Strategic alignment

The Culture Select Committee has decided to grill BBC executives about cuts to local radio on 1st December.  Chair Julian Knight says

“The planned cuts to programming have provoked genuine disquiet in communities up and down the country, where BBC local radio stations play a key role in providing local information that is increasingly unavailable elsewhere. As a public service broadcaster, the BBC must always have an eye on its duty to offer a distinct service and the Committee will be questioning corporation bosses to make sure they have properly thought through the implications of moving towards a more regional model and concentrating on digital services."

The MPs might like to consider the Director of Nations' view that the changes are justified because local radio is only reaching 15% of the population. This clearly qualifies it as a runt in the modern digital world. However, alarm bells have started ringing at Strategy Central, Broadcasting House, who may have noticed other services falling below this 15% threshold - Radio 3, Radio 5Live, Radio 6Music, 1Xtra, Radio Wales, and Radio Cymru. Radio 1 is bang on 15% weekly reach. Other channels below 15% monthly reach - CBBC, CBeebies and BBC Parliament. Think on that, MPs.