Comber

Head of the Leader's Broadcasting has a grand ring as a title, but applicants for this new role working for Ed Miliband can expect a salary of just £44,244.40 plus a fixed allowance of £971.

And the tasks are pretty specific.

• Overseeing the broadcast output and visual images of the Leader of the Opposition.
• Advising Leader of the Opposition on broadcast performance and helping him prepare for clips/interviews/visits.
• Overseeing the broadcast grid ensuring all conferences, visits and events by the Leader of the Official Opposition receive effective broadcast coverage.
• Developing and sustaining relationships with senior broadcasters.
• Setting up broadcast interviews and photo opportunities for the national media
• Developing fresh ideas for making the best of Leader of Opposition's brand strengths and communicating his message in broadcast medium.
• To carry out any other reasonable tasks as directed by the Executive Director of Communications.

The post holder will be expected to contribute to projects outside the scope of this description when required to do so by the Executive Director of Communications and the Leader’s Chief of Staff.

Should, perchance, anyone working for BBC News in London be interested, the salary lies at the top of journalist entry grade band 7, and about the middle of the next "Senior Broadcast Journalist" level, Band 8/9.

Seconds out

In the red corner Ofcom boss (and failed DG candidate) Ed Richards; in the blue, Lord Hall, most other broadcasters, and Caroline Thomson (failed DG candidate, now, amongst other things, Chair of Digital UK).

At stake, the future use of spectrum in the 700mhz UHF band - the way Freeview tv signals reach your home. Ofcom wants to find space for so-called 5G - fifth generation mobile phone and other transmissions (as does Europe in general).  The cost of clearing 700mhz ?  You may need a new aerial, and very likely a new tv or set-top box. There may be interference from mobile phones as digital tv moves to 600mhz. It'll mess up wireless microphones used on stage and in concerts, and wireless connections for cameras and microphones on outside broadcasts. And it may lessen opportunities to deliver improved rural broadband at lower frequencies, through so-called white space in the spectrum.

On the other hand, Ofcom want us to get excited about the "Internet of Things" that 5G might enable. Imagine the Victoria Line automatically connecting to your bedside alarm and Teasmade when it decides to spill cement, and waking you up half an hour early to give you a chance to get to work.

“The demands for mobile data will only increase as millions more wireless devices connect to the internet and each other," says Ed Richards.

 "We must ensure that decisions taken on future use of spectrum avoid a detrimental impact on consumer choice, platform competition, content investment and the wider creative industry and its ability to drive jobs and growth," says Caroline Thomson.

We'll keep you posted.

Researchers

I wonder if what went on in 24 Old Queen Street, SW1 stays in 24 Old Queen Street, SW1 ?

It's the former home of the Conservative Research Department. Chris Patten worked there, for a second spell, from 1968 to 1970, specialising in local government and social policy.  There, spookily at the same time, was Patricia Hodgson,  three years younger than Chris when she started, at 21. Now Dame Patricia, she will be Chair of Ofcom from April this year, after confirmation by the CMS Select Committee. 

She'll be getting £142, 500 a year for a three day week, supplementing her £119k BBC pension, and £10,500 pa from the School Teachers' Review Body.  Lord Patten gets just £110k for "three to four days" work a week from the BBC, though he does declare five other paid appointments.  

In the wacky world of public service broadcasting, the BBC Trust currently hands £3m of licence fee money every year in fees to Ofcom. 

Wish 3

.. is for an enlightened broadcaster or politician to change the way we broadcast the proceedings of Parliament. The current camera positions have all the glamorous angles of supermarket security, capturing tops of heads, not facial expressions - and the microphones favour baying, not debate.

Now, when we can place good cameras in cricket stumps and intestines, why not stick something in the ferrule of Black Rod's rod ?  Wing cameras on the Speaker's chair ?  A little swiveller in the parliamentary mace ? At least something that gets to the eye-line of those at the despatch box...  And if the main speakers were better mic-ed, with some discreet sound reinforcement around the backbenches, then Ed Balls might not have to turn purple to be heard - and the ridiculous "home" and "away" supporters might eventually modify their unedifying behaviour.

David Dimbleby, who largely manages to keep order in the volatile Question Time, might coach Bercow into developing a presence he clearly lacks.

And then next year, we can start getting rid of some of the parliamentary language that gets in the way of understanding what's left of our democratic process. Do we really need all this "right honourable" palaver, when, demonstrably, most of our MPs are neither ?

Wait in lounge

Director of BBC North Peter Salmon has filled the seat on the European Broadcasting Union executive left vacant by Roger Mosey, Master of Selwyn College and irritator of Danny Cohen.

Wonder what that will do to the BBC's flight bill from Manchester - or, indeed, London ?

Getting the bird

Mitt Romney took the opportunity of the Presidential debate to restate his intention to stop government subsidies to PBS, broadcaster of moderator Jim Lehrer's Newshour - and of Sesame Street, home to Big Bird. “I’m sorry, Jim. I will stop the subsidy to PBS. I like PBS. I love Big Bird. I actually like you. But I’m not going to keep spending money on things to borrow from China.”

Broadcast funding from Uncle Sam is funnelled through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; as well as PBS stations, it supports the radio services of NPR and PRI, and provides funding for educational and community programmes. In 2010, it paid out over $500m (California was the biggest beneficiary, at £55m; New York followed, with $47m); in 2011, it's been estimated that PBS and NPR shared a pot of around $430m. The CPB claims its funding supports 21,000 jobs, which in turn contribute more than $1 billion to the US economy.

Flag of convenience

It was only in April that Rupert Murdoch told the Leveson Inquiry he considered himself "half-Scottish". In 1985, Rupert became a US citizen in order to buy a chain of tv stations; to do that, he had to give up his Australian passport. Yesterday, he blamed "The English" for his strategic decision to split News Corporation in two; it was nothing to do with "hacking", he said.

Until July last year, this businessman with a self-professed medium- to long-term view wished to invest £7 billion to take full control of BSkyB.

If Chloe Smith v Paxman made you feel uncomfortable, try this from 5.45 in, to around 9.10. I'm rather pleased he's concentrating his thinking on the States.

Fearless

I thought this might be a good weekend to collect pictures of broadcasters in wellingtons, but then again...

A very short arm's length

We need much more information on Fred Michel, News Corp's lobbyist on the BSkyB takeover - who clearly knew all these emails to DCMS special advisers and civil servants were coming via Rupert Murdoch to Leveson, and attempts to create a Hunt defence in this additional witness statement.  But somehow, sure-footed Fred seems to make things worse...

I didn’t personally meet with Jeremy Hunt very often although I would periodically keep in touch with him. As it happens, both our wives gave birth in late May 2010 at Chelsea and Westminster hospital. We bumped into each other in the very same ward and shared a night of anxiety


And it wasn't just emails that were exchanged.


There were a few personal text messages between Jeremy and myself, For example, after the formal meeting on 20 January 2011, I sent Jeremy a text to say it had been good to see him. He replied: "Good to see u too. Hope u understand why we have to have the long process. Let’s meet up when things are resolved Jo" 16 On 13 March 2011, after Jeremy had been on the Andrew Marr Show on the BBC, I sent him a text saying that he had been "very good". He replied: "Merci hopefully when consultation over we can have a coffee like the old days!


But this is the bit that does it for me... (my underlining)


For the purposes of these emails, I did not distinguish between Jeremy Hunt’s advisers and him personally. His advisers were there to assist and advise Jeremy Hunt and it was my understanding that when they told me something, it was always on behalf of the Minister and after having conferred with him

Hunted

Overnight, images of the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport brought a 1973 film to mind - Michael Chricton's Westworld. The brief synopsis: "A robot malfunction creates havoc and terror for unsuspecting vacationers at a futuristic, adult-themed amusement park".

The media marathon

Selected timings...

Michel Roux 3.54

Will Perry - 5Live Sport - 3.54

Sophie Raworth - 3.56

Mark Hutchings - 5Live News - 4.06

Rachael Hodges - 5Live News - 4.36

Mrs Mark Hutchings - 5.04

Susanna Reid - 5.12

Ed Balls - 5.33

Nerveless

I'm a little alarmed to read in Broadcast that BBC Sport is introducing new programme scheduling software ahead of the Olympics. There are plenty of self-imposed challenges ahead - capturing every event and streaming or broadcasting them, 3-D, High Resolution, the bloomin' Torch; all from blocks of flats or shipping containers on site, or from Salford, where there have been reports of the odd outage of media systems in the past four weeks.

The scheduling system comes from Deltatre, a largely Italian firm, who are already supplying results computers and tv graphics. Let's hope the scheduling works out of the box - 160 days to familiarise yourself before the opening ceremony.

Technology

The BBC's technology boss, John Linwood, has given an interesting interview to Silicon.com about his vision for the years ahead.  He thinks the BBC cannot yet go with external providers for cloud computing, but is launching an "internal cloud".  He's moving basic PC provision to Windows 7 and Microsoft 2010.  And he's refreshing the stock of PCs - he says he's done a deal for staff to get Macs for the same price, and that he expects 10,000 staff to move to new devices - laptops etc, leaving 10,000 with upgraded PCs.

c BBC

Linwood says staff in journalism are increasingly using Microsoft Sharepoint to move information around (with the much more ambitious Journalism Production Tools project in deep-freeze).  Smaller vehicles for newsgathering are promised - all capable of delivering audio and video.   Local wireless networks around the vehicles should eliminate the need for extensive cabling and rigging.

One project aims to reduce the equipment needed in local radio studios to just headphones, microphones and a control interface.  All the other "stuff" would virtual.  The ambition would be to equip three or four studios for the cost of one.  (This assumes there'll still be a requirement for local radio studios after the Delivering Quality First process).   All worth a read.

Yep, there's a degree for it...

Salford University has more than caught that showbiz vibe ahead of the move into MediaCityUK. It's now offering an MSc in Media Psychology, in which you will learn about issues such as body image, pornography, violence and celebrity culture (along with the duller, role of the media in education, communication and entertainment).

Your leader will be Adam Galpin, whose specialism is research in eye-tracking. Presumably he won't mind eyes wandering to celebrity-spot out of the windows during his lectures.

Frenzy news

The language of competition law is marvellously oblique.   We are, I believe, not very far from a public 15 days of frenzy as the News International/Rupert Murdoch "undertakings in lieu" about the proposed full control of BSkyB emerge from Office of Fair Trading/Ofcom review, and go to public consultation.   The belief is that the undertakings set out proposals - probably both financial and editorial - to separate Sky News from the mothership, perhaps only sustained by a long-term contractual agreement on funding.

This won't satisfy the opponents of the Murdoch move, who argue that the plurality debate is about much more than news provision. If Hunt hands an acquiescent OFT/Ofcom report straight on to the Competition Commission, the takeover goes ahead.  So the press pressure on Jeremy Hunt and David Cameron over the fortnight will be extraordinary - and it's a fair bet a few more stories have been stacked up in readiness.  

Acquiring skills

Time for some training, I think. What about a course at the Bournemouth Centre for Excellence in Media Practice ?   "Leadership and management - understanding the nature of work organisations", co-taught by Bob Shennan, Controller of Radio 2 and 6Music; two days residential course (sorry, that should read "creative retreat"), seven weeks online tuition, £800, inc VAT. But do I qualify ?

Must be a media professional with: an undergraduate degree and relevant work experience (normally 2 years); or significant and relevant work experience (normally 10 years) and can demonstrate an ability to both complete and benefit from the course. 


I thought the point of being an undergraduate was to progress to graduation and a first degree, but maybe it's different in a Media Academy.  It may be also be a place where you can mangle grammar and split infinitives at will.  Lead on to excellence, Bob.

UKTV on the move

It looks like UKTV will have a new home somewhere in London in 2011.   The landlords of 160 Great Portland St, W1 have done a deal to end their leases, and re-furbish the 86,000 sq foot block. So the people who bring you Gold, Watch, Eden, Dave and Dave Ja Vu are on the move - but there's no clue yet as to where. I wonder if the BBC has any ideas ?

UKTV is a joint venture between Virgin Media and BBC Worldwide.   There have been rumours in previous years that Worldwide was ready to buy Virgin out, but the latest buzz is that US group Scripps Network are looking at the Virgin share.

It's the third time Number 160 has been "made over".   Great Portland Estates created it as a unit in 1968, then again in 1996.   One enterprise will be more than interested in a good new tenant - next door restaurant, bar and gourmet food shop, Villandry.

Flankers (part two)

Gloria De Piero's career seems to have gone politics/showbiz/politics, and now she may have ended up with a mix of both, joining Ivan Lewis's new Shadow team at the DCMS.

Born in 1972 to manual worker Giorgio and his wife Maddalena in Queensbury, Bradford (home to Black Dyke Mills and its famous band), she took her A-Levels at Bradford and Ilkley Community College. There she became President of the Students' Union and launched a call for a students' charter.

Then on to university to study social sciences.  She's variously described studying both at the University of Central England in Birmingham  (she wrote as President of the Students union there to the THS)  and the University of Westminster, but seems certain she got a first.  An MA (or an MSc ?) followed from Birkbeck College. In the 1992 election, wherever she was, she was on the doorstep for the Labour Party, campaigning for Neil Kinnock.

In 1997 she joined the team producing the Jonathan Dimbleby politics programme on ITV, then moved to the rival BBC team at On The Record/The Politics Show and some radio reporting for R4's The Westminster Hour. In 2003 she joined GMTV as Political Editor, and that's when things became a little more showbiz. She talked of a routine of taking MPs to J Sheekey's or The Cinnamon Club every Thursday. Fridays might be The Ivy with friend Kate Garraway, who she fixed up with Derek Draper. Saturdays were roasts with partner James Robinson, writing about media for The Observer and The Guardian.  She noted her basic TV makeup - Chanel Vitalimiere Satin Smoothing Fluid foundation, Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara and Clarins Colour Quench lip balm.  She briefly tried blonde.  She became known as "Tony Blair's favouritve interviewer".  She established good relations with Gordon Brown - one interview question started "Some women say you remind them of Heathcliff..."   Gloria and James were guests of Gordon at Chequers.  In 2008, FHM placed her at 85 in a list of the world's 100 sexiest women, and her embonpoint became a discussion topic on the web at home and abroad.

February 2010 was an interesting month for Gloria; she made a couple of appearances next to Ian Wright and others on the fluffy Channel 5 Five O'Clock Show; then suddenly announced that tv was "unfulfilling" and she would seek the Labour nomination for Ashfield in Nottingham - where Geoff Hoon was standing down.   She got in - but Hoon's majority of 10, 213 came down to 192 (after a recount).

Gloria enters the DH Lawrence Heritage centre, Ashfield

Flankers (part one)

Ivan Lewis, Shadow Culture Secretary, has two new chums to help him, as well as the wisdom of Tessa Jowell, sticking with her Olympics brief.   They are Ian Austin and Gloria De Piero.

Ian's cultural and sporting heritage is hard to spot. Educated at the Dudley School, and then graduating from the University of Essex, he got a job working for Black Country Publishing back in Dudley, and writing for Midland Sport Magazine, mainly on football and cycling. Then, through local politics and Labour Party PR, into the Commons in 2005, aged 40. At the last election, he squeezed in by 649 votes. If he's known for anything, it's for being one of "Gordon Brown's boot-boys" (copyright D Cameron). 

Austin(r) discusses England team selection with Andrew Marr. Pic from DTel

More on Gloria to follow...

City fan for Cockspur Street

So it won't be Caroline Flint v Jeremy Hunt in DCMS debates.  Ed Miliband has given the Shadow Culture Secretary role to Ivan Lewis MP.  Ivan voted for David in the leadership election, and didn't cast any of his other preference votes.

His principal qualification seems to be that he's a Manchester City fan. He says he has four season tickets to Eastlands, and doesn't use corporate hospitality.

He was born in March 1967 in Prestwich and educated at William Hulme Grammar School in Whalley Bridge, Manchester, (Motto Fide Sed Cui Vide  "Trust but watch whom you trust"),  Stand Sixth Form College and Bury College.  At 19, he entered "the local voluntary sector". At 23, he married Juliette Fox, 30 in one of the many local synagogues - Prestwich and its environs have the second largest Jewish population in the UK.   In the same year, 1990, he was elected to the local council for Sedgley ward.  He worked for Outreach, Contact Community Group and was latterly Chief Executive of the Manchester Jewish Federation. 

In 1997 he was elected to Parliament for Bury South.. 

In 2006, Ivan, aged 39, left Juliette, and their two sons, then aged 9 and 11, in the family home in Prestwich for an affair with a local Labour Councillor and neighbour, Margaret Gibb, 50 - who left her husband and student son.   At that stage, Ivan moved to live with his father, Joel, in Sedgley Park.  The affair apparently didn't last long.

In January 2008, Ivan's debating style as  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health lead to Libdem Greg Mulholland calling him "an a*******", as Hansard reported it.  The Daily Mail filled in some of the blanks to help the bewildered reader: "an a***hole".


In June 2008, the News Of The World revealed that a secretary working for Ivan in the Department of Health had complained about text messages from her boss. Susie Mason had been moved to other work, then left for a job with City accountants.  The timing of the revelation was odd - the texting seems to have happened in 2006/7, and the News of The World got its story as Lewis was openly calling for stronger leadership from Gordon Brown, and said Labour should be franker about taxing the rich.   Nick Cohen cites the appearance of the story as one of the reasons he began to despise Gordon Brown.


In costs and allowances last year, Ivan claimed £173,382, placing him at 51st in the league table of all MPs. At the Guardian, Andrew Roth profiled him as  a "youthful Blairite showing glutinous fealty as displayed by robotic loyalist interjections".