The Newsroom

Saving the News PSB on commercial channels

Possible solutions for the National/Regional News? (September 2011)

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MA
Markymark
Rijowhite posted:
Brekkie posted:
And if they haven't got the balls to p*** of ITV Plc, the compromise solution of letting ITV maintain the national network and putting the regional segments (so regional news and a commitment to X hours of regional programming a year) out to tender as "affiliates" would be a good one, with Scotland, Wales and NI offered as traditional regional franchises.


Yes! That sounds an excellent idea. Sounds like Ofcom want to make ITV give the Welsh franchise up anyway. The only thing I do wonder about though is whether the regional affiliates would make enough money to survive. Something would have to happen to make sure they do.


There's a problem with making a Wales only franchise, too many people in South East and North Wales use English transmitters. It's a throw back from the 60s and 70s when BBC 1, 2 and TWW (later HTV) had Welsh language programmes in peak time, then in the 80s, those programmes were transferred to S4C, making that unpalatable for many. It's the reason the IBA always linked Wales to the west of England.

I doubt a standalone Welsh ITV region could survive (assuming it had to provide the same level of service as BBC Wales ?)
EX
excel99
Markymark posted:
I doubt a standalone Welsh ITV region could survive (assuming it had to provide the same level of service as BBC Wales ?)

It probably wouldn't have to match the BBC. Currently ITV have to provide regional news in Wales plus a small number of Wales only programmes. I expect this would stay the same in any refranchising. Some weeks I don't think ITV Wales has any opt outs, while some weeks there are 3x30 minute Welsh programmes - I.e. not a huge amount and not as much as the Welsh only output of the BBC
IS
Inspector Sands
Rijowhite posted:
I'm aware of the history of News Channels in this country and their struggles. My proposal is a bit different though, as it involves the ITV regions, Channel 4 and Channel 5 working together as part of their licence. They wouldn't have a choice in the matter (they either provide the service or no licence). It would replace all News Bulletins on these channels and isn't there to make money.

The big problem with your idea is there's no 'hammocking'. A public service broadcaster puts it's 'worthy' programmes like news and documentaries in amongst popular programming to get the audience from them carrying over to the less popular programmes. By ghettoising all the news onto one channel you lose that advantage
RD
rdd Founding member
excel99 posted:
Brekkie posted:
I'd love OFCOM to have the balls to put the ITV franchises out to tender come 2014 (and now Desmond has bought it, C5 too!).

Would be very very interesting if that happenned. But I suppose ITVplc would have the 'nuclear' option of not applying and setting up a 'new ITV1', taking most of the programming with them, including all the ITV Studios shows, and leaving the new Channel 3 licences almost having to start from scratch


They've threathened that from time to time quite openly in negotiations with Ofcom over their licence obligations. But it's a nuclear option alright, its mutually assured destruction. They'd instantly lose their guarenteed EPG slot on Freeview and Sky and their guarenteed capacity on Freeview. They'd almost certainly be bumped down the EPG.

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