GO
Strange. Channel 4 and even Channel 5 have loads of documentaries of a similar ilk.
...no they don't. They absolutely don't. With the exception of those Katie Piper docs I can't think of any C4 documentaries (and certainly none on C5) that approach the subject matter with a view to how it actively effects the lives of young people today. Commercial docs tend to make the participant's story into something unrelatable and to be gawped at.
But much of BBC3's content simply isn't available elsewhere. You couldn't find most of BBC3's docs on any commercial service.
Strange. Channel 4 and even Channel 5 have loads of documentaries of a similar ilk.
...no they don't. They absolutely don't. With the exception of those Katie Piper docs I can't think of any C4 documentaries (and certainly none on C5) that approach the subject matter with a view to how it actively effects the lives of young people today. Commercial docs tend to make the participant's story into something unrelatable and to be gawped at.
IS
That went so well last time didn't it? The other problem with that idea is that those stations are driving digital radio take up. 6 Music in particular is very popular now... almost more listeners than Radio 3
Again, they tried that and it was very unpopular.
How would that save money? The cost is the content, not the distribution
Heart and Capital do news?
That's largely gone (not that the problem was ever as bad as some made out), but there are reasons why you'd want to do different versions of news for different audiences - a regional angle for example. If it's too much work for a single crew to make two different angles or the coverage is going to last a long time then of course they'll need 2 crews.
Personally I think there's
loads
of other ways to cut costs. Some have already been mentioned.
Close all the DAB-only radio channels. 1Xtra, 4 Extra, 5Live Sports Extra, 6Music and Asian Network all need to go.
Close all the DAB-only radio channels. 1Xtra, 4 Extra, 5Live Sports Extra, 6Music and Asian Network all need to go.
That went so well last time didn't it? The other problem with that idea is that those stations are driving digital radio take up. 6 Music in particular is very popular now... almost more listeners than Radio 3
Quote:
Introduce regional daytime networking to Local Radio.
Again, they tried that and it was very unpopular.
Quote:
Close BBC Four, and move
that
content onto BBC Two.
How would that save money? The cost is the content, not the distribution
Quote:
Reduce the massive duplication of resources in news. You wouldn't see Heart and Capital each send their own journalists to a story
Heart and Capital do news?
Quote:
so why send Radio 1 and Radio 2 separately for example? Why send both a National team and Midlands Today to a story in Birmingham?
That's largely gone (not that the problem was ever as bad as some made out), but there are reasons why you'd want to do different versions of news for different audiences - a regional angle for example. If it's too much work for a single crew to make two different angles or the coverage is going to last a long time then of course they'll need 2 crews.
BR
Completely agree gottago - there is no other TV outlet providing the sort of factual content that BBC3 is.
If it was a case of saving money by closing a stream it would be a no brainer to axe BBC Parliament - it should have gone in favour of the red button stream when it can be served so much better online through Democracy Live, and still get very decent coverage thrugh BBC News, BBC2 and where necessary red button coverage.
However that's not the case this time - it's saving a chunk of cash, hence the moving BBC3 online argument doesn't wash as there is no point closing a channel and maintaining the programme budget - we know that'll be slashed as well.
It's programmes beyond TV and radio that need to be axed - non-commercial foreign services for a start, and then schemes which have nothing to do with TV but somehow have ended up at the BBC's door.
If it was a case of saving money by closing a stream it would be a no brainer to axe BBC Parliament - it should have gone in favour of the red button stream when it can be served so much better online through Democracy Live, and still get very decent coverage thrugh BBC News, BBC2 and where necessary red button coverage.
However that's not the case this time - it's saving a chunk of cash, hence the moving BBC3 online argument doesn't wash as there is no point closing a channel and maintaining the programme budget - we know that'll be slashed as well.
It's programmes beyond TV and radio that need to be axed - non-commercial foreign services for a start, and then schemes which have nothing to do with TV but somehow have ended up at the BBC's door.
IS
They aren't. CBBC shares those streams. I don't see how they're saving a single penny here.
In terms of transmission, they're only really saving money on a Sky EPG slot. BBC3 is just a few MB on a transport stream containing BBC1,2,4 etc.
The thing that's not been thought out is that online distribution is more expensive than broadcasting
According to radio 4's media show, we should expect a formal announcement tomorrow.
It seems at the moment, that while the channel will disappear, the content will still be made and available on the iPlayer... which begs the question, of how they expect to save much money at all by axing it's transmission streams ...
It seems at the moment, that while the channel will disappear, the content will still be made and available on the iPlayer... which begs the question, of how they expect to save much money at all by axing it's transmission streams ...
In terms of transmission, they're only really saving money on a Sky EPG slot. BBC3 is just a few MB on a transport stream containing BBC1,2,4 etc.
The thing that's not been thought out is that online distribution is more expensive than broadcasting
JO
It's all about perspective though, there is a difference in my opinion between public service value and content that's deemed worthy by up on high. That need for coverage of Parliament can and is be severed in different ways now it's a very niche audience that want to watch coverage of those obscure select committees it should be accessible to the public but online is surely accessible enough to allow that to happen to a reasonable extent, with the larger debates getting coverage on other BBC channels.
I'm sure the viewing figures BBC Three's 'worthy' programmes such as Free Speech, 60 Seconds and the documentaries, mostly stuff that the commercial sector wouldn't touch with a bargepole are gigantic in comparision to what BBC Parliament gets and as they are reaching an audience that wouldn't usually be exposed to news and current affairs they are of great importance. BBC Parliament is just a token gesture it's of no real value to anyone.
Coverage of Parliament has no public service value compared to BBC Three? You cannot be serious. They were lucky BBC Three even got a service licence.
It's all about perspective though, there is a difference in my opinion between public service value and content that's deemed worthy by up on high. That need for coverage of Parliament can and is be severed in different ways now it's a very niche audience that want to watch coverage of those obscure select committees it should be accessible to the public but online is surely accessible enough to allow that to happen to a reasonable extent, with the larger debates getting coverage on other BBC channels.
I'm sure the viewing figures BBC Three's 'worthy' programmes such as Free Speech, 60 Seconds and the documentaries, mostly stuff that the commercial sector wouldn't touch with a bargepole are gigantic in comparision to what BBC Parliament gets and as they are reaching an audience that wouldn't usually be exposed to news and current affairs they are of great importance. BBC Parliament is just a token gesture it's of no real value to anyone.
IS
BBC Parliament has two things in particular going for it - it costs almost bugger all and it features people who have influence on any decision to close it.
It's like BBC Local Radio, without it lots of MPs wouldn't get any airtime so cuts tend to be more resisted than other services
It's like BBC Local Radio, without it lots of MPs wouldn't get any airtime so cuts tend to be more resisted than other services
JO
May I just say I'm not trying to suggest Parliament should go, because I understand why it's there and that it must cost next to nothing to run compared to Three and Four.
But I think it's beyond ridiculous to suggest the public service value of that channel is greater than that of BBC Three. Something virtually no one watches or needs has very little value in my opinion.
BBC Parliament has two things in particular going for it - it costs almost b****r all and it features people who have influence on any decision to close it.
It's like BBC Local Radio, without it lots of MPs wouldn't get any airtime so cuts tend to be more resisted than other services
It's like BBC Local Radio, without it lots of MPs wouldn't get any airtime so cuts tend to be more resisted than other services
May I just say I'm not trying to suggest Parliament should go, because I understand why it's there and that it must cost next to nothing to run compared to Three and Four.
But I think it's beyond ridiculous to suggest the public service value of that channel is greater than that of BBC Three. Something virtually no one watches or needs has very little value in my opinion.
JO
No, the contract runs out this year anyway. It'll probably end up on Channel 4.
Does this means family guy is leaving terrestrial then?
No, the contract runs out this year anyway. It'll probably end up on Channel 4.
KE
Strange. Channel 4 and even Channel 5 have loads of documentaries of a similar ilk.
...no they don't. They absolutely don't. With the exception of those Katie Piper docs I can't think of any C4 documentaries (and certainly none on C5) that approach the subject matter with a view to how it actively effects the lives of young people today. Commercial docs tend to make the participant's story into something unrelatable and to be gawped at.
My Secret Past is a good example of this type of documentary on Channel 5 (although the last 3 episodes were shown in graveyard slots, which isn't a good sign).
But much of BBC3's content simply isn't available elsewhere. You couldn't find most of BBC3's docs on any commercial service.
Strange. Channel 4 and even Channel 5 have loads of documentaries of a similar ilk.
...no they don't. They absolutely don't. With the exception of those Katie Piper docs I can't think of any C4 documentaries (and certainly none on C5) that approach the subject matter with a view to how it actively effects the lives of young people today. Commercial docs tend to make the participant's story into something unrelatable and to be gawped at.
My Secret Past is a good example of this type of documentary on Channel 5 (although the last 3 episodes were shown in graveyard slots, which isn't a good sign).