Jeff Zycinski, last serving head of Radio Scotland, has written a memoir, available in January, entitled "The Red Light Zone". Here's the blurb - presumably penned by Jeff himself.
"Stop! Danger! Sex for sale! A red light can signify any one of those, but in a radio station it means a microphone has gone live: the walls may be soundproof, but in studio space, everyone can hear you scream ... or sneeze. For twenty-five years, Jeff Zycinski worked for BBC Radio and became the longest-serving boss of Radio Scotland. He made the big decisions buying a new vacuum cleaner for the Selkirk office and chaired a meeting that almost erupted in violence when someone suggested cats were better than dogs. He has a lot to say about Brexit, Scottish Independence, football, BBC bias, Islam and strippers ... but not in this book. Okay, he talks about them a bit ... mainly the strippers. An affectionate, humorous account of inside life at the Beeb. You will never buy chips in the same way again!"
Friday, November 30, 2018
Moving on
Dame Sue Owen is stepping down as Permanent Secretary at the DCMS, aged 63. She's been with the department since 2013.
Sue's heritage is Liverpool; her grandfather was a ship's carpenter from Bootle, her father's ashes form part of the pitch at Goodison Park; and she's kept a special eye on cultural projects in the city, including the Philharmonic working in schools in West Everton. Pity the DCMS can't stop councils cutting that sort of learning...
She went to school at Lady Eleanor Holles in Hampton, and then to Newnham College Cambridge. Then followed research in economics (women in the labour market) at Cardiff University, before a move to the Civil Service. She worked on the introduction of paternity leave, and helped devise the five tests that stopped us joining the Euro. Her role in the Osborne/Whittingdale assault on the BBC in Charter Renewal is a mystery.
She can look forward to an end to the 45-minute commute from her villa just north of Crystal Palace, where she lives with sociologist Martyn Albrow.
Sue's heritage is Liverpool; her grandfather was a ship's carpenter from Bootle, her father's ashes form part of the pitch at Goodison Park; and she's kept a special eye on cultural projects in the city, including the Philharmonic working in schools in West Everton. Pity the DCMS can't stop councils cutting that sort of learning...
She went to school at Lady Eleanor Holles in Hampton, and then to Newnham College Cambridge. Then followed research in economics (women in the labour market) at Cardiff University, before a move to the Civil Service. She worked on the introduction of paternity leave, and helped devise the five tests that stopped us joining the Euro. Her role in the Osborne/Whittingdale assault on the BBC in Charter Renewal is a mystery.
She can look forward to an end to the 45-minute commute from her villa just north of Crystal Palace, where she lives with sociologist Martyn Albrow.
Fora-ging
Tortoise Media invited members to its new offices in Eastcastle St W1 last night, for a Think-In on Brexit. They've rented serviced offices at Fora Fitzrovia - not cheap, at £950 per month per desk, unless James Harding has secured a better deal than advertised. Their previous base, another Fora, in Clerkenwell, had at least 32 workstations, shelling out £30k a month before a thought is thunk. The new offices have additional space for Think-Ins to be captured on video.
Fora is backed by Brockton Capital. Fora Fitzrovia is very handy for The Champion, a Sam Smith pub, to the east, and the branded eateries of Market Place, to the west.
Fora is backed by Brockton Capital. Fora Fitzrovia is very handy for The Champion, a Sam Smith pub, to the east, and the branded eateries of Market Place, to the west.
Needled
I wonder how many Beeboids are nipping down Great Portland Street for a little boost at the end of a needle ? Hydromax, Ultraviv, Megaboost, Vitaglow and Royal Flush ?
All part of the service offered by new opening, Reviv. Here's the blurb:
REVIV IV Infusion therapies deliver hydration, vitamins, and antioxidants helping to optimise vital hydration balance and maximise your wellness & efficiency. Whether looking to boost your immune system or recover from hangover or flu symptoms, REVIV offers a quick and efficient way to restore your body to a healthy balance.
Energy Booster Shots B12, Slimboost, Glutathione, and CoQ10+ take only seconds to administer and their wellness benefits last for days.
REVIV London wellness therapies are performed by REVIV’s Certified Medical Staff who can also travel to your location via concierge service so you can experience REVIV IV infusion therapies and Energy Booster Shots in the comfort, privacy, and convenience of your own home, office, or hotel room.
Basic vitamin shots start at £29; the Royal Flush (a combo of Ultraviv, Megaboost and Vitaglow) comes in at £349 - recommended as "the top choice therapy for those suffering from an extreme hangover, food poisoning, colds & flu-like symptoms, allergies or for anyone that is completely worn out and exhausted."
All part of the service offered by new opening, Reviv. Here's the blurb:
REVIV IV Infusion therapies deliver hydration, vitamins, and antioxidants helping to optimise vital hydration balance and maximise your wellness & efficiency. Whether looking to boost your immune system or recover from hangover or flu symptoms, REVIV offers a quick and efficient way to restore your body to a healthy balance.
Energy Booster Shots B12, Slimboost, Glutathione, and CoQ10+ take only seconds to administer and their wellness benefits last for days.
REVIV London wellness therapies are performed by REVIV’s Certified Medical Staff who can also travel to your location via concierge service so you can experience REVIV IV infusion therapies and Energy Booster Shots in the comfort, privacy, and convenience of your own home, office, or hotel room.
Basic vitamin shots start at £29; the Royal Flush (a combo of Ultraviv, Megaboost and Vitaglow) comes in at £349 - recommended as "the top choice therapy for those suffering from an extreme hangover, food poisoning, colds & flu-like symptoms, allergies or for anyone that is completely worn out and exhausted."
Making it interesting
The BBC has decided that there is insufficient jeopardy in the way our Eurovision Song Contest entry is selected. So this year, there will be three songs, and each song will be sung in turn by two different artistes ('making it their own', is the phrase, I believe), to go to a public vote before a final selection.
I suspect the same production team is working on the format of the May/Corbyn Brexit debate.
I suspect the same production team is working on the format of the May/Corbyn Brexit debate.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Modern history
Whilst Madness may well be a very popular band, and quite appropriate to help BBC1 viewers into 2019, I still have problems with Auntie's current approach to popular music.
Madness' first and only number 1 hit, House of Fun, charted in 1982. That's 36 years ago. The Beatles' first number 1, officially speaking, was From Me To You in 1963. If the BBC had adopted a similar approach to music, New Year's Eve 1963 might have featured a top artiste from 1927. Wikipedia suggests Herbert Farjeon's music hall favourite "I've danced with a man, who's danced with a girl, who's danced with the Prince of Wales" or Will Fyffe's rendition of his own composition, "I Belong to Glasgow".
New Year's Eve 1963 on BBC tv featured a Benny Hill sitcom, Michael Bentine's Square World, a special edition of women's magazine soap Compact, an episode of The Dick Powell Theatre, introduced by one Ronald Reagan, and, yes, The Andy Stewart Show. Maybe there's an old handbook in play...
Madness' first and only number 1 hit, House of Fun, charted in 1982. That's 36 years ago. The Beatles' first number 1, officially speaking, was From Me To You in 1963. If the BBC had adopted a similar approach to music, New Year's Eve 1963 might have featured a top artiste from 1927. Wikipedia suggests Herbert Farjeon's music hall favourite "I've danced with a man, who's danced with a girl, who's danced with the Prince of Wales" or Will Fyffe's rendition of his own composition, "I Belong to Glasgow".
New Year's Eve 1963 on BBC tv featured a Benny Hill sitcom, Michael Bentine's Square World, a special edition of women's magazine soap Compact, an episode of The Dick Powell Theatre, introduced by one Ronald Reagan, and, yes, The Andy Stewart Show. Maybe there's an old handbook in play...
Criminal record
Chapeau to the FOI inquirer who finally framed a question to the satisfaction of the BBC. It would undoubtedly have saved a few licence-fees if Auntie's protectors of data had answered first-time round.
“Please provide the number of allegations of crimes at BBC premises in London in 2018.
"105 allegations of crime have been made at New Broadcasting House and Broadcast Centre
between 1st January 2018 and the date of your request.
"However, please note this figure includes allegations which might have occurred outside of
BBC premises but were reported by an individual at these offices.
"Please note that it is the responsibility of the Police to determine whether an actual crime has
occurred and subsequently what action is to be taken."
“Please provide the number of allegations of crimes at BBC premises in London in 2018.
"105 allegations of crime have been made at New Broadcasting House and Broadcast Centre
between 1st January 2018 and the date of your request.
"However, please note this figure includes allegations which might have occurred outside of
BBC premises but were reported by an individual at these offices.
"Please note that it is the responsibility of the Police to determine whether an actual crime has
occurred and subsequently what action is to be taken."
It's all about the furniture
How 'formal' will the all-new Scottish Nine be ? Editor Hayley Valentine's words as reported by The Herald are somewhat opaque “We are very definitely a news programme – it has two presenters and a sofa, and we want that relationship to be part of the programme, but that is as far as it goes.”
Presumably she also considered two armchairs, some bar stools, a chaise-longue, and a range of different stances in the hunt for informal innovation in the relationship with two presenters. Ms Valentine continues: “We will aim to bring the best of the BBC, so you will see some well-kent faces from the 6 o’clock news and 10 o’clock news, alongside the best of what is on BBC Scotland.”
My online Oxford Dictionary says well-kent means 'familiar'. The construction goes way back: "Mid 16th century; earliest use found in David Lindsay (c1486–1555), writer and herald. In some forms from well + kenned." Current use is almost entirely within Scotland, according to a cursory Google search.
Lindsay, based near Aberdeen, wrote poems including The Deploratioun of the Deith of Quene Magdalene (‘O Cruell Deith, to greit is thy puissance’), a morality play, Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaits ( 'The mysdemeanours of Busshops Religious persones and preists within the Realme'). The comedic devices of The Testament and Complaynt of Our Soverane Lordis Papyngo included a dying parrot giving advice to the King and his court. Must tell Mr Cryer....
Here's more Hayley.
Presumably she also considered two armchairs, some bar stools, a chaise-longue, and a range of different stances in the hunt for informal innovation in the relationship with two presenters. Ms Valentine continues: “We will aim to bring the best of the BBC, so you will see some well-kent faces from the 6 o’clock news and 10 o’clock news, alongside the best of what is on BBC Scotland.”
My online Oxford Dictionary says well-kent means 'familiar'. The construction goes way back: "Mid 16th century; earliest use found in David Lindsay (c1486–1555), writer and herald. In some forms from well + kenned." Current use is almost entirely within Scotland, according to a cursory Google search.
Lindsay, based near Aberdeen, wrote poems including The Deploratioun of the Deith of Quene Magdalene (‘O Cruell Deith, to greit is thy puissance’), a morality play, Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaits ( 'The mysdemeanours of Busshops Religious persones and preists within the Realme'). The comedic devices of The Testament and Complaynt of Our Soverane Lordis Papyngo included a dying parrot giving advice to the King and his court. Must tell Mr Cryer....
Here's more Hayley.
📺 ICYMI: Yesterday, The Nine's Editor @HayleyVa announced what viewers can expect to see when the programme launches on the new @BBCScotland channel in February. pic.twitter.com/JYy7uyoNil— BBC Scotland Comms (@BBCScotComms) November 29, 2018
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
The world through Scottish eyes
Official photos of the set for the Scottish Nine have been released. Hard to keep secret, as it's placed at the top of David Chipperfield's sandstone steps up the atrium of Pacific Quay. One hopes protestors don't work out that a good loud shouting match at reception will probably work it's way up to the mikes.
And here are the main presenters. Martin Geissler's lack of tie might survive through to first transmission, but not long after. The jeans will have gone way before that.
And here are the main presenters. Martin Geissler's lack of tie might survive through to first transmission, but not long after. The jeans will have gone way before that.
Letts go
Quentin Letts, freelance, says he's ended his deal with the Mail. This is presumably because of a combination of new editor Geordie Greig, and Geordie Greig's unwavering backing of the May solution to Brexit.
Quentin will presumably offer more to The Telegraph, and must have calculated the fees will still cover his midweek stays in a 'drunk bunk' at The Savile Club, before weekend returns to domestic bliss, The Church, and Country in How Caple, outside Ross-On-Wye.
Two years ago, Quentin asked "What's The Point of the Met Office ?" on Radio 4, a programme you can no longer hear on BBC Sounds. Quentin, according to the findings of the BBC Trust, had outwitted his producers : "The task of casting contributors was shared by the Producer and the Presenter. The Producer was unaware that the two MPs who featured in the programme
were known for their strong views on climate change. "
Quentin will presumably offer more to The Telegraph, and must have calculated the fees will still cover his midweek stays in a 'drunk bunk' at The Savile Club, before weekend returns to domestic bliss, The Church, and Country in How Caple, outside Ross-On-Wye.
Two years ago, Quentin asked "What's The Point of the Met Office ?" on Radio 4, a programme you can no longer hear on BBC Sounds. Quentin, according to the findings of the BBC Trust, had outwitted his producers : "The task of casting contributors was shared by the Producer and the Presenter. The Producer was unaware that the two MPs who featured in the programme
were known for their strong views on climate change. "
- Thursday 0845 update: Mr Letts tells the Guardian: “I have had 18 busy and exciting years writing for the Mail and its fine readers but I have now agreed a future economic partnership – as Guardian readers might put it - with the Times, Sunday Times and the Sun.”
It's for you
Fiona Bruce seems to be 'on hold' about the Question Time gig; last night she was relaxing in front of 1200 at the Battersea Evolution, presenting the 2018 European Contact Centre & Customer Service Awards, with nominees from 19 countries.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Cul-de-sac
The Midlands edition of the Metro has a tale which links sports presenter Jim Rosenthal, BBC DG Lord Hall and former Archers editor Vanessa Whitburn.
Face value
Private Eye, being fortnightly, is not always up to speed.
In fact, there's a new groovy model that appeared alongside the launch of BBC Sounds. Not to be mistaken for dog-lover Paul O'Grady.
In fact, there's a new groovy model that appeared alongside the launch of BBC Sounds. Not to be mistaken for dog-lover Paul O'Grady.
Down with the kids
The drive towards a young audience for BBC television continues with the announcement of Christmas programming. There's a Take That special. There's a history of Fleetwood Mac (Mick Fleetwood is 71), and a documentary on Bros (Matt Goss is 50). There are to be four seasonal editions of Top of The Pops, last seen in regular schedules in 2006.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Culture change
No, not an hair product promotion photo from a 1970s women's mag, but the headshot chosen by the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants for their London conference, of the BBC's Chief Customer Officer, Kerris Bright.Kerris was part of a panel discussing the vital role of Chief Marketing Officers in our modern business world: "Today's best CMOs are disruptors. They are increasingly the change agents within an organization, responsible for a relentless customer-first approach, leveraging data analytics to drive innovation, and often transforming the entire business model. CMOs are also increasingly drivers of culture change — their success measured by the impact they have on corporate culture."
Three become One
A small coup for Radio 1/1Xtra: they've nicked Kiss FM's breakfast team of Rickie Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges to fill the evening gap left by Charlie Sloth.
They move from a Kiss audience of around 2m (owners Bauer note it's part of "the UK’s largest multimedia brand for 15-34 year olds, reaching over 16 million people across multiple touchpoints"). They will be less exposed on evening show across Radio 1 and 1Xtra, running 9pm-11pm Monday to Thursday in the New Year. One suspects that there's more on offer from the BBC in the contract package.
The trio are somewhat outside the target audience age of 15-29, have met as students at Bedfordshire University at the turn of the century.
They move from a Kiss audience of around 2m (owners Bauer note it's part of "the UK’s largest multimedia brand for 15-34 year olds, reaching over 16 million people across multiple touchpoints"). They will be less exposed on evening show across Radio 1 and 1Xtra, running 9pm-11pm Monday to Thursday in the New Year. One suspects that there's more on offer from the BBC in the contract package.
The trio are somewhat outside the target audience age of 15-29, have met as students at Bedfordshire University at the turn of the century.
Upping their game
A word of advice to those annoying placard wavers that have monstered recent news broadcasts from outside Parliament: a visit to the hardware shop for a clothes prop or two maybe necessary if you're going to get in shot from today....
1430 Update: They've already got long bendy poles !Great 12 Hour shift put in by the Team today in London outside ‘The Houses Of Parliament’ Two Presentation Platform installed on a last minute request from the BBC #london #housesofparliament #bigben #abingdongreen #bbc #structures #platforms #scaffolding #staging pic.twitter.com/mFkUgsZw5M— Focus Media Scaffold (@FocusRigging) November 25, 2018
We’re going to need a bigger platform...https://t.co/q7FR1QqIIO— Nick Eardley (@nickeardleybbc) November 26, 2018
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Itchy feet ?
The Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge, Roger Mosey, has been active with advice for his previous employer, the BBC, in public prints recently. In the FT, he says the BBC is having "the wrong conversation" with licence-fee payers about what to do next about free licences for the over-75s.
He suggests that, if the BBC is allowed to claw back some funding by changing the rules, it shouldn't all necessarily, be spent on BBC output.
"The solution, if the BBC does win the argument on the concession, may be to widen the debate about how UK public service broadcasting is funded. The BBC always reaches for the smelling salts at the idea of “top-slicing” (in which a proportion of the licence fee is sliced off for other providers), but it has happened already: the corporation has paid for the rollout of rural broadband, and it has contributed £15m to the unwise project for local television. Why, for instance, should not some of the cash released from the licence fee concession go to news organisations that share a commitment to truth and accuracy but may provide alternative agendas and viewpoints?
So if we really must have a big conversation: let it range freely. In this diverse and digital age, public service can no longer be defined by the BBC alone."
Roger is now five years into his tenure at Selwyn. Mischievous wiseacres have suggested this could be a pitch for a nice little commission of enquiry about public service broadcasting, or perhaps a marker for the attention of ministers preparing a succession plan for the current BBC chair, the entirely-unnoticeable Sir David Clementi.
He suggests that, if the BBC is allowed to claw back some funding by changing the rules, it shouldn't all necessarily, be spent on BBC output.
"The solution, if the BBC does win the argument on the concession, may be to widen the debate about how UK public service broadcasting is funded. The BBC always reaches for the smelling salts at the idea of “top-slicing” (in which a proportion of the licence fee is sliced off for other providers), but it has happened already: the corporation has paid for the rollout of rural broadband, and it has contributed £15m to the unwise project for local television. Why, for instance, should not some of the cash released from the licence fee concession go to news organisations that share a commitment to truth and accuracy but may provide alternative agendas and viewpoints?
So if we really must have a big conversation: let it range freely. In this diverse and digital age, public service can no longer be defined by the BBC alone."
Roger is now five years into his tenure at Selwyn. Mischievous wiseacres have suggested this could be a pitch for a nice little commission of enquiry about public service broadcasting, or perhaps a marker for the attention of ministers preparing a succession plan for the current BBC chair, the entirely-unnoticeable Sir David Clementi.
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Distant drums
I fear for the future of Little Drummer Girl; the first episode played to over 7m over seven days, but, with two episodes to go, we're below 5m and falling.
Some of that is due to the arrival of I'm a Celebrity. But the Little Drummer Girl is suffering from too many cooks, and lacks the impact of the Night Manager.
Le Carre researched his story from a base in Israel, and consciously tried to build around the left-wing leanings of his actress half-sister, Charlotte Cornwell. He thought it should have been dramatised with her in the lead a long time ago. There are no less than three Le Carre/Cornwells billed as executive producers, in partnership with a South Korean director and a South Korean composer. The script writers are Michael Lesslie and Claire Wilson. Michael Lesslie was supposed to be adapting Rogue Male for Benedict Cumberbatch, but there's no sign of it as yet.
It looks fine, but there's little rationale or motivation in the female lead - as written or acted. In the US, satellite chanel AMC ran two episodes a night for three consecutive nights, which might have helped in concentrating on the plot.
Some of that is due to the arrival of I'm a Celebrity. But the Little Drummer Girl is suffering from too many cooks, and lacks the impact of the Night Manager.
Le Carre researched his story from a base in Israel, and consciously tried to build around the left-wing leanings of his actress half-sister, Charlotte Cornwell. He thought it should have been dramatised with her in the lead a long time ago. There are no less than three Le Carre/Cornwells billed as executive producers, in partnership with a South Korean director and a South Korean composer. The script writers are Michael Lesslie and Claire Wilson. Michael Lesslie was supposed to be adapting Rogue Male for Benedict Cumberbatch, but there's no sign of it as yet.
It looks fine, but there's little rationale or motivation in the female lead - as written or acted. In the US, satellite chanel AMC ran two episodes a night for three consecutive nights, which might have helped in concentrating on the plot.
Solidarity
Praise from one Alex Armitage/Noel Gay artiste for another
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) November 22, 2018
Friday, November 23, 2018
Double your money
The Times reveals that Auntie is spending £3m this financial year on marketing the BBC Sounds app. £630k of that went in just two days on a party in Tate Modern featuring uber-entertainer Nile Rogers, the hire of the London Eye for 24 hours and dawn projections on the old County Hall building.
So that's £3m on top of £3m on additional content, plus the cost of a 10+ strong software team for a year.... Anymore for anymore?
Thursday, November 22, 2018
BBC backs BAC
BBC DG Lord Hall and his wife Cynthia have signed up as Patrons of the Bridport Arts Centre: "We're both delighted to help this gem in the middle of Bridport. Their plans and programmes are rightly ambitious, and exciting. It's a privilege to be involved."
Tonight's film is Studio 54, the documentary about the New York disco; tomorrow on stage is Truth, a " beautiful and thought-provoking song theatre show which explores the once-simple notion of Truth in our messy modern age of fake news."
Bridport and nearby West Bay (Bridport Harbour, as was) formed the key parts of Chris Chibnall's fictional crime hotspot, Broadchurch.
The Halls have a cottage 5 miles west of the Arts Centre.
Tonight's film is Studio 54, the documentary about the New York disco; tomorrow on stage is Truth, a " beautiful and thought-provoking song theatre show which explores the once-simple notion of Truth in our messy modern age of fake news."
Bridport and nearby West Bay (Bridport Harbour, as was) formed the key parts of Chris Chibnall's fictional crime hotspot, Broadchurch.
The Halls have a cottage 5 miles west of the Arts Centre.
Staged
The rise and fall of this country's hardline Brexiteers may be bracketed by two images. The first - that bus slogan. The second - the ERG press conference in the Upper Room of the Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, chaired by Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Whatever talent this lot had for PR deserted them entirely that day. Brexiteers were, we thought, plain-speaking, business-orientated, loyalists, fed up with traditional politics. It was all obvious common sense, and bright 'bad-boys', like Bojo, Arron Banks, Andy Wigmore and Raheem Kassan piled in behind Farage, and took economic validation of their strategy from Shankar Singham, rather than answer difficult questions directly. Only dangerous idiots could argue against "Take back control", eh ?
However on 20th November, assembled against the background of a "Global Britain" logo, a giant screen, and a huge brick vault, Jacob Rees-Mogg sat in the centre of six white elderly men, at a blue baize table. It looked like a praesidium. The Mogg voice echoed echoed around the hard acoustics, as he made his points with slow, chopping hand movements.
We had David Davis (Territorial Army and Warwick University), 69; John Mills (Glenalmond College and Merton, Oxford, founder of JML, selling pots and pans on tv) 80; Lord (Peter) Lilley (Dulwich College and Clare Cambridge) 75; Sir David Ord (University College, London, co-owner of the Bristol Port Company)70; Hans Maessen, from a Dutch import-export company, now making money from customs software 'solutions'; and Simon Boyd, MD of REIDsteel, which specialises in building stadiums - from the Holte End at Aston Villa, to the Rockingham Speedway Stadium.
They may have been there to provide a breadth of unarguable specialist expertise, but they looked an Orwellian Senate. If it walks like a duck....
Whatever talent this lot had for PR deserted them entirely that day. Brexiteers were, we thought, plain-speaking, business-orientated, loyalists, fed up with traditional politics. It was all obvious common sense, and bright 'bad-boys', like Bojo, Arron Banks, Andy Wigmore and Raheem Kassan piled in behind Farage, and took economic validation of their strategy from Shankar Singham, rather than answer difficult questions directly. Only dangerous idiots could argue against "Take back control", eh ?
However on 20th November, assembled against the background of a "Global Britain" logo, a giant screen, and a huge brick vault, Jacob Rees-Mogg sat in the centre of six white elderly men, at a blue baize table. It looked like a praesidium. The Mogg voice echoed echoed around the hard acoustics, as he made his points with slow, chopping hand movements.
We had David Davis (Territorial Army and Warwick University), 69; John Mills (Glenalmond College and Merton, Oxford, founder of JML, selling pots and pans on tv) 80; Lord (Peter) Lilley (Dulwich College and Clare Cambridge) 75; Sir David Ord (University College, London, co-owner of the Bristol Port Company)70; Hans Maessen, from a Dutch import-export company, now making money from customs software 'solutions'; and Simon Boyd, MD of REIDsteel, which specialises in building stadiums - from the Holte End at Aston Villa, to the Rockingham Speedway Stadium.
They may have been there to provide a breadth of unarguable specialist expertise, but they looked an Orwellian Senate. If it walks like a duck....
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
A little light presentation
BBC Editorial Director Kamal Ahmed, thinking big thoughts since November 5, has enough time, apparently, to co-host a new series of podcasts under the Radio 4 brand. It's called The Disrupters, and Kamal is paired with Rohan Silva, a former tech advisor to Cameron and Osborne, and founder of Second Home, a members-club-style workspace for start-ups in Spitalfields.
Rohan reviewed Kamal's autobiography for the Evening Standard, which, he said, was 'brilliant'.
Rohan reviewed Kamal's autobiography for the Evening Standard, which, he said, was 'brilliant'.
WITH LINK! The remarkable @Marthalanefox and @brenthoberman on the rise (and almost fall) of @lastminute_com with my chum @Silva Episode 3 of our entrepreneurs podcast The Disrupters @BBCSounds https://t.co/yoPtNNWi3D— Kamal Ahmed (@bbckamal) November 20, 2018
Minutiae
Little to report from the July meeting of the BBC Board, where the good bits have all been redacted.
We learn of extra dosh for Strictly Come Dancing (referred to as "the flagship entertainment series for BBCOne) and It Takes Two; that the 'materiality assessment' of possible impact on competitors by the introduction of BBC Sounds found no issues; and that discussions with Discovery about the future of UKTV were ongoing. They still are.
We learn of extra dosh for Strictly Come Dancing (referred to as "the flagship entertainment series for BBCOne) and It Takes Two; that the 'materiality assessment' of possible impact on competitors by the introduction of BBC Sounds found no issues; and that discussions with Discovery about the future of UKTV were ongoing. They still are.
Look and feel
Mmm. I bang on about how cluttered BBC Radio studios look on webcams, and lo, the BBC News Creative Director (largely tv) turns up for a morning with Today. (PS Radio 5Live has improved visually recently, though still remains fairly sepulchral).
On air... pic.twitter.com/FLsm73YiiT— Chris Cook (@chrisckmedia) November 21, 2018
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
FFS
As so, farewell, For Facts Sake. The final episode, at 9.30pm on BBC1 last night, was watched by an average of just 870k (4.1%). Of course, it was up against I'm A Celebrity - but it's probably the lowest ever rating for an entertainment show on the BBC's prime network at peak.
Free thinking
The BBC press release launching the public consultation on licence fees for the over-75s puts it quite starkly. Keeping them free would cost "around a fifth of our budget - the equivalent to what we spend today on all of BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, the BBC News Channel, CBBC and CBeebies."
Of course, there are other ways of cutting that cookie, but it's now important to get people thinking about it. You have til 12 February.
Of course, there are other ways of cutting that cookie, but it's now important to get people thinking about it. You have til 12 February.
Round the clock
"We’re creating a talent pool of producers on a freelance basis who we can contact to work with us at peak times."
Thus a new ad from BBC World News, the global tv service. I'm sure this is not an attempt to introduce a dock labour scheme at Broadcasting House, but the idea that global news - news from a world where someone is always awake - has peaks and troughs is a very UK-centric approach.
Thus a new ad from BBC World News, the global tv service. I'm sure this is not an attempt to introduce a dock labour scheme at Broadcasting House, but the idea that global news - news from a world where someone is always awake - has peaks and troughs is a very UK-centric approach.
In their time ?
Metadata issues at BBC Sounds....
We could do In Our Time.— Simon Mayo (@simonmayo) November 20, 2018
Monday, November 19, 2018
New model
“I don’t want to be too hard on the HR department, but it is like talking to a dodgy car dealer: they know they have a faulty vehicle and they are trying to sell it to you. You need to be signalling to them that you are not going to stand for that.”
Carrie Gracie, BBC presenter-on-leave, in a speech to the Fawcett Society.
Carrie Gracie, BBC presenter-on-leave, in a speech to the Fawcett Society.
Faang-ed
Among those taking the Netflix shilling in the past week - Sam Hodges, currently spinning for Twitter, but in charge of comms for BBC TV from 2011 to 2015 (career start: BBC press assistant). Also joining: Kate Toft, head of comms for BBC Studios, who used to work for Sam in BBC TV.
Anne Mensah, head of drama for Sky, is also joining the new Netflix European team - she was head of indie drama at the BBC from 2001 to 2011.
Anne Mensah, head of drama for Sky, is also joining the new Netflix European team - she was head of indie drama at the BBC from 2001 to 2011.
New: Expect people to behave well
BBC Radio and Education, already diverting at least £3m to podcasts (never mind the parties and lightshows), is making changes. And now seeks an Internal Communication and Engagement Lead to drive them through. Success is the only option, as the job is offered as a six-month contract.
"The Radio & Education division of the BBC is making a series of changes to ensure we remain relevant to the next generation of audiences. This includes making changes to our content offer; but also to how we work."
"Throughout 2018 we have been working with colleagues across the division to begin this process. We are particularly interested in how we can become more agile, responsive and innovative. We identified what we needed to stop, start and continue doing to make our culture even better, and agreed to:
Set clear goals, that everyone understands
Nurture great managers
Free up everyone's time to make a bigger difference
Expect people to behave well
Share, collaborate and communicate better
"We have developed the first stage of our plan and now need to implement this across the division."
"The Radio & Education division of the BBC is making a series of changes to ensure we remain relevant to the next generation of audiences. This includes making changes to our content offer; but also to how we work."
"Throughout 2018 we have been working with colleagues across the division to begin this process. We are particularly interested in how we can become more agile, responsive and innovative. We identified what we needed to stop, start and continue doing to make our culture even better, and agreed to:
Set clear goals, that everyone understands
Nurture great managers
Free up everyone's time to make a bigger difference
Expect people to behave well
Share, collaborate and communicate better
"We have developed the first stage of our plan and now need to implement this across the division."
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Off the ball
I hope Zoe Ball will get a good production team when she takes over from Chris Evans at Radio 2. Her current Saturday show on the network, three hours from 3pm, is all over the place. But it hit new levels of vacuity yesterday, when Angela Scanlon covered the slot (with Zoe in Blackpool).
A producer (I presume there was one) let her start with a call-out for misheard lyrics, and it went downhill from there. Station boss Lewis Carnie should be tied to a chair and made to listen to the full 180 minutes on Monday, and then compelled write a four page report for bosses Bob and Jim on how this had anything to do with distinctive public service broadcasting.
A producer (I presume there was one) let her start with a call-out for misheard lyrics, and it went downhill from there. Station boss Lewis Carnie should be tied to a chair and made to listen to the full 180 minutes on Monday, and then compelled write a four page report for bosses Bob and Jim on how this had anything to do with distinctive public service broadcasting.
Vowel, please
A slight relaxation in the tense chests of newsreaders worldwide: Hery Rajaonarimampianina has dropped out after the first round of voting in the Madagascan presidential elections. But Andry Rajoelina and Marc Ravalomanana are still in play for the second round run-off on December 19th.
There've been lots of allegations of election fraud and malpractice, so it's possible we may hear more from election supervisor Hery Rakotomanana.
There've been lots of allegations of election fraud and malpractice, so it's possible we may hear more from election supervisor Hery Rakotomanana.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
The Great Escape
Et voila ! In less than 24 hours, Johnston Press has been sold to its bondholders, and will in future be known as JPIMedia. In return for the assets, they've agreed cut what they're owed, to £85m, maturing in 2023, and say they're putting in £35m of new money. And, of course, the pension scheme is now somebody else's problem.
David King (former BBC worldwide finance operative) transfers straight from CEO JP to CEO JPI. A new name joins him on the JPI board - turn-round specialist John Ensall, who has apparently worked miracles for Findus Foods and Addis, currently non-exec at Irish mining group Kenmare. .
David King (former BBC worldwide finance operative) transfers straight from CEO JP to CEO JPI. A new name joins him on the JPI board - turn-round specialist John Ensall, who has apparently worked miracles for Findus Foods and Addis, currently non-exec at Irish mining group Kenmare. .
From the ditch to the hedge
If the current board of Johnston Press get their way, Britain's fourth largest regional newspaper group will soon be transferred to a new company, featuring most of the existing directors and the guiding hand of major bondholder GoldenTree Asset Management, of Park Avenue, New York, lead by Steve Tananbaum.
It's becoming a familiar process, and one a less-distracted Government should think about. This pre-pack route into administration allows failing directors to ditch pension scheme obligations, without apparent penalty.
I'm not sure Norwegian raider Christen Ager-Hanssen and his Custos Group could have done better. But they have a fine line in indignation: "This Board is purely self-interested, with a toxic mix of incompentence, arrogance and entitlement added. Their actions today, ensuring their own jobs are safe, but sacrificing the pensions of their loyal staff, many of whom will no doubt lose their jobs under the new ownership of a US hedge fund, is simply a disgrace and a vulgar display of the worst elements of capitalism."
It's becoming a familiar process, and one a less-distracted Government should think about. This pre-pack route into administration allows failing directors to ditch pension scheme obligations, without apparent penalty.
I'm not sure Norwegian raider Christen Ager-Hanssen and his Custos Group could have done better. But they have a fine line in indignation: "This Board is purely self-interested, with a toxic mix of incompentence, arrogance and entitlement added. Their actions today, ensuring their own jobs are safe, but sacrificing the pensions of their loyal staff, many of whom will no doubt lose their jobs under the new ownership of a US hedge fund, is simply a disgrace and a vulgar display of the worst elements of capitalism."
Judgement
I have a feeling this late night tweet from Andrew Neil is not a dead issue. He's sharp, but he's a smart-arse, and he needs a script editor. The tone is simply not appropriate for a regular BBC presenter; the line wouldn't have been allowed on Mock The Week or The Mash Report. Ms Unsworth may need to do more than make him delete it and tap his knuckles with a Social Media policy guide....
For goodness sake someone at the BBC sort this out. https://t.co/3w6FiNelyK— Gavin Esler (@gavinesler) November 16, 2018
Friday, November 16, 2018
Sticking their necks out
In slower news, Tortoise closes its online-early-bird-more-complex-than-Easyjet-subscription offers on Kickstarter tonight. At time of writing they've raised pledges of £526,538, from 2,443 people. They'd like to get to 3,000.
They've also been piloting their member 'Think-Ins' - attendees get a 44 page briefing note on the topics under discussion. This week there were sessions zingily entitled "The Anatomy of Football: The Player's Life - Dream or Delusion ?" and "The Question of Gender: Who decides who we are ?".
At this stage we have no idea if celebrity supporters Steven Mangan and Alexander Armstrong (both Cambridge University contemporaries of James Harding) showed up.
They've also been piloting their member 'Think-Ins' - attendees get a 44 page briefing note on the topics under discussion. This week there were sessions zingily entitled "The Anatomy of Football: The Player's Life - Dream or Delusion ?" and "The Question of Gender: Who decides who we are ?".
At this stage we have no idea if celebrity supporters Steven Mangan and Alexander Armstrong (both Cambridge University contemporaries of James Harding) showed up.
A range of voices
A BBC manager once asked me to be “less Scottish” on air.— Quentin Sommerville (@sommervilletv) November 16, 2018
He’s long gone and I’m Middle East correspondent. ✌🏻
We need more people from different backgrounds here. So in case you hadn’t realised; if you’re the son or daughter of Glasgow van driver, then the BBC is for you. https://t.co/zc94PvB1r0
I was told I'd never make it because my accent was.... undetermined... I became the State Department correspondent and interviewed 3 Secretaries of State...— Kim Ghattas (@BBCKimGhattas) November 16, 2018
My first reporting job was in Cardiff and I was told I sounded too South London— Rory Cellan-Jones (@ruskin147) November 16, 2018
Growth in job
How hang things with John Shield, the BBC Communications supremo ? It's been an eventful year so far; he was moved up to Board level in January, and the package rose from £159k to £195k as he took extra responsibility for the entirely-different-to-PR 'Corporate Affairs' department.
He's spread his wings with PR conference appearances in Oslo and Zagreb; he's joined the Contemporary Arts Society as a Trustee; and now he's selecting a super-Executive PA. The list of responsibilities (highlights below) suggest there can't be much left for John to do...
He's spread his wings with PR conference appearances in Oslo and Zagreb; he's joined the Contemporary Arts Society as a Trustee; and now he's selecting a super-Executive PA. The list of responsibilities (highlights below) suggest there can't be much left for John to do...
- As part of the Business Unit, to support, manage, coordinate and deliver significant pan-divisional projects at Steering Group level on topics such as:- diversity; training & development programme and objectives; staff engagement and events; change management
- Collate and coordinate director's weekly newsletter to pan-BBC communications family
- Manage full end-to-end project activity of the Communications Trainee Programme; from coordinating recruitment with Resourcing team to graduation
- Support Business Unit to deliver financial savings targets, coordinating divisional financial activity including raising and tracking POs through process
Meanwhile, former BBC spinner Julian Payne, after a spell with former BBC money man John Smith at Burberry, has settled nicely into Clarence House, and is having a very successful 70th birthday run with The Man Who Would Be King.
Leading ?
A small coup for LBC this morning. Mrs May's media guru, Robbie Gibb (ex-BBC Politics) decided that an hour dealing direct with voters, mediated by Nick Ferrari, on LBC, was the best way to present her case today. LBC, of course, is now national, and has taken a deliberately telegenic approach to its radio studio design. TV clips are easy to take, and terrifically branded.
The BBC needs to redesign its radio studios, across all networks, for the 21st century; get rid of the pine boxes, green baize, security cameras, exhibition banners, sort out the clutter and get some decent lighting in. On Today, she would have probably faced Nick Robinson for 15 to 20 minutes, wearing bakelite headphones, shot on the diagonal, rather than at eyeline. TV crews, including the BBC, would be chasing all day for better shots and their own clips.
At least she wouldn't have had her clothes analysed by the Today fashion guru John Humphrys, who's been sharing thoughts with the all-new centre-right Daily Mail.
"Anyone who does not believe women and men are equal is a moron. Equal but different. I have four words to support that view. The first two are “French tuck”. That, I’m told, is the latest fashion trend - wearing your shirt with one half tucked in your waistband, and the other half hanging free.
"Apparently Meghan Markle does it, and so does Cate Blanchett — and you don’t get a greater endorsement of a fashion trend than that.
"When men do it, it’s because we are basically slobs and we don’t even notice. When women do it (OK — some women), it’s because they want to appear fashionable. Apparently Meghan Markle does it, and so does Cate Blanchett — and you don’t get a greater endorsement of a fashion trend than that.
"The other two words are “ripped jeans”. And with that, I rest my case."
The BBC needs to redesign its radio studios, across all networks, for the 21st century; get rid of the pine boxes, green baize, security cameras, exhibition banners, sort out the clutter and get some decent lighting in. On Today, she would have probably faced Nick Robinson for 15 to 20 minutes, wearing bakelite headphones, shot on the diagonal, rather than at eyeline. TV crews, including the BBC, would be chasing all day for better shots and their own clips.
At least she wouldn't have had her clothes analysed by the Today fashion guru John Humphrys, who's been sharing thoughts with the all-new centre-right Daily Mail.
"Anyone who does not believe women and men are equal is a moron. Equal but different. I have four words to support that view. The first two are “French tuck”. That, I’m told, is the latest fashion trend - wearing your shirt with one half tucked in your waistband, and the other half hanging free.
"Apparently Meghan Markle does it, and so does Cate Blanchett — and you don’t get a greater endorsement of a fashion trend than that.
"When men do it, it’s because we are basically slobs and we don’t even notice. When women do it (OK — some women), it’s because they want to appear fashionable. Apparently Meghan Markle does it, and so does Cate Blanchett — and you don’t get a greater endorsement of a fashion trend than that.
"The other two words are “ripped jeans”. And with that, I rest my case."
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Pied piper
Radio Today reports that Chris Evans has snaffled most of his Radio 2 team to travel with him to Virgin.
Sports reporter and general-all-purpose-foil Vassos Alexander is going commercial; new travel reporter Rachel Horne moves across and gets to read bulletins as well. Ellie Davies, who's been away on maternity leave, joins the Virgin team as executive producer, with Meera Depala as producer, and guest booker John Dutton, provider of stellar Fridays, moves as well.
Sports reporter and general-all-purpose-foil Vassos Alexander is going commercial; new travel reporter Rachel Horne moves across and gets to read bulletins as well. Ellie Davies, who's been away on maternity leave, joins the Virgin team as executive producer, with Meera Depala as producer, and guest booker John Dutton, provider of stellar Fridays, moves as well.
Man of letters
Another light-touch evening from the BBC's new Editorial Director Kamal Ahmed.
19.20 hours Downing St: PM Theresa May on steps of Number 10 announcing Cabinet backing for historic EU draft Brexit agreement
19.30 hours Kamal on stage at Duke Street Church, Richmond, as part of his continuing book tour.
19.20 hours Downing St: PM Theresa May on steps of Number 10 announcing Cabinet backing for historic EU draft Brexit agreement
19.30 hours Kamal on stage at Duke Street Church, Richmond, as part of his continuing book tour.
Disguised employees
The NAO's latest report into the BBC is unusual, in that it comes to no conclusion and offers no patronising advice on improvement.
The report deals with the BBC's shifting way of paying presenters on radio and tv, and particularly the Corporation's previous insistence on hiring through Personal Service Companies. It's a useful narrative, and occasionally acknowledges the real pain caused by a collision of a cash-hungry HMRC and the bureaucratic Horlicks brewed by the BBC in response.
At least the BBC Board can take some comfort. If all-seeing all-knowing Sir Amyas Morse can't find a way to extricate all parties from this Orwellian-nightmare, then probably they're doing their best (now)...
The report deals with the BBC's shifting way of paying presenters on radio and tv, and particularly the Corporation's previous insistence on hiring through Personal Service Companies. It's a useful narrative, and occasionally acknowledges the real pain caused by a collision of a cash-hungry HMRC and the bureaucratic Horlicks brewed by the BBC in response.
At least the BBC Board can take some comfort. If all-seeing all-knowing Sir Amyas Morse can't find a way to extricate all parties from this Orwellian-nightmare, then probably they're doing their best (now)...
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
It's a biggie
Somebody thinks tonight's Ten O'Clock Bulletin might feature in future archive programmes. Huw Edwards has cancelled a trip to Leeds University so that he can be with our nation at this difficult time...
Oh Susanna
What do we know about Susanna Dinnage, 51, the woman from Discovery who has beaten Tim Davie and others to the top job at the Premier League ?
She's been a Fulham season ticket holder for the past seven years, she likes tennis, she has a personal trainer, she's a fan of Duran Duran. She seems to have been interested in a move from Discovery, where she's currently Global Head of Animal Planet, for a while - she was rumoured to have been runner-up to Alex Mahon when she took over at Channel 4. Perhaps there was some anxiety about Discovery's European plans, post-Brexit and post-the-merger with Scripps....
She's had the odd spat with Sky during her time at Discovery, threatening to pull her channels in the UK because of carriage charges. In 2015 at an RTS think-in, she bemoaned the “slightly exaggerated importance of live sport” in the broadcasting ecology. However she was also involved in the deal with the All England Club and the BBC to show Wimbledon on Eurosport and Eurosport’s successful bid for the European rights for the Olympics between 2018 and 2024.
She started in tv with MTV in Europe in 1992, eventually specialising in audience research. She joined Channel 5 ahead of its launch in 1997, as head of consumer research and planning. She joined Discovery in 2009.
She's been a Fulham season ticket holder for the past seven years, she likes tennis, she has a personal trainer, she's a fan of Duran Duran. She seems to have been interested in a move from Discovery, where she's currently Global Head of Animal Planet, for a while - she was rumoured to have been runner-up to Alex Mahon when she took over at Channel 4. Perhaps there was some anxiety about Discovery's European plans, post-Brexit and post-the-merger with Scripps....
She's had the odd spat with Sky during her time at Discovery, threatening to pull her channels in the UK because of carriage charges. In 2015 at an RTS think-in, she bemoaned the “slightly exaggerated importance of live sport” in the broadcasting ecology. However she was also involved in the deal with the All England Club and the BBC to show Wimbledon on Eurosport and Eurosport’s successful bid for the European rights for the Olympics between 2018 and 2024.
She started in tv with MTV in Europe in 1992, eventually specialising in audience research. She joined Channel 5 ahead of its launch in 1997, as head of consumer research and planning. She joined Discovery in 2009.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Super controller
Some re-imagination and re-invention at AMC Networks, the BBC's partner in BBC America, and it's good news for Sarah Barnett, once a PA in Radio 4 presentation.
Sarah is CEO of BBC America - now she'll also take charge of three other AMC networks focused on scripted programming - AMC, SundanceTV, and IFC. There's more consolidation across the four channels, with 40 jobs going.
The new executives tell Variety that there's been times when all four channels have been pitched the same show or found themselves chasing the same deals. Meanwhile the taxing business of scheduling BBC America continues - today, Star Trek from 1200am until 8pm, with two showings of that great British classic, The Untouchables, to follow.
Sarah is CEO of BBC America - now she'll also take charge of three other AMC networks focused on scripted programming - AMC, SundanceTV, and IFC. There's more consolidation across the four channels, with 40 jobs going.
The new executives tell Variety that there's been times when all four channels have been pitched the same show or found themselves chasing the same deals. Meanwhile the taxing business of scheduling BBC America continues - today, Star Trek from 1200am until 8pm, with two showings of that great British classic, The Untouchables, to follow.
Earners
The standard BBC pay deal this year was 2%, but The Times has discovered that more than 2,700 BBC staff - around one in seven - were handed rises of more than 10 per cent up to March 2018, despite the corporation’s claims of poverty.
The median increase was £4,979, and the total cost to licence fee-payers £17.8 million for the year.
The corporation said that promotions, position regrades and union-negotiated annual pay increases accounted for £14 million of the rises.
The median increase was £4,979, and the total cost to licence fee-payers £17.8 million for the year.
The corporation said that promotions, position regrades and union-negotiated annual pay increases accounted for £14 million of the rises.
Monday, November 12, 2018
Anna
Unless I'm reading the transparency signs wrong, BBC News seems to have a new HR Director, Anna Leena Gronmark, taking over from the rufty-tufty Royal Mail-trained Dale Haddon.
Anna, FCIPD and bar, is a self-avowed "seasoned leader able to create and operationalise a compelling vision and strategies that promote innovative solutions for complex business problems for dynamic and agile organisations experiencing change". Perfect fit for all that is ahead in the BBC News Output department...
Anna, FCIPD and bar, is a self-avowed "seasoned leader able to create and operationalise a compelling vision and strategies that promote innovative solutions for complex business problems for dynamic and agile organisations experiencing change". Perfect fit for all that is ahead in the BBC News Output department...
Eco-friendly glitter
The BBC continues to polish its green credentials.....
"Strictly Come Dancing is now 90% single-use plastic free, only retaining a small amount of bottled water for healthy and safety purposes. This series they have also been using 100% biodegradable liquid glitter in the theme weeks and biodegradable makeup wipes for the first time."
I sure someone quicker off the mark than me has asked how plastic bottles of water help with 'elf'n'safety.'...
"Strictly Come Dancing is now 90% single-use plastic free, only retaining a small amount of bottled water for healthy and safety purposes. This series they have also been using 100% biodegradable liquid glitter in the theme weeks and biodegradable makeup wipes for the first time."
I sure someone quicker off the mark than me has asked how plastic bottles of water help with 'elf'n'safety.'...
Scotland is different
Gravel-voiced Steve Morrison, the BBC Board member for Scotland assured MSPs at the end of last week that there would, after all, be 'high-end drama' on the new BBC Scotland channel when it launches in February. He said both the BBC Board and BBC Executive were being very collaborative, and the new service would have some co-commissioned original drama to kick off, if perhaps there wouldn't be any in the long-term.
In numbers, Mr Morrison revealed that the 50 of the 80 extra journalists promised to support the new channel had been appointed. It doesn't leave long for the remaining 30 to be properly-schooled and sheep-dipped in BBC ways. In money news, he said that the BBC would be spending £9.1m on BBC Alba in the current year - up from £7.9m. It is already the BBC's most expensive channel in terms of cost per user hour, at.14.3p, and the only way looks to be up.
In numbers, Mr Morrison revealed that the 50 of the 80 extra journalists promised to support the new channel had been appointed. It doesn't leave long for the remaining 30 to be properly-schooled and sheep-dipped in BBC ways. In money news, he said that the BBC would be spending £9.1m on BBC Alba in the current year - up from £7.9m. It is already the BBC's most expensive channel in terms of cost per user hour, at.14.3p, and the only way looks to be up.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
In pieces
Culture Seretary Jeremy Wright's impossible dream, to make himself more interesting, turned nightmarish again this week, with more details about his interest in Lego.
He told Julia Hartley-Brewer on the news-focused TalkRADIO that his collection was 'far too large', but playing with it was therapeutic, 'a good way to switch off'. Presumably from the frenetic thinking he's doing about his ministerial brief.
His single biggest item ? A Death Star set, from the Star Wars franchise. He says it has 4,500 pieces, but presumably that means he's 'made it his own' with extra bits - the standard kit, first released in 2008 has 3,803 elements. Jeremy Wright would have been 36 when it appeared in shops, at £274.99.
His single biggest item ? A Death Star set, from the Star Wars franchise. He says it has 4,500 pieces, but presumably that means he's 'made it his own' with extra bits - the standard kit, first released in 2008 has 3,803 elements. Jeremy Wright would have been 36 when it appeared in shops, at £274.99.
Saturday, November 10, 2018
i sight
Sky News' Mark Kleinman thinks the Daily Mail group has been taking an interest in the garage sale that is Johnston Press, and may be preparing an offer to take the i newspaper off their hands.
The i is probably the only profitable bit of JP, bought for £24m in 2016, and ticking over nicely with a circulation of 244,000. JP would probably be looking to at least double their outlay in recompense.
The i is probably the only profitable bit of JP, bought for £24m in 2016, and ticking over nicely with a circulation of 244,000. JP would probably be looking to at least double their outlay in recompense.
Top to toe
The Daily Mail's young weekend diarist, Richard Eden, has been in conversation with Alan Yentob on pressing matters of the day.
‘I hate formal shoes,’ he tells Richard at the launch party for Simon Jenkins’s book, A Short History Of Europe.
‘When I go to the Cannes Film Festival, and I’m dressed immaculately with a bow-tie and everything, they look down and they see my black trainers and they don’t let me in. It’s ridiculous.’
Yentob, 71, who presents the Imagine arts series, adds: ‘I went to a London restaurant to have lunch with Mick Jagger and I looked down and he was wearing bright, colourful trainers. I said: “How the hell did you get in here with those on? It’s only because of who you are.” ’
In 2013, Alan said he didn't know how to tie a tie. We hope he's mastered laces. Or perhaps he has Velcro-Nike-Air-Maxes.
‘I hate formal shoes,’ he tells Richard at the launch party for Simon Jenkins’s book, A Short History Of Europe.
‘When I go to the Cannes Film Festival, and I’m dressed immaculately with a bow-tie and everything, they look down and they see my black trainers and they don’t let me in. It’s ridiculous.’
Yentob, 71, who presents the Imagine arts series, adds: ‘I went to a London restaurant to have lunch with Mick Jagger and I looked down and he was wearing bright, colourful trainers. I said: “How the hell did you get in here with those on? It’s only because of who you are.” ’
In 2013, Alan said he didn't know how to tie a tie. We hope he's mastered laces. Or perhaps he has Velcro-Nike-Air-Maxes.
One direction
The BBC's Dan Taylor-Watt must be puzzled.
Dan's a young BBC lifer, joining in 2001 with degrees in Film Studies and English from Southampton, after a year as a freelance web developer. He's worked himself up to Head of iPlayer and BBC Sounds - one's obviously a triumph, and the other seems to be stuttering.
Comments on his BBC blog post ahead of the official launch have been closed, and yesterday no-one from the BBC was available to face Roger Bolton on R4's Feedback. There is a survey people can complete.
One answer, which wouldn't cost much, is to keep both the iPlayer Radio and Sounds going. Nope, says Dan.
Dan's a young BBC lifer, joining in 2001 with degrees in Film Studies and English from Southampton, after a year as a freelance web developer. He's worked himself up to Head of iPlayer and BBC Sounds - one's obviously a triumph, and the other seems to be stuttering.
Comments on his BBC blog post ahead of the official launch have been closed, and yesterday no-one from the BBC was available to face Roger Bolton on R4's Feedback. There is a survey people can complete.
Hi Nick. You can feedback on the app here: https://t.co/KmM6yDQFAN— Dan Taylor-Watt (@DanTaylorWatt) October 30, 2018
One answer, which wouldn't cost much, is to keep both the iPlayer Radio and Sounds going. Nope, says Dan.
Sure. The BBC iPlayer Radio app will eventually be retired— Dan Taylor-Watt (@DanTaylorWatt) November 1, 2018
Friday, November 9, 2018
Homework
Damian Collins, leading the Commons Culture Select Committee, has written to BBC DG Lord Hall chivvying him up on some loose ends from their last encounter - on equal pay, PSCs, unfinished grievance cases and Sir Cliff. He wants homework in by 20 December...
Beyond the pale
The relentlessly creative minds leading constant re-invention at the BBC like nothing better than a bandwagon.
So, when "100 Days" on the BBC News Channel became the even more meaningless "Beyond 100 Days", we now have the Today Lite podcast, "Beyond Today", and, from next week, a season, all over BBC World output in a rash-like manner, "Beyond 'Fake News'". Enough.
So, when "100 Days" on the BBC News Channel became the even more meaningless "Beyond 100 Days", we now have the Today Lite podcast, "Beyond Today", and, from next week, a season, all over BBC World output in a rash-like manner, "Beyond 'Fake News'". Enough.
Onboarding onboarders
The BBC is seeking a CRM Executive, Acquisition and Onboarding.
"This role will utilise registration data and message sequencing to power personalised journeys and timely onboarding communications across several marketing channels, so previous experience in CRM automation and early-stage funnel marketing for welcome or nurture programs is essential."
"You’ll have a logical mind-set, able to deconstruct complex business goals into specific deliverables, making use of data, rules & content to achieve the best onboarding experience that meets these goals."
Of course, you'll have to know that CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, which the ad never explains.
"This role will utilise registration data and message sequencing to power personalised journeys and timely onboarding communications across several marketing channels, so previous experience in CRM automation and early-stage funnel marketing for welcome or nurture programs is essential."
"You’ll have a logical mind-set, able to deconstruct complex business goals into specific deliverables, making use of data, rules & content to achieve the best onboarding experience that meets these goals."
Of course, you'll have to know that CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, which the ad never explains.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
How BBC Radio makes choices...
Problem defined: "Radio 2 has an increased focus on reaching younger 35-44s and specifically less well off women aged 35-44"
Management answer: "Rylan Clark-Neal will present a brand new Saturday afternoon show (3-6pm) on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, starting in January 2019, bringing his own fun, feel-good hits and ample amounts of chat to the programme."
Management answer: "Rylan Clark-Neal will present a brand new Saturday afternoon show (3-6pm) on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, starting in January 2019, bringing his own fun, feel-good hits and ample amounts of chat to the programme."
Super Tuscans
From The Times Diary: 'The BBC’s arts supremo has taken to arriving at dinner parties bearing gifts from vineyards owned by celebrity friends. “Here’s a little something from Sting and Trudie’s place in Tuscany” is his latest brag.'
Sting and Al go way back: Al stood up in court in 2015, saying the Mirror had hacked his mobile in 2002, when he was on holiday in Tuscany. The Yentobs and Lord and Lady Rogers rented adjacent properties. "The Rogers were not the only family with whom we spent the summer. We were also joined by other friends such as Charles Saatchi, Nigella Lawson and Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian. The musician Sting and his wife Trudie Styler owned a house nearby, at which we would stay as guests."
The writers of docu-drama W1A must have spotted a connection earlier, with one episode in 2014 featuring the immortal voice-over from David Tennant: "Sting has phoned up Alan Yentob personally and called him an actual prick."
Broadcast connections: In 1985, Alan produced an episode of Arena given over to a musical. 'Ligmalion', starring Sting, Tim Curry, Alexei Sayle and Gary Glitter. Alan drove the 1988 Concert for Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday, which featured Sting; and the 1991 broadcast for Kurdish Refugees, also featuring Sting. Alan hosted "Sting's Winter Songbook" on BBC1 in 2009. Trudie Styler was billed as an Executive Producer of a 2009 edition of Imagine, about great orators.
Charity connections: Trudie Styler was a major donor to Kid's Company, chaired by Alan.
Sting's wine is both organic and bio-dynamic. A case of Message In A Bottle 2015 runs at £175 for UK delivery. Sister Moon 2014 is £216.
Sting and Al go way back: Al stood up in court in 2015, saying the Mirror had hacked his mobile in 2002, when he was on holiday in Tuscany. The Yentobs and Lord and Lady Rogers rented adjacent properties. "The Rogers were not the only family with whom we spent the summer. We were also joined by other friends such as Charles Saatchi, Nigella Lawson and Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian. The musician Sting and his wife Trudie Styler owned a house nearby, at which we would stay as guests."
The writers of docu-drama W1A must have spotted a connection earlier, with one episode in 2014 featuring the immortal voice-over from David Tennant: "Sting has phoned up Alan Yentob personally and called him an actual prick."
Broadcast connections: In 1985, Alan produced an episode of Arena given over to a musical. 'Ligmalion', starring Sting, Tim Curry, Alexei Sayle and Gary Glitter. Alan drove the 1988 Concert for Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday, which featured Sting; and the 1991 broadcast for Kurdish Refugees, also featuring Sting. Alan hosted "Sting's Winter Songbook" on BBC1 in 2009. Trudie Styler was billed as an Executive Producer of a 2009 edition of Imagine, about great orators.
Charity connections: Trudie Styler was a major donor to Kid's Company, chaired by Alan.
Sting's wine is both organic and bio-dynamic. A case of Message In A Bottle 2015 runs at £175 for UK delivery. Sister Moon 2014 is £216.
Beck called...
Long-serving BBC News consigliere Sarah Beck is leaving. The current Director of BBC Monitoring joined the BBC straight from Bristol University (French and Russian) in 1991 as a production assistant in the Russian Service. She rose to Moscow bureau editor in 1998, covering both Chechen wars and the resignation of Russian president Boris Yeltsin. She moved to Jerusalem in 2000 as editor of the Middle East bureau and then Singapore two years later, covering the Bali bombing while heading the Asia bureau.
Back in London, she got caught up in the Savile bother, working for Deputy News boss Stephen Mitchell. Her emails made the 2012 Pollard Report - taking the proposed Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile off the Managed Risk Programmes List, and telling Newsnight ‘Just so you know…. have taken Jimmy Saville [sic] off for now and will put back on when it’s imminent. The document goes quite far – in Vision etc – and we thought it might be best to keep [it] off just for now".
Unscathed, she became deputy head of newsgathering in 2013, before the move to Monitoring in 2016. Monitoring became the BBC's financial responsibility in a Government-offload of 2010. Charged with either raising new money or cuts, she eventually had to balance the books. 250 UK staff were cut by nearly 100, and their base, a Grade II listed mansion on a hill in a lovely 94-acre park outside Reading, was put up for sale. Sara led the remainder to the upper floors of Broadcasting House in May this year. The BBC has yet to clinch a deal on the sale - the only real way the move can make economic sense.
Back in London, she got caught up in the Savile bother, working for Deputy News boss Stephen Mitchell. Her emails made the 2012 Pollard Report - taking the proposed Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile off the Managed Risk Programmes List, and telling Newsnight ‘Just so you know…. have taken Jimmy Saville [sic] off for now and will put back on when it’s imminent. The document goes quite far – in Vision etc – and we thought it might be best to keep [it] off just for now".
Unscathed, she became deputy head of newsgathering in 2013, before the move to Monitoring in 2016. Monitoring became the BBC's financial responsibility in a Government-offload of 2010. Charged with either raising new money or cuts, she eventually had to balance the books. 250 UK staff were cut by nearly 100, and their base, a Grade II listed mansion on a hill in a lovely 94-acre park outside Reading, was put up for sale. Sara led the remainder to the upper floors of Broadcasting House in May this year. The BBC has yet to clinch a deal on the sale - the only real way the move can make economic sense.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Blast from the past
We should register the arrival of Mims Davies as Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the DCMS, responsible for gambling, horse racing, Office for Civil Society, sport, the National Lottery and society lotteries, and cross-government work on loneliness.
As we've mentioned before, her cv apparently includes "media and communications work for the AA, BBC and police". The BBC gig seems to have been work experience organised under a sub-set of BBC Online called BBC Blast, a network for creative teenagers and young adults.
Mim's task was travelling to festivals and music events from her home in Stroud, making content for the wesbite of BBC Radio Goucestershire, around August and September 2008.
On 24 January 2011, the BBC announced the closure of BBC Blast as part of a 25% cut to the BBC Online budget.
As we've mentioned before, her cv apparently includes "media and communications work for the AA, BBC and police". The BBC gig seems to have been work experience organised under a sub-set of BBC Online called BBC Blast, a network for creative teenagers and young adults.
On 24 January 2011, the BBC announced the closure of BBC Blast as part of a 25% cut to the BBC Online budget.
Oo er missus
Brendan O'Carroll seems convinced the BBC will continue to pay him to dress up as a woman in 2019.
The future of Mr O'Carroll's appearances as a man is in more doubt. The latest edition of his 'quiz' show, For Facts Sake, attracted just 1.5m viewers in the overnights - an 8.2% share of the available audience.Totally untrue. Bullshit.— Brendan O'Carroll (@brendanMrsBrown) November 5, 2018
Leeds leads
Another, if smaller, vote for Leeds. UKTV, 50% owned by the BBC, has taken office space in The Leeming Building, to set up "a technology innovation hub”. The plan is to recruit ten specialists, working on improving the broadcaster’s content distribution systems, data analytics and Cloud use.
On the move
The BBC has appointed Faisal Islam, currently Sky News' political editor, as economics editor in succession to Kamal Ahmed.
Kamal was born in Moss Side, Manchester to parents arrived from Bengal. The family moved to Didsbury, where they ran a Post Office/newsagents. Faisal went to Manchester Grammar School and delivered papers at the weekends. His parents wanted him to be a doctor (that fell to his brother; his sister worked in BBC HR) but he got into Trinity College, Cambridge to study economics. He became President of the Junior Common Room, and went home weekends to help in the shop, watch Manchester United, and take to the floor of the Hacienda ("the world's coolest nightclub") for a little house music.
After Cambridge, he took a one-year course in newspaper journalism at City University, and then joined the Observer, initially as a researcher, rising swiftly to economics correspondent. In 2004, he moved to Channel 4, then made the switch to the political beat at Sky News in 2014.
He describes himself as a "numbers" man, but bought his first flat in 2007, just as the sub-prime mortage market was failing in the USA, leading to a world-wide recession. He was stopped and searched by police around King's Cross four times in the aftermath of the 2005 London bombings. He can now afford a Manchester United season ticket; he was honoured with the role of Junior Steward at the Old Mancunians annual dinner, and captained Trinity Alumni in the 2015/6 round of University Challenge.
Kamal was born in Moss Side, Manchester to parents arrived from Bengal. The family moved to Didsbury, where they ran a Post Office/newsagents. Faisal went to Manchester Grammar School and delivered papers at the weekends. His parents wanted him to be a doctor (that fell to his brother; his sister worked in BBC HR) but he got into Trinity College, Cambridge to study economics. He became President of the Junior Common Room, and went home weekends to help in the shop, watch Manchester United, and take to the floor of the Hacienda ("the world's coolest nightclub") for a little house music.
He describes himself as a "numbers" man, but bought his first flat in 2007, just as the sub-prime mortage market was failing in the USA, leading to a world-wide recession. He was stopped and searched by police around King's Cross four times in the aftermath of the 2005 London bombings. He can now afford a Manchester United season ticket; he was honoured with the role of Junior Steward at the Old Mancunians annual dinner, and captained Trinity Alumni in the 2015/6 round of University Challenge.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Now read this
The BBC's new Head of News Output, Gavin Allen, has been further gee-ing up his 1,200 operatives with all-points emails. There's an emerging leadership style somewhere between Sun Tzu and Charles Foster Kane. Some readers have shared consequent difficulties with keeping food down.
There will, apparently, be swift action to deliver a "Digital Core".
"I want to explore how we can coordinate beyond your home areas to deliver the best live and breaking services, the best bulletins and catch up content and the best depth and analysis: restructuring and then aligning at every point possible within those three overarching genres to give audiences the type of news they want wherever they want it. Not separate new TV, Radio, or Online initiatives, not programme-centric output, but working together to be relentlessly and efficiently story and audience focused. In all this, digital demands will be front and centre to ensure our best audio, video and written content is delivered and shared online as a priority. We’ll be looking at the right structure within the department to achieve this over the next few weeks."
Elsewhere in the missive: "Every item in every programme has to be clear in its aim to enrich."
And throughout, there are references to "biggest bang BBC News", which turns out not to be poorly transcribed from Gavin's heart, but a pioneering noun adjunct.
There will, apparently, be swift action to deliver a "Digital Core".
"I want to explore how we can coordinate beyond your home areas to deliver the best live and breaking services, the best bulletins and catch up content and the best depth and analysis: restructuring and then aligning at every point possible within those three overarching genres to give audiences the type of news they want wherever they want it. Not separate new TV, Radio, or Online initiatives, not programme-centric output, but working together to be relentlessly and efficiently story and audience focused. In all this, digital demands will be front and centre to ensure our best audio, video and written content is delivered and shared online as a priority. We’ll be looking at the right structure within the department to achieve this over the next few weeks."
Elsewhere in the missive: "Every item in every programme has to be clear in its aim to enrich."
And throughout, there are references to "biggest bang BBC News", which turns out not to be poorly transcribed from Gavin's heart, but a pioneering noun adjunct.
Monday, November 5, 2018
By association
“I would like to know how many BBC staff have been sacked in the last 12 months for misconduct.”
A search against our HR database indicates that there were 10 employees who in the last 12 months have had a leaving reason associated with ‘conduct’.
A search against our HR database indicates that there were 10 employees who in the last 12 months have had a leaving reason associated with ‘conduct’.
Walls come tumbling down
Here's a funny thing, pointed out to me by a reader of some sagacity.
When you use BBC Sounds in its desktop form to stream live radio, it opens as the Radioplayer, not the iPlayer Radio. Radioplayer is an app developed in partnership with commercial radio, giving access to myriad commercial stations - this generous gesture will make it handier for BBC listeners at their PCs to follow, say, Chris Evans, Eddie Mair, and who knows in future.
When you use BBC Sounds in its desktop form to stream live radio, it opens as the Radioplayer, not the iPlayer Radio. Radioplayer is an app developed in partnership with commercial radio, giving access to myriad commercial stations - this generous gesture will make it handier for BBC listeners at their PCs to follow, say, Chris Evans, Eddie Mair, and who knows in future.
Library news
If DCMS Secretary Jeremy Wright has any purpose, he should take a look at the relationship between the BBC and Ofcom, which is simply not working fast enough. Maybe he's taking too many phone calls from Philip Davies.
The BBC wants to put more box sets on the iPlayer, and leave them there for longer than the current 30 days. The Board wrote to Ofcom on June 8, saying whilst it thought it would lead to an increase in iPlayer viewing (we are not told the details of the BBC's estimate), it would not have a material impact on competitors.
It has taken 22 weeks for Ofcom to come to the conclusion that the upper figures in the BBC estimates might have a competitive impact. Arthritic bureaucracy, rather than agile competition management. So Ofcom wants a Public Interest Test conducted by the BBC, and suggests the BBC lumps into it any plans for subsequent years.
There are constraints on what the BBC puts on iPlayer - deals with co-producers, deals for secondary rights, artists contracts, the simple scale of servers all limit what's made available. But, in principle, it's an archive already paid for by licence-fee holders, and I'm not sure why Ofcom thinks this library shouldn't have as many shelves as can be built, and serve the interests of users.
The BBC wants to put more box sets on the iPlayer, and leave them there for longer than the current 30 days. The Board wrote to Ofcom on June 8, saying whilst it thought it would lead to an increase in iPlayer viewing (we are not told the details of the BBC's estimate), it would not have a material impact on competitors.
It has taken 22 weeks for Ofcom to come to the conclusion that the upper figures in the BBC estimates might have a competitive impact. Arthritic bureaucracy, rather than agile competition management. So Ofcom wants a Public Interest Test conducted by the BBC, and suggests the BBC lumps into it any plans for subsequent years.
There are constraints on what the BBC puts on iPlayer - deals with co-producers, deals for secondary rights, artists contracts, the simple scale of servers all limit what's made available. But, in principle, it's an archive already paid for by licence-fee holders, and I'm not sure why Ofcom thinks this library shouldn't have as many shelves as can be built, and serve the interests of users.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Less Derbyshire
One of James Harding's big investments at BBC News - The Victoria Derbyshire Show, simulcast on BBC2 and the BBC News Channel - takes a hit from tomorrow.
Some ten months after Mr Harding's departure, and nine months after launch editor Louisa Compton decided on a move to C4's Dispatches, the show's airtime has been halved, to just one hour, starting at 10am. Preceding it is a news bulletin, billed as The News at Nine, with no named presenter in the schedules yet.
Some ten months after Mr Harding's departure, and nine months after launch editor Louisa Compton decided on a move to C4's Dispatches, the show's airtime has been halved, to just one hour, starting at 10am. Preceding it is a news bulletin, billed as The News at Nine, with no named presenter in the schedules yet.
In development
There's some puzzlement amongst people who should know about why the new BBC Sounds app didn't adopt some popular functionalities of iPlayer Radio.
Missing at launch stage - Car Play integration, Chromecast, sleep and alarm settings.
And the 'Listen Without Limits' promise seems to have been broken, according to one new user...
"I've downloaded last Monday's R3 Lunchtime Concert. On Sounds this is 62mb; on iPlayer Radio it is 144mb. Why is the Sounds download of such inferior quality ?"
The Sounds team themselves seem to recognise there are things missing, as this section of their customer survey notes...
Missing at launch stage - Car Play integration, Chromecast, sleep and alarm settings.
And the 'Listen Without Limits' promise seems to have been broken, according to one new user...
"I've downloaded last Monday's R3 Lunchtime Concert. On Sounds this is 62mb; on iPlayer Radio it is 144mb. Why is the Sounds download of such inferior quality ?"
The Sounds team themselves seem to recognise there are things missing, as this section of their customer survey notes...
Mr Big may have peaked
Monday, we are told, sees the 'launch' of the all-new BBC News Output department, under clean-cut, fast-talking Gavin Allen. In a missive to staff, he lists the 39 operations that will come under his command, with a total headcount of 1,200.
Leading from the front, he writes "We need to work even more closely together to ensure we're packing the maximum journalistic punch with the minimum process headache. We have to make our original journalism, analysis and breaking news reporting unmissable across the board, wherever audiences consume their news. In short, we need to provide the biggest bang BBC News.[sic]"
It's never a good idea to start with a headcount declaration, when you haven't quite nailed the cuts needed for the next financial year. The Sunday Times reports plans to produce Newshour (usually at 9pm GMT) on the World Service and The World Tonight (at 10pm) on Radio 4, with the same team and the same presenter. There is already some interchange between the teams, but this is a step too far for old Beeboids. Former Editorial Director Roger Mosey, now at Selwyn College Cambridge, says “The World Tonight is one of Radio 4’s flagship programmes and it would be a loss for listeners if it could no longer tailor its content to British audiences.”
Leading from the front, he writes "We need to work even more closely together to ensure we're packing the maximum journalistic punch with the minimum process headache. We have to make our original journalism, analysis and breaking news reporting unmissable across the board, wherever audiences consume their news. In short, we need to provide the biggest bang BBC News.[sic]"
It's never a good idea to start with a headcount declaration, when you haven't quite nailed the cuts needed for the next financial year. The Sunday Times reports plans to produce Newshour (usually at 9pm GMT) on the World Service and The World Tonight (at 10pm) on Radio 4, with the same team and the same presenter. There is already some interchange between the teams, but this is a step too far for old Beeboids. Former Editorial Director Roger Mosey, now at Selwyn College Cambridge, says “The World Tonight is one of Radio 4’s flagship programmes and it would be a loss for listeners if it could no longer tailor its content to British audiences.”
More of a fading whimper than a bang - and 39 operations down to 38 for Gav.I can't believe they'll go through with this. Having presented both programmes for more than 20 years, I know how utterly daft the idea really is. https://t.co/SUTBX0pimR— Robin Lustig (@robinlustig) November 4, 2018
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Missing
The BBC's Kamal Ahmed has given his first interview to Newswatch under his new title, Editorial Director.
He may learn that listing things creates sins of omission. "The BBC is an organisation built around the big, great news programmes, News at Ten, News at Six, the Today programme, Radio 5Live news, Newsbeat, all those things". This has potential to create anxieties, real or imagined amongst editors and staff of programmes and services not mentioned. Make your own list.
He may learn that listing things creates sins of omission. "The BBC is an organisation built around the big, great news programmes, News at Ten, News at Six, the Today programme, Radio 5Live news, Newsbeat, all those things". This has potential to create anxieties, real or imagined amongst editors and staff of programmes and services not mentioned. Make your own list.
Natural wastage
Past performance is no protection from the compete and compare mantra at the modern BBC. And so, production of Countryfile is going out to tender.
From an initial half-hour show on Sunday mornings in 1988, it has developed and grown into a monster in the Sunday night schedules, with a spin-off magazine, calendar, awards, and sister shows. It's hard to believe something of value won't be lost to the BBC if it goes to an indie.
From an initial half-hour show on Sunday mornings in 1988, it has developed and grown into a monster in the Sunday night schedules, with a spin-off magazine, calendar, awards, and sister shows. It's hard to believe something of value won't be lost to the BBC if it goes to an indie.
Friday, November 2, 2018
Grande ?
BBC Music is still failing to connect with the 'yoot' on BBC1. An average of just 1.4m stayed with Ariana Grande (and Davina McCall) at the BBC last night from 8pm - that's 8.1% of the available audience. A fortnight ago, Eat Well For Less got over 3m in the same slot.
A year ago Harry Styles, a singer, with added Nick Grimshaw, clocked 1.4m viewers, and a 7.3% share. There's no evidence of much consolidation in the BARB seven-day figures.
A year ago Harry Styles, a singer, with added Nick Grimshaw, clocked 1.4m viewers, and a 7.3% share. There's no evidence of much consolidation in the BARB seven-day figures.
Keep your coats on
Liggers at last night's launch party for posh-shopping-arcade Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, with design input from Thomas Heatherwick.
Cut out and keep
Here's a chart of the options provided to the BBC by consultants Frontier Economics, on what to do about free-licences for the Over-75s. It's not necessarily what will be put out to consultation.
It demonstrates very clearly that the BBC should not be put in charge of social policy; it's an abnegation of Government responsibility, delivered by smarty-pants George Osborne. Options 5 and 6 at least align with a Government-defined estimation of need. (Over-75s may need to click on the chart to go large....)
It demonstrates very clearly that the BBC should not be put in charge of social policy; it's an abnegation of Government responsibility, delivered by smarty-pants George Osborne. Options 5 and 6 at least align with a Government-defined estimation of need. (Over-75s may need to click on the chart to go large....)
Day One +
24 hours on, some stats, not comprehensive, and not entirely scientific, from Google Play.
Sounds rated 2.6, 462 reviews; 50,000+ installs
iPlayer Radio rated 3.7, 24,668 reviews; 1,000,000+ installs
Sounds rated 2.6, 462 reviews; 50,000+ installs
iPlayer Radio rated 3.7, 24,668 reviews; 1,000,000+ installs
30 years ago
Deep breath
I'm indebted to former World Service collegeagues for highlighting a Canal Turn ahead for news jockeys. The three main candidates in the Madagascan Presidential Election are Hery Rajaonarimampianina, Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina. First round voting starts next Wednesday. There are 33 other candidates, and some timid newsreaders will be backing a former pop star, who goes by the name Dama.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Try again
The ever-transparent BBC being helpful with an FOI enquiry...
Q: Please can you provide the total number of crimes at BBC offices and premises since 1 January
2018.
A: Under section 12 of the Act, we are not obliged to comply with a request for information if, in
our estimation, compliance would exceed “the appropriate limit” - set under regulation 3(3) of
Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004
(‘the Regulations’) as being £450 (equivalent to two and a half days’ work, at an hourly rate of
£25).
If you would like to submit a narrowed request, we would be happy to consider it. For example
you may consider narrowing your request to London premises, or Salford premises.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the BBC might not necessarily hold statistics relating to
crimes committed, as it is the responsibility of the Police to decide if an actual crime has
occurred and what action is to be taken. The BBC will be aware of the number of allegations of
crime and the numbers reported to the police.
So, we hope, it would take less someone than two and half days to count alleged crimes reported to the police at BBC premises around the UK since the turn of the year. We hope.
Q: Please can you provide the total number of crimes at BBC offices and premises since 1 January
2018.
A: Under section 12 of the Act, we are not obliged to comply with a request for information if, in
our estimation, compliance would exceed “the appropriate limit” - set under regulation 3(3) of
Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004
(‘the Regulations’) as being £450 (equivalent to two and a half days’ work, at an hourly rate of
£25).
If you would like to submit a narrowed request, we would be happy to consider it. For example
you may consider narrowing your request to London premises, or Salford premises.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the BBC might not necessarily hold statistics relating to
crimes committed, as it is the responsibility of the Police to decide if an actual crime has
occurred and what action is to be taken. The BBC will be aware of the number of allegations of
crime and the numbers reported to the police.
So, we hope, it would take less someone than two and half days to count alleged crimes reported to the police at BBC premises around the UK since the turn of the year. We hope.
Yanked
Sometimes I don't quite understand the BBC. Historically chased by the Tories and commercial broadcasters for too many US imports (from Bilko, through Dr Kildare, Kojak, Rockford Files, Cagney & Lacey, Dallas and Dynasty to Family Guy), under the cosh from Ofcom about UK portrayal in drama, ever-ready to castigate the American drama themes offered by the-monster-that-is-Netflix-as-a-threat, and previously sniffy about all things Murdoch, BBC Content has struck a major deal with FX, part of 21st Century Fox.
The deal gives the BBC access to all original drama and comedy from the channel. Whilst some new stuff will apparently be shot in the UK, there are a significant numbers of US themes in the pipeline.
Pose, eight parts, examines New York’s transgender-Ball culture of the late 1980's and the LGBTQ community during the growing HIV crisis.
Mayans M.C, ten episodes, features one of the largest Latino ensemble casts on American television.
Untitled Fosse-Verdon project - eight-part series on director, choreographer, and dancer Bob Fosse and his unsung key collaborator and wife, the legendary Broadway actor, dancer and singer Gwen Verdon.
Devs - eight episodes, a tech thriller produced in London and Manchester, with location work in Santa Cruz, California.
What We Do In The Shadows - 10-part comedy series set in New York City follows three vampires trying to cope in the modern world.
Better Things - Comedy set in Los Angeles, about single-mum-actress. Ex-pat mother, played by Celia Imrie, lives over the road.
Mrs. America - nine episodes starring Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly in the 1970s battle over the Equal Rights Amendment
The deal gives the BBC access to all original drama and comedy from the channel. Whilst some new stuff will apparently be shot in the UK, there are a significant numbers of US themes in the pipeline.
Pose, eight parts, examines New York’s transgender-Ball culture of the late 1980's and the LGBTQ community during the growing HIV crisis.
Mayans M.C, ten episodes, features one of the largest Latino ensemble casts on American television.
Untitled Fosse-Verdon project - eight-part series on director, choreographer, and dancer Bob Fosse and his unsung key collaborator and wife, the legendary Broadway actor, dancer and singer Gwen Verdon.
Devs - eight episodes, a tech thriller produced in London and Manchester, with location work in Santa Cruz, California.
What We Do In The Shadows - 10-part comedy series set in New York City follows three vampires trying to cope in the modern world.
Better Things - Comedy set in Los Angeles, about single-mum-actress. Ex-pat mother, played by Celia Imrie, lives over the road.
Mrs. America - nine episodes starring Cate Blanchett as Phyllis Schlafly in the 1970s battle over the Equal Rights Amendment
Big Sounds
Campaign calls it the biggest product launch from the BBC for a decade. Today we get the compulsory video (for audio) featuring radio favourites like Louis Theroux, Idriss Elba and David Attenborough - expect what we call heavy rotation on BBC1 and 2 from tonight. It was put together by freelance 'creatives' James Reynolds and Nick Robinson, and directed by Megaforce through Riff Raff.
In other activity today, the BBC has 'rebranded' the London Eye as the London Ear, and so far we know that Ken Bruce on Radio 2 and Jane Garvey on Radio 4 are part of the circus. Greg James, on Radio 1, travelled from BH to the Eye earlier, but had to do a number of links on the phone, as the OB links to their 'capsule' weren't ready. IXtra was more successful. Radio 3 gets with the party for In Tune this afternoon.
On the accounting side, Director of Radio & Music Bob Shennan has confirmed that £3m was being spent on content solely available on BBC Sounds. How's that work at Radio 4, when this morning the Today programme cannibalised 5 minutes of the all-new-Beyond Today podcast to use to fill the vital-but-unnoticed-by-bosses 0830-0900 slot ?
In other activity today, the BBC has 'rebranded' the London Eye as the London Ear, and so far we know that Ken Bruce on Radio 2 and Jane Garvey on Radio 4 are part of the circus. Greg James, on Radio 1, travelled from BH to the Eye earlier, but had to do a number of links on the phone, as the OB links to their 'capsule' weren't ready. IXtra was more successful. Radio 3 gets with the party for In Tune this afternoon.
We’ve taken over the London Eye to celebrate the launch of BBC Sounds!— BBC Sounds (@BBCSounds) November 1, 2018
Not only have we given London’s Southbank a lick of paint with our signature colour, we’re also bringing you radio shows and podcasts direct from wheel across the day! 😍 pic.twitter.com/iv0Y3JUXB8
On the accounting side, Director of Radio & Music Bob Shennan has confirmed that £3m was being spent on content solely available on BBC Sounds. How's that work at Radio 4, when this morning the Today programme cannibalised 5 minutes of the all-new-Beyond Today podcast to use to fill the vital-but-unnoticed-by-bosses 0830-0900 slot ?
Location x 3, Grand Designs, Amazing Spaces, Building the Dream etc etc
Lawyers Reed Smith and accountants Deloitte were at C4's elbow as they chose between Greater Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds. I can't track down their property advisors.
If they're going to start moving to Leeds next year, they need space that's almost fitted out (for office staff) and that can be adapted quickly (for the newsroom, studio, edit and graphics etc). I'm guessing they'd like to be closer to the train station than the airport. Rushbond's re-development of the old Majestic Cinema, under construction by Sir Robert McAlpine, is across the road from the station's City Square entrance.
First opened in 1922, the 2,500 seat auditorium was designed by architects Pascal J. Stienlet and J.C. Maxwell.. It boasted a 3 manual/33 stop organ, a restaurant and basement ballroom. The first film was Way Down East, starring Lillian Gish, directed by D W Griffith; best seats 2/4d. It closed as a cinema in 1969 - last film was The Good The Bad and The Ugly. It operated as a bingo hall til 1996, then was re-opened as the Majestyk Nightclub, with disco Jumpin' Jacks in the basement. A major fire shut the whole thing down in 2014, as the ground floor was being converted to retail units.
The top two floors look about right to me. CGI image.
If they're going to start moving to Leeds next year, they need space that's almost fitted out (for office staff) and that can be adapted quickly (for the newsroom, studio, edit and graphics etc). I'm guessing they'd like to be closer to the train station than the airport. Rushbond's re-development of the old Majestic Cinema, under construction by Sir Robert McAlpine, is across the road from the station's City Square entrance.
First opened in 1922, the 2,500 seat auditorium was designed by architects Pascal J. Stienlet and J.C. Maxwell.. It boasted a 3 manual/33 stop organ, a restaurant and basement ballroom. The first film was Way Down East, starring Lillian Gish, directed by D W Griffith; best seats 2/4d. It closed as a cinema in 1969 - last film was The Good The Bad and The Ugly. It operated as a bingo hall til 1996, then was re-opened as the Majestyk Nightclub, with disco Jumpin' Jacks in the basement. A major fire shut the whole thing down in 2014, as the ground floor was being converted to retail units.
The top two floors look about right to me. CGI image.
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