Incoming

While sheltering from rockets pouring into Broadcasting House about its journalism in the last century, BBC management have also been attempting to rebut a 2/10 report from the Commons Public Accounts Committee about current financial strategy.   

General BBC response:  “We do not feel that this report reflects the evidence or the facts provided to the committee. There is no complacency at the BBC. We have taken great pains to stress, including to this committee, that the jeopardy* for the BBC is high. We have also explained very clearly how the challenges we face are directly driving our strategy to deliver more value to all audiences.

*© Tim Davie

The BBC appears complacent about the threat it faces from declining audiences.

BBC response: "The BBC is the UK’s most used media brand – reaching over 90% of adults on average per week and 80% of 16-34 year-olds. It pays tribute to the new initiatives we have introduced to capitalise on the opportunities of the new marketplace, most recently with BBC Sounds and improvements to iPlayer. We are the most trusted source of news in the country. We believe the case for the BBC remains compelling, but we know we must earn the right to exist through the value we provide.

The BBC’s plans for an increased presence in the nations and regions seem unclear and disjointed.

BBC response: "Our ‘Across the UK’ plan represents the boldest and most ambitious reshaping of the BBC in our history, and it has been warmly welcomed by MPs from all parties and in all parts of the country.

At times, the BBC has deferred difficult measures and ducked the hard choices necessary over cuts to frontline content.  The BBC.... should write to the Committee within six months with more details of its plans in this area.

BBC response “We understand that the committee will want more details of our plans and we will be able to provide them once a financial settlement is in place.”   i.e. it'll take longer than six months, matey.

The BBC appears unambitious about setting targets for the financial returns generated by its commercial subsidiaries.

BBC response - can't find one