BBC axe TV channel controllers

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-19/seismic-restructuring-shows-times-really-are-changing-at-the-bbc

BBC2 controller Kim Shillinglaw, whose role also included BBC4, has been axed having lost out to Charlotte Moore, controller of BBC1, to become the corporations new "super controller", running BBC1, BBC2, BBC4 and the BBC iPlayer. The move is set to save them around £200-£250k a year in salary, though they argue it's abuot streamlining the process more than anything. Currently the heads of department (factual, comedy etc.) would pitch to each controller separately - now they'll go to Charlotte and if she likes it she'll decide where it goes.


Not quite sure how I feel about this - merging the BBC2 and BBC4 roles made sense but I'd have thought BBC1 and BBC2 were still big enough to justify someone being in charge of each, and really I'd have thought you're looking for different qualities in people to run each channel.

So now the entire televisual output of the BBC domestically comes down to one person? Not sure I like the sound of that to be honest.

Surely it always did - there was a Director/Head of Television

But did they have overall control over commissions?

It might reduce the duplication etc?

It's a lot of power concentrated in one person and a very wide brief, but people do speak highly about Charlotte Moore.

From the BBC press release, each channel will still have its own editor:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/controller-tv-and-iplayer

I guess it does reduce rivalry/tensions. There have been stories in the past of resentment when shows move from BBC2 to BBC1, and BBC2 not wanting shows originated on BBC4.

It may also make life easier for independent producers pitching ideas and the BBC has a terrible reputation in this regard.

Might reduce the fifedom mentality, and allow the bloody tennis to stay on the channels it was scheduled for if there are no ego issues between two competing controllers.

So pretty much confirmation from the BBC that BBC3 no longer exists.

Shillinglaw went because of internal politics - she was far too close to Danny Cohen and this is the perfect opportunity for Lord Hall to wield the axe.

As for concern for one persons control over £1bn budget... this forum is full of comments insisting the BBC cuts back on management - you got what you wanted so its too late to complain now.

Not sure about "full of". There is one, perhaps 2 members who state that view, I'd say outnumbered significantly.

It's Digitalspy that's full of people who despise the BBC (or most likely a handful of people with mulitple accounts!), not here!

Sensible move. And I'm one of that minority.