Big listening

The problems for the BBC of changing DG when under fire are highlighted in the Daily Mail today.

Lord Hall, in an article for the paper, can only offer a big public consultation, and even that is light on detail. At least it won't be run by companies like Public First, based in 55 Tufton Street.

"We will talk to the public about what kind of BBC they want as we approach our second century. We will carry out a big listening exercise, with events up and down the country. It will be a chance for audiences to speak to us directly, and tell us what they want us to be. I will set out full plans in the spring, but I want this to be one of the most significant pieces of public engagement the BBC has ever undertaken. I won’t tie the hands of my successor, but I want them to have all the insight they need from the people who matter most: the public.

"So yes, let’s have a debate about the BBC. Let’s even debate our funding model when the time comes. But let’s not put the cart before the horse. Let’s first decide what kind of BBC we want for this country, then work out how best to achieve it. I genuinely believe at this important moment, the BBC matters more than ever and can work even harder for the UK at home and abroad."

Lord Hall also attempts to take the stream out of the young v old audience debate, unconvincingly. Standby for a squeeze on middle-age pleasures. 

"We know we have to do more to serve young people in particular. It’s an area where we need to be radical and I’ll be setting out big plans on this in April when we publish our strategy for the year ahead. But don’t let anyone tell you this will come at the expense of older audiences.

"We know they are often the people who value and rely on us most. They are our super-users and they will always be super-served. Big change at the BBC will need to continue. We will need to go further to switch spending from activities that no longer serve audiences towards those that can serve them better."