Digital Helen

 It's an imposing title, with perhaps too many capital letters: The Socioeconomic Impact of Digital Transition is a short paper published by Helen Burrows, twelve months into a job as Controller, Digital Transition at the BBC. 

Helen (PPE New College Oxford, Postgrad in Photography, Central St Martin's, mini-MBA Birkbeck) seems to argue that moving the BBC to IP distribution only is a nudge factor in releasing billions for the Government in delivering a completely online population. 

Her piece has made waves with the tech community because it repeats the line that the BBC is looking at a new basic device to access tv channels, for those intimidated by apps, streaming dongles, and perhaps even Freely: "The BBC is exploring the idea of a new streaming media device, designed with accessibility in mind and a radically simple user interface specifically designed to help those currently underserved by digital services." 

So Helen is pushing, bravely, Lisa Nandy to commit. "To unlock this potential, the government must commit to a switchover and fully support Ofcom’s ask for a decision on timings for this by early next year."

Would that the BBC were equally as front foot on funding options. How do you police licence fee collection with these devices ?  Surely it's time to talk about users paying via broadband providers.... 

Digging away

How's it going at BBC America ?  Owners AMC Networks recently posted some group financial figures which pleased shareholders, but the BBC trajectory is continuing downwards in peaktime audience figures.

The network's biggest show of the past month was Relative Secrets, made by Toronto-based Cream Productions, in which Jane Seymour helps punters unravel their families' grisly past, assisted by Natasha Billson of The Great British Dig.  Average audience ?  99,000.  

Hug

After the DG's appearance on Friday's One Show, I think we can rule out one from the list of top paid female presenters who may have shared dodgy pictures... 

Wake up

When they collect the tv ratings for Breakfast over August, let it be remembered that viewers of BBC1 across the West Midlands and as far as the Essex/Herts border were treated to "Start the Day with TBNUK" on Thursday 7th August just after eight. The Trinity Broadcast Network is headquartered in the United States, under current boss Matthew Crouch. Their 8am host was Ian Christensen. Maybe Frediani will have an official gap for him soon....

Picture this

Perhaps in an attempt at gender balance, the Sun has an allegation about a female BBC employee behaving badly. 

"The woman, who ranked in the Corporation's top 50 highest paid this year, is said to have asked a horrified junior member of staff about her preferences and then showed her a nude image on her mobile phone.

"Precisely whose member was flashed isn’t known. But the alleged move was considered so offensive, the female talent was called in by execs and asked to apologise."

Sun Deputy TV Editor Felicity Cross, a married woman, continues "I’m privy to the woman’s identity and exactly what she’s been up to" . 

You can find your own way to the list of BBC top earners..... 

Thank you Joey Essex for spilling some serious Love Island tea! pic.twitter.com/Y7HKlkLBXK

— The Sun (@TheSun) July 31, 2024

Eyes wide open

"I won't be watching it" - a curt reply from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, when asked by Nick Robinson on Today about the BBC's decision to screen the new series of Masterchef, starting tonight.  That's a total of 24 episodes when Lisa's attention will be elsewhere. 

BBC DG Tim Davie issued the annual summer apology from the Executive in an email to all staff yesterday; however phrased, it means "We're rather embarassed to be off on our holibobs, but are grateful you're still putting out programmes". BBC1 News bulletins are coming from the LED Mobile Chalet of Verification, rather than the Luxury Car Showroom of Big News, presumably getting a buff up with Turtle Wax; it's very much mid-August. 

But Tim's break starts with Lisa's words ringing in his ears: "very many failures".  Ah well, we can all look forward to spotting the sniffers on Strictly soon.... 

"Beautiful new experience"

 “There were 320,000 people who listened ex-UK to Sounds last week. The vast majority were listening to Radio 4 live, World Service live, and our music stations live. So the vast majority of people are getting exactly what they’ve had: just on a different digital product.” Jonathan Wall BBC Controller of Sounds, on Feedback, on July 11. 

The clumsy withdrawal of BBC Sounds from international listeners is based in a hard reality; the BBC is unwilling to risk having to pay for music rights in overseas territories. But, having said that Radio 4 and World Service would still be available, it's also clear that BBC Studios have taken away so much functionality, that the 'different digital product' is, as some might say round Salford, mince.; currently it's a much worse digital product. 

Louise la Grange, SVP, BBC Audio, Digital News & Streaming BBC Studios (beware execs bearing 11 word titles) last night told listeners to the World Service feedback programme Over to You, that 'catch up' would arrive for World Service and Radio 4 abroad in a matter of weeks. But searching is still a mess, and there was no hint of immediate action on that. It was a very different Louisa to Linkedin Louisa, who five months ago called the bbc.com new audio offer "this beautiful new experience for our audiences."

 

Not news

The BBC News weekend curation team continue to 'give 'em what they want'; "Tan lines. Once hidden, now sought after, but can they make a safe comeback ?"   Er, no, not really. 

Close season

We told you back in June that Alan Dickson had decided to leave the post of Chief Financial Officer at the BBC; an advert for his replacement has finally appeared, 51 days later. 

The recruitment is being led by headhunters Korn Ferry. Korn Ferry brought both Deborah Turness to BBC News and 'Transformer' John Curbishley to the bosom of Tim Davie. We're not sure who is looking to fill the vacancy left by Chief Communications Officer John Shields' departure in May. Critics may liken Davie's dithering transfer activity to that of David Moyes at Everton. 

Korn Ferry's ad highlights a requirement for B2C experience (business to consumer, if that helps). 

Data mining

The BBC is hiring a number of people to examine their workforce, in data form.

"This team’s strategy is to enable our people, managers, and leaders across the BBC to understand and enhance the richness of our talented, diverse and representative workforce, through the delivery of trusted, valuable and insightful data products.

"The role of Senior Principal Data Analyst is pivotal in transforming the coverage and interoperability of our workforce analytics, built through effective partnerships and enterprise thinking, in order to deliver an extended suite of data and insight products alongside our existing capabilities. Excellent stakeholder management skills will enable delivery of a high-value portfolio of work, in a collaborative way. "

I wonder if they'll find any better breakfast presenters....