davie shared the new figures in an interview at the International Broadcasting Conference in Amsterdam. What news of a possible UK SVOD collaboration between the BBC, ITV and C4 ? "We have nothing to announce, we're always talking".
Netflix has 124 million paying subscribers in over 190 countries; 9.1m are in the UK, around 57m in the USA. Last month Netflix added the C4 version of The Great British Bake-off to its catalogue, starting with last year's series.
Where next ?
Aria nominations are out on September 17th.
Groovy news
BBC News online staff have been told that they'll have to "surface additional content" on their main pages by the end of the year, as part of the DG's re-focus. I've been trying to help....
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Tender spot
The tender documents for the contract to produce Mastermind and Celebrity Mastermind on BBC1 give John Humphrys job security as presenter til July 2021 - a month ahead of his 78th birthday.
The two-year contract, producing 31 episodes of Mastermind and 10 Celebrity Masterminds each year, is worth close to £3m. The average cost of an episode - £36,041. The tender says the show has to be 'made' outside London, and preferably close to either Salford, Glasgow or Belfast.
"We wish to maintain the intellectual rigor of the programme, the precision of the questions and the format overall but we would be interested to creatively refresh the programme within these constraints. We wish to appeal to a broader audience potentially using social and digital."
And, personally, I'd prefer they'd adopt the English spelling of rigour, avoid split infinitives, and stop using adjectives as nouns......
The two-year contract, producing 31 episodes of Mastermind and 10 Celebrity Masterminds each year, is worth close to £3m. The average cost of an episode - £36,041. The tender says the show has to be 'made' outside London, and preferably close to either Salford, Glasgow or Belfast.
"We wish to maintain the intellectual rigor of the programme, the precision of the questions and the format overall but we would be interested to creatively refresh the programme within these constraints. We wish to appeal to a broader audience potentially using social and digital."
And, personally, I'd prefer they'd adopt the English spelling of rigour, avoid split infinitives, and stop using adjectives as nouns......
Merv v Ken
The Grand Bard of Cornwall has the BBC's Ken Macquarrie in his sights.
Telynyor an Weryn, otherwise known as Merv Davey and sometimes Dr Folk, addressed fellow Bards at the Gorsedh Kernow, in its 90th anniverary year, on clifftops outside Newquay earlier this month.
"Radio Cornwall is exemplary in its work for the Cornish community but once beyond the Tamar commitment to Cornwall tapers dramatically. Gorsedh Kernow invited Ken MacQuarrie, BBC Director of Nations & Regions to attend the Gorsedh Kernow Conference to speak on proposals to create a designated service for Cornwall, such as an i-Player platform, as it does for the other UK
nations. We received no response from Mr MacQuarrie or from the BBC. Gorsedh Kernow calls upon the BBC to acknowledge the UK Government’s recognition of the Cornish as a National Minority alongside of the Welsh and Scots and deliver a designated service to us. We also call upon the secretary of State for Media, Culture and sport to take this matter up and on our Cornish MPs to champion it. To the Trustees of the BBC we say this exclusion of Cornwall is unjust."
Telynyor an Weryn, otherwise known as Merv Davey and sometimes Dr Folk, addressed fellow Bards at the Gorsedh Kernow, in its 90th anniverary year, on clifftops outside Newquay earlier this month.
"Radio Cornwall is exemplary in its work for the Cornish community but once beyond the Tamar commitment to Cornwall tapers dramatically. Gorsedh Kernow invited Ken MacQuarrie, BBC Director of Nations & Regions to attend the Gorsedh Kernow Conference to speak on proposals to create a designated service for Cornwall, such as an i-Player platform, as it does for the other UK
nations. We received no response from Mr MacQuarrie or from the BBC. Gorsedh Kernow calls upon the BBC to acknowledge the UK Government’s recognition of the Cornish as a National Minority alongside of the Welsh and Scots and deliver a designated service to us. We also call upon the secretary of State for Media, Culture and sport to take this matter up and on our Cornish MPs to champion it. To the Trustees of the BBC we say this exclusion of Cornwall is unjust."
Odds and ends
Viewers' attention seems to be wandering from Wanderlust on BBC1. The first episode was watched by an average of 2.86m (15.3% share). Last night, Episode 2 got 2.03m (11.7%).
Sir Cliff Richard's latest single, Rise Up, has spookily been chosen as Radio 2's Record of The Week.
Two new hires at BBC Studios. Hannah Wyatt, Genre Director of Factual Entertainment of Events, previously MD of indie Boundless, has appointed Kat Lennox, previously of Boundless, as Senior Executive Producer. Hannah and Kat also worked together at Mentorn. Seb Curtis joins as Head of Development, from Voltage TV. Seb also worked at Boundless with Hannah. So that's all good, then.
Sir Cliff Richard's latest single, Rise Up, has spookily been chosen as Radio 2's Record of The Week.
Two new hires at BBC Studios. Hannah Wyatt, Genre Director of Factual Entertainment of Events, previously MD of indie Boundless, has appointed Kat Lennox, previously of Boundless, as Senior Executive Producer. Hannah and Kat also worked together at Mentorn. Seb Curtis joins as Head of Development, from Voltage TV. Seb also worked at Boundless with Hannah. So that's all good, then.
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Alternate realities
Two BBCs on show at this morning's session of the Culture Select Committee in Salford.....
The first - earnest and caring. Anne Bulford encouraging staff to come forward with pay complaints, promising fast informal hearings, to be judged with independent input. A message that if you're unhappy with the process, just call Anne or Tone. And both Anne and Tone are onto the HMRC to sort out the PSC tax mess.
The second, from BBC staff talking to MPs - hard-nosed and deliberately bureaucratic. Employees phased by dealing with anonymous email boxes, pushed from 'informal' hearings to full grievances and appeals - 68 outstanding - with intimidating messages from managers and threats of legal action. According to Julian Knight MP, one disgruntled employee just resigned rather than go on.
And still the BBC is not to prepared to admit that some staff and freelance presenters were told they had to set up PSCs, or they wouldn't be paid.
Off stage whisper
It's not real...
Series 2?— Jed Mercurio (@jed_mercurio) September 10, 2018
It just seemed a little vulgar to join the 326 other @BBCNews colleagues already taking part.— Huw Edwards (@huwbbc) September 10, 2018
Good point....— Jon Sopel (@BBCJonSopel) September 10, 2018
High anxiety
Never mind the conspiracy theories flailing around the fictional Bodyguard. Radio 2 has a few of its own, around Drivetime.
This week, it seems, both Jo Whiley and Simon Mayo are unavailable, with the 'C' team of O J Borg and Suzi Perry in place. Some listeners claim to have seen listings which had Simon presenting on his own for the five days, which then mysteriously disappeared. The conspiracy theory is that someone high up ruled that the audience mustn't be given a reminder of what they used to enjoy.
This week, it seems, both Jo Whiley and Simon Mayo are unavailable, with the 'C' team of O J Borg and Suzi Perry in place. Some listeners claim to have seen listings which had Simon presenting on his own for the five days, which then mysteriously disappeared. The conspiracy theory is that someone high up ruled that the audience mustn't be given a reminder of what they used to enjoy.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Doors closing
There's a bit of head scratching going on in the BBC Online community, after Tone travelled north to talk about their next chapter. They gathered round the atrium in MediaCityUK, for a message that had two themes - closing some doors for good, and making the ones most people use bigger.
The Director General noted that, despite big reach figures, BBC Online has stopped growing them much; so he's asking for a re-set, a re-focus, which, in W1A-speak, seems to mean 'doing less better'.
According to the DG's stats, six key components of the BBC's online offer drive 90% of traffic. They are News, Weather, Sport, the Homepage, the iPlayer and iPlayer Radio, now being reinvented as BBC Sounds. Then Bitesize and Children's get good but smaller figures, as you might expect, with a much younger audience. So those eight 'brands' will stay.
All the other homepages are apparently toast. And only high-performing, innovative content from below them will survive, which will, somehow, nest under the Big Eight.
This seems to be bad news for those running homepages in the Second Division - BBC3, Music, Arts, Tomorrow's World, Taster, Make It Digital, Earth - even Food. 'Local' has already gone; BBC Ideas looks a little lost in all this. Radio stuff that doesn't make it into the BBC Sounds navigation could struggle.
There are also tough new growth targets - to drive weekly reach amongst under 35s up from 55% to 90% by 2022. Presumably the impact on existing jobs will become clearer in the weeks ahead.
The Director General noted that, despite big reach figures, BBC Online has stopped growing them much; so he's asking for a re-set, a re-focus, which, in W1A-speak, seems to mean 'doing less better'.
According to the DG's stats, six key components of the BBC's online offer drive 90% of traffic. They are News, Weather, Sport, the Homepage, the iPlayer and iPlayer Radio, now being reinvented as BBC Sounds. Then Bitesize and Children's get good but smaller figures, as you might expect, with a much younger audience. So those eight 'brands' will stay.
All the other homepages are apparently toast. And only high-performing, innovative content from below them will survive, which will, somehow, nest under the Big Eight.
This seems to be bad news for those running homepages in the Second Division - BBC3, Music, Arts, Tomorrow's World, Taster, Make It Digital, Earth - even Food. 'Local' has already gone; BBC Ideas looks a little lost in all this. Radio stuff that doesn't make it into the BBC Sounds navigation could struggle.
There are also tough new growth targets - to drive weekly reach amongst under 35s up from 55% to 90% by 2022. Presumably the impact on existing jobs will become clearer in the weeks ahead.
Pile in
If you spot former BBC News boss James Harding out and about, he's probably looking for an angel. Tortoise Media has issued a tranche of series seed shares, typically used to attract venture capitalists into an emerging business. Presumably there's a prospectus on offer to potential funders - anyone seen it ?
Support
Radio 3 boss Alan Davey was still up and tweeting at 2.28am after the last night of the Proms. Euphoric times.
Al’s angels @armslengthal @BBCArtsPR - what a week, a season launch and #lnotp in one - and relax! pic.twitter.com/lq6FvN2MnW— Alexandra Heybourne (@aheyarts) September 9, 2018
Body conscious
It's possible the Bodyguard audience is growing. Last night's episode averaged 7.04m in the overnight ratings - a 34.1% share, and up from the first episode's 6.8m (since consolidated to 10.4m).
Yet more BBC news presenters were on screen - we saw and heard Simon McCoy and Annita McVeigh, with no attempt to vary their News Channel set and graphics, as suggested in the BBC's Editorial Guidelines.
Yet more BBC news presenters were on screen - we saw and heard Simon McCoy and Annita McVeigh, with no attempt to vary their News Channel set and graphics, as suggested in the BBC's Editorial Guidelines.
Platform change ?
Lord Hall is Pendolino-bound for Manchester this morning, promising staff news about BBC Online. It's initiative-time of the year, and it would be good to have something big new and bold to talk to MPs about, in tomorrow's DCMS Select Committe session at Quay House, MediaCityUK, Salford.
Who from the exec will be alongside the DG ? BBC Online has evaded the DG's attempts to transcend platforms, with old-style divisions still carving up the pot, held together by a central Home Page team. Last year £290m was spend on content and delivery of the service (that excludes long-term R&D). It was last broken down in detail in the 2016/17 annual report....
News, Travel & Weather £50.6 million (2016: £50.9 million), Sport £19.1 million (2016:
£16.7 million), Childrens £10.4 million (2016: £9.4 million), BBC Three £37.1 million (2016: £10.4 million), Knowledge & Learning £15.4 million (2016: £18.6 million), TV & iPlayer £14.9 million (2016:£16.3 million) and Radio & Music £14.6 million (2016: £13.5 million)
Who from the exec will be alongside the DG ? BBC Online has evaded the DG's attempts to transcend platforms, with old-style divisions still carving up the pot, held together by a central Home Page team. Last year £290m was spend on content and delivery of the service (that excludes long-term R&D). It was last broken down in detail in the 2016/17 annual report....
News, Travel & Weather £50.6 million (2016: £50.9 million), Sport £19.1 million (2016:
£16.7 million), Childrens £10.4 million (2016: £9.4 million), BBC Three £37.1 million (2016: £10.4 million), Knowledge & Learning £15.4 million (2016: £18.6 million), TV & iPlayer £14.9 million (2016:£16.3 million) and Radio & Music £14.6 million (2016: £13.5 million)
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Give in
I have chastised the schedulers of BBC America enough. Here comes a 13-day marathon of old Dr Who episodes.
Measured
Ah, the charming level of public discourse on social media.
You are the organ of a state that jails women for choosing what they wish to wear and kills gays. Do fuck off out of our politics. https://t.co/xnGVvBoruz— John Sweeney (@johnsweeneyroar) September 9, 2018
How it's done
Not fake, but perhaps not what you thought when you saw him on air.......
Bonkers week in “Crazytown” - super-hot, too. This guy has the right idea via @RobertsDan pic.twitter.com/RI6OaMNSdB— Nick Bryant (@NickBryantNY) September 8, 2018
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Hired
TalkSPORT have raided the Daily Mail for a new boss. Lee Clayton will join the station at a date to be announced.Big welcome to the team to @LeeClayton_ And he thought the Mail was a round the clock job... https://t.co/gjRF970pxE— Liam Fisher (@liamdfisher) September 7, 2018
Someone at the station might want to cast an eye on Wikipedia, where someone from Nigeria has been having fun...
Banigo Precious Charles is National Radio Controller for Talksportrt and Talksport 2, in addition to TalkSPORTRT and Virgin Radio UK.
Banigo Precious is Programme Director, and also the current Managing Editor of TalksportRT.
Music matters
The BBC's exclusive Ariana Grande special is in the can. She performed 16 numbers, 8 of them from her new album, Sweetener. Not everything will make the edit down to an hour. So looking forward to her conversations with Davina McCall, and puffed up that the studio script got to at least seven versions before it was deemed polished enough...
Soooooo excited to be presenting this for @BBC pic.twitter.com/L9FSks0rM2— Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) September 5, 2018
Thank you @BBC .., what a night ! So utterly breathtaking live ... @ArianaGrande i hope you got home safe a sound and sleeeeeeeeeeeeeep💝💝💝💝💝 pic.twitter.com/KhjXDpqEOI— Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) September 7, 2018
It's really important
BBC News is offering a week of 'special programming' six months ahead of Brexit.
I'm afraid it's a bit ho-hum. A Panorama/Nick Robinson interview with Mrs May, including some 'behind the scenes' stuff in No 10; Reality Check correspondent Chris Morris gets slots on various shows across the week; Newsbeat has a week of vox-pops across the UK; An edition of the Today programme is co-presented from Salzburg; and we're promised special reports in the Six and Ten.
So no additional air-time beyond regular news output. I'm afraid previous leaders of BBC News would have been more ambitious, banging on Charlotte Moore's door for bigger and better slots. Brexit is ideal for a long, well produced 'hypothetical', with surrogates gaming the deal. Anyone remember A Question of Ulster back in 1972 ? Three full hours of prime-time...
I'm afraid it's a bit ho-hum. A Panorama/Nick Robinson interview with Mrs May, including some 'behind the scenes' stuff in No 10; Reality Check correspondent Chris Morris gets slots on various shows across the week; Newsbeat has a week of vox-pops across the UK; An edition of the Today programme is co-presented from Salzburg; and we're promised special reports in the Six and Ten.
So no additional air-time beyond regular news output. I'm afraid previous leaders of BBC News would have been more ambitious, banging on Charlotte Moore's door for bigger and better slots. Brexit is ideal for a long, well produced 'hypothetical', with surrogates gaming the deal. Anyone remember A Question of Ulster back in 1972 ? Three full hours of prime-time...
Friday, September 7, 2018
So good...
You get the feeling someone's putting pressure on their press team to get more stuff out there...
The new Al
The Twitter feed of the BBC Arts Publicity team has barely mentioned the word Yentob over the past month. The focus has been on Radio 3, The Proms and their big boss, the other Al, Alan Davey.
This cultural leader has journeyed through prog-rock, punk, orchestral, Quebecois folk music, guitar and mandolin lessons and more to get where he is today - and stands, in trainers and a fleece, supported by a pine tree, the embodiment of a modern, eclectic approach to great music. The camera clearly loves him.
This cultural leader has journeyed through prog-rock, punk, orchestral, Quebecois folk music, guitar and mandolin lessons and more to get where he is today - and stands, in trainers and a fleece, supported by a pine tree, the embodiment of a modern, eclectic approach to great music. The camera clearly loves him.
BBC Radio 3 controller, @armslengthal, introduces the @bbcproms #royalalberthallstars plaque to Sir Henry Wood, the founder of the Proms. #BBCProms @BBCRadio3 pic.twitter.com/DGaWdOlrAj— BBC Arts Publicity Team (@BBCArtsPR) September 7, 2018
Squad
Geordie Greig took the helm at the Daily Mail on Wednesday, and The Guardian has much of his rallying call to staff - asking them to help offer a 'forward-looking, friend to Middle Britain'. Already media observers are scanning the paper's content for signs of change.
I think this line-up and the changes to come over the next 12 months will be an equal interesting belwether. Average age: 61.
I think this line-up and the changes to come over the next 12 months will be an equal interesting belwether. Average age: 61.
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Fixed
Looks like the R4 Controller's Office, Presentation, Radio Online Operations and PM have had a meeting. After what must have been substantial debate and huge numbers of biscuits, they've come up with a way to do next week's listings that doesn't involve the name of Eddie Mair or the wrong pictures of other presenters. It's just a shot of microphones and a presenter-less show title, across the week.
Tall order
Sometimes a BBC job advert is detailed, clear - and terrifying. Auntie needs a Compliance Manager, on a six month contract, to be paid at Band D. Frankly, I'd advise signing on for nothing less than the top dollar, at £63k, given the role responsibilities...
"You will oversee the preparation of Stage 1 return and Red Flag complaints, this includes quality control and redrafting and working to statutory deadlines. You will advise and redraft responses to BBC Content complaints for Complaints Advisors/Co-ordinators in BBC Audience Services teams. You will assist with replies to complaints about BBC Content directed to the Director General’s office in a timely manner. You will investigate and discuss the implications and outcomes of breaches in editorial guidelines with programme makers. You will support and advise programme makers on strategies and possible outcomes relating to complaints referred to the Editorial Complaints Unit. You will identify key learning points from complaints findings from regulatory bodies and will advise on how to implement the learning found. You will oversee, draft and sign off FOI, DPA and assist with challenges from Information Commissioner within the statutory timeframes in place."
"You will oversee the preparation of Stage 1 return and Red Flag complaints, this includes quality control and redrafting and working to statutory deadlines. You will advise and redraft responses to BBC Content complaints for Complaints Advisors/Co-ordinators in BBC Audience Services teams. You will assist with replies to complaints about BBC Content directed to the Director General’s office in a timely manner. You will investigate and discuss the implications and outcomes of breaches in editorial guidelines with programme makers. You will support and advise programme makers on strategies and possible outcomes relating to complaints referred to the Editorial Complaints Unit. You will identify key learning points from complaints findings from regulatory bodies and will advise on how to implement the learning found. You will oversee, draft and sign off FOI, DPA and assist with challenges from Information Commissioner within the statutory timeframes in place."
Big band numbers
The BBC has disclosed its new "Broad Band Pay Ranges", totally and completely different from the old-fashioned "Pay Grades". They've been in operation from 1st August across the Corporation, but notably not at BBC Studios, BBC Studioworks, BBC Global News Ltd, BBC Media Action, BBC Children In Need and the BBC Orchestras.
Apparently, these vast ranges between top and bottom are fairer, and help with equal pay for equal work. When the gap between the top and bottom of Band F is more than the corporation's median salary, you do wonder. Note that the top of F is also £38,000 higher than the notional roof on the old Band 11. I betcha there's still staff paid above the new maximum, in 'exceptional' circumstances.
Apparently, these vast ranges between top and bottom are fairer, and help with equal pay for equal work. When the gap between the top and bottom of Band F is more than the corporation's median salary, you do wonder. Note that the top of F is also £38,000 higher than the notional roof on the old Band 11. I betcha there's still staff paid above the new maximum, in 'exceptional' circumstances.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Mucky
It seems we prefer the innuendos offered by self-raising flour and biscuit bottoms to more explicit tv titillation.
The C4 version of Bake Off was watched by an average of 5.74m (including those on +1). The much-trailed BBC1 bonkbuster Wanderlust attracted just 2.86m. Maybe it'll soar when the squeamish catch up alone with its important dramatic messages.
Five days
There are some British broadcasting anniversaries in 2018. Try 25 years of Porridge; 50 years of Dad's Army; 50 years of Morecambe & Wise. I'm sure BBC America's anniversary team are on the case.Trust no one.— BBC America (@BBCAMERICA) September 4, 2018
Except us when we say we're celebrating the 25th anniversary of #TheXFiles with a 5-day marathon starting September 10th on @BBCAMERICA. 👽#XFiles25 pic.twitter.com/c16iWAEcqD
The BBC's fifth public purpose: to reflect the United Kingdom, its culture and values to the world. And repeat Star Trek Next Generation and The XFiles endlessly.
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Worra lorra floppies
An FoI request brings out the scale of the BBC archive.
"The TV Digital Archive currently holds 5,009.1 terabytes of archival material (both transmitted and untransmitted).
The Radio Digital Archive currently holds 1.2 petabytes (both TX and non TX). [A petabyte is 1,024 terabytes]
Please be aware that these figures do not include Sport or News materials which are not held by
the central Archive.
We estimate that there are 1.5 million unique tape assets not yet digitised."
"The TV Digital Archive currently holds 5,009.1 terabytes of archival material (both transmitted and untransmitted).
The Radio Digital Archive currently holds 1.2 petabytes (both TX and non TX). [A petabyte is 1,024 terabytes]
Please be aware that these figures do not include Sport or News materials which are not held by
the central Archive.
We estimate that there are 1.5 million unique tape assets not yet digitised."
Mr Happy
Also back for a new season last night, refreshed and buffed up with a light Californian tan, Huws At Ten. Ratings not yet to hand.
I thought I'd highlight one of the comments that brought a reaction from the top Welsh newsreader de nos jours.
artbyrms And will you be taking over Question Time as well, by any chance? xxx
huwbbc @artbyrms Gosh what a radical idea!
I thought I'd highlight one of the comments that brought a reaction from the top Welsh newsreader de nos jours.
artbyrms And will you be taking over Question Time as well, by any chance? xxx
huwbbc @artbyrms Gosh what a radical idea!
Smaller portions, please
Former BBC HR boss Lucy Adams starts the new academic term with yet another blogpost that asks fundamental questions about her time with Auntie....
"Why do businesses have an obsession with big change programmes being better? At the BBC we instigated a change programme called Delivering Quality First (DQF), which felt (and was) massive, with multiple project streams and five year time horizons. These huge projects are always difficult and scary for everyone. If we want leaders to change willingly we have to shrink the size of the challenge they face."
"Why do businesses have an obsession with big change programmes being better? At the BBC we instigated a change programme called Delivering Quality First (DQF), which felt (and was) massive, with multiple project streams and five year time horizons. These huge projects are always difficult and scary for everyone. If we want leaders to change willingly we have to shrink the size of the challenge they face."
Behind Jed
The runaway success of Bodyguard is an acknowledgement that big drama has to have full cinematic/dvd values to demand the attention of UK tv audiences. I think its success flows from a combination of Wolf Hall, with terrific low-light shooting, and The Bridge, the Scandi-noir that first delivered outrageous plots with confidence and swagger.
Show-runner and writer Jed Mercurio could be more valuable to the BBC than Chris Evans. Unfortunately, Bodyguard is made by World Productions, and ITV Studios acquired a majority stake in May last year.
The two directors are John Strickland, who worked on Line of Duty, but whose experience goes back to The Bill; and Frenchman Thomas Vincent, who worked on Versailles and The Tunnel. Cinematographer John Lee shot much of Versailles, but also worked on The Tunnel.
Show-runner and writer Jed Mercurio could be more valuable to the BBC than Chris Evans. Unfortunately, Bodyguard is made by World Productions, and ITV Studios acquired a majority stake in May last year.
The two directors are John Strickland, who worked on Line of Duty, but whose experience goes back to The Bill; and Frenchman Thomas Vincent, who worked on Versailles and The Tunnel. Cinematographer John Lee shot much of Versailles, but also worked on The Tunnel.
Jessie
BBC News teams sometimes love a lock-in. Some not so much, stuck in BH beyond their shift, while police have fun with robots and a van; some more, stuck in nearby places of refreshment, unable to complete their shifts.
Yesterday's van was a welcome distraction from news of defections, and yet almost part of the story too...
Yesterday's van was a welcome distraction from news of defections, and yet almost part of the story too...
it’s parked in the area often. I took this photo in Feb 2017 (my friend is a dog called Jessie) pic.twitter.com/tjKdp2jlSi— Jacob Rickard (@producerjacob) September 3, 2018
Can also be seen in the background of the Chris Evans footage shot this morning pic.twitter.com/ZdWpt1444g— Thomas Mackintosh (@T_Mackintosh) September 3, 2018
Monday, September 3, 2018
Betting the ranch
Rebekah Wade is throwing money at radio: TalkRADIO have picked up the services of Matthew Wright, to run from 1pm to 4pm weekdays from September 10th. They're also paying for him to have a regular sidekick. “My new afternoon show will see me team up with Fleet Street legend, critic Kevin O’Sullivan – two real-life chums who don’t agree on anything."
For the past three weeks, Eamonn Holmes, on air from 4pm to 7pm, has also had a sidekick, in the form of Tania Bryer.
In the last quarter TalkRADIO had a weekly reach of 294,000.
For the past three weeks, Eamonn Holmes, on air from 4pm to 7pm, has also had a sidekick, in the form of Tania Bryer.
In the last quarter TalkRADIO had a weekly reach of 294,000.
Lively
It's more complicated than I guessed. Jeremy Vine's new show on Channel 5 records from 0815 to 0915 (the audience, who can claim a £10 'travel subsidy' for turning up, have to be there from 0745). Then it's live on air from 0915 to 1015. At that stage, the audience, guests, and most importantly Jeremy, leave, and the studio transmits the hour recorded earlier. Thus Jezzer can pedal to Wogan House for 1030.
In other presenter news...
In other presenter news...
After a long line of esteemed presenters including Terry Wogan, Anne Robinson and most recently Jeremy Vine, I’m taking over new-look (voice-only) @bbcPoV. A decision which will no doubt lead to complaints which I will no doubt read out on next week’s show. (On iplayer ICYMI) pic.twitter.com/pJJeJF2xUW— Tina Daheley (@TinaDaheley) September 2, 2018
Follow the money.
Last financial year Chris Evans earned something over £1.66m from the BBC. (Graham Norton probably got more money out of Auntie in total, but most was channelled through his production company.) He quit presenting Top Gear in July 2017, so some proportion of the £1.66m represents the final trickle of tv fees.
Prior to Top Gear, he was thought to be on around £1m for the Radio 2 Breakfast Show alone - but where would that salary have landed in the new world of BBC realism ? Wogan was believed to be on around £800k; second highest paid currently at Radio 2 is Steve Wright, on £550k. Clearly Chris Evans was open to offers - and News International's Rebekah Brooks decided to dosh up Scott Taunton, her radio boss at the Wireless Group, to acquire the Ginger One for Virgin Radio.
It's the radio station Chris used to own, with a weekly reach of 3.7m when he left in 2001. It's currently reaching a mere 413,000 listeners a week - down from a September 2017 peak of 556,000. On Radio 2, Evans reaches nine million a week.
Prior to Top Gear, he was thought to be on around £1m for the Radio 2 Breakfast Show alone - but where would that salary have landed in the new world of BBC realism ? Wogan was believed to be on around £800k; second highest paid currently at Radio 2 is Steve Wright, on £550k. Clearly Chris Evans was open to offers - and News International's Rebekah Brooks decided to dosh up Scott Taunton, her radio boss at the Wireless Group, to acquire the Ginger One for Virgin Radio.
It's the radio station Chris used to own, with a weekly reach of 3.7m when he left in 2001. It's currently reaching a mere 413,000 listeners a week - down from a September 2017 peak of 556,000. On Radio 2, Evans reaches nine million a week.
Casting around
"We look forward to launching a brand new Radio 2 Breakfast Show early in the New Year."
Thus R2 boss Lewis Carnie on the news that Chris Evans will leave the show in December. Lewis' biggest launch so far has been the Jo and Simon Show (more complaints than Coleen Nolan on Loose Women, and no movement yet), which looks like taking all of the planned six months and more to bed in. Drivetime was where Chris Evans was groomed for Breakfast. Can Bob and Lewis pull something out of a breakfast-host hat that looks at this stage empty ?
Thus R2 boss Lewis Carnie on the news that Chris Evans will leave the show in December. Lewis' biggest launch so far has been the Jo and Simon Show (more complaints than Coleen Nolan on Loose Women, and no movement yet), which looks like taking all of the planned six months and more to bed in. Drivetime was where Chris Evans was groomed for Breakfast. Can Bob and Lewis pull something out of a breakfast-host hat that looks at this stage empty ?
No Joe
After all that steamy stuff in Bodyguard, have BBC1's weekend bulletins become a little less exciting ?
It seems they are missing added-Joe-Lynam, the weekend-business-correspondent-prepared-to-twist-most-stories-into-his-brief. Genial Joe, cousin of Des, has closed down his Twitter account with BBC in the handle, and now is just @joeblynam.
He's been with Auntie for 17 years, and was one of the few in the team with first hand business experience - as an MDF salesman in Holland, and part-owner of a German pub chain. Seventeen years have brought Joe a fair share of scoops, and, at 48, we hope he's got more to share somewhere.
It seems they are missing added-Joe-Lynam, the weekend-business-correspondent-prepared-to-twist-most-stories-into-his-brief. Genial Joe, cousin of Des, has closed down his Twitter account with BBC in the handle, and now is just @joeblynam.
He's been with Auntie for 17 years, and was one of the few in the team with first hand business experience - as an MDF salesman in Holland, and part-owner of a German pub chain. Seventeen years have brought Joe a fair share of scoops, and, at 48, we hope he's got more to share somewhere.
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Let battle commence
PM is playing a very strong hand against Eddie Mair's first week at LBC - at least according to those who compile the Radio 4 schedules online. It'll be a mixture of Eddie Mair and Carolyn Quinn, with a couple of pictures of Jonny Dymond.....
Stew
The other side of the LBC glass from Eddie Mair on Monday will be fellow Scot Stewart Easton, most recently working on communications for SNP MPs at Westminster, "helping to ensure the SNP gets positive and fair coverage". He's had since August 20 to get his mind free from such thoughts.
Stewart worked with Eddie on Radio Scotland back in 1993, and again, left, on Broadcasting House in 2001. He went back north to be Editor of Good Morning Scotland and Head of News and Current Affairs for Radio Scotland.
Wrong John
No new BBC reporters in tonight's third episode of Bodyguard, but they have spelled the most expensive Today presenter's name wrong in the online credits. It's Humphrys, not Humphreys.
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Going our separate ways
The excellent team at Radio Today is tracking the slow return of local shows to the 7-10pm slot on BBC local radio. It says stations have got eight weeks to find something to fill the space - presumably that's when the "All-England" show finally closes down.
It started in January 2013, with host Mark Forrest promising listeners "radio gems and gold dust of broadcasting from all around local radio". The only listening figures we found weren't good. Estimates of the savings were put at just £1m, and it's probably going to cost more to re-instate the local shows.
Meanwhile, the current incarnation of the All-England programme seems to have turned into a beyond-parody phone-in with music.
It started in January 2013, with host Mark Forrest promising listeners "radio gems and gold dust of broadcasting from all around local radio". The only listening figures we found weren't good. Estimates of the savings were put at just £1m, and it's probably going to cost more to re-instate the local shows.
Meanwhile, the current incarnation of the All-England programme seems to have turned into a beyond-parody phone-in with music.
Here's me on your radio... tonight's show is all about the unusual, weird or memorable things you've ridden on or in. hang gliders, hovercrafts, space ships etc or memoble moments whilst travelling like sharing a bus with a crate of chickens etc. What you got fools? pic.twitter.com/awjKZNUQrW— Johnathan I'Anson (@johnnyianson) July 30, 2018
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