BBC Cost Cutting

I've just read more about cut-backs announced by Mark Thompson at the BBC, with 15% savings from drama alone.

Whilst reading the Radio Times last week, I noticed an article about the set design of Hustle . The designer spoke of the "designer" chairs and sofa built for the programme - it said that, "the suite is not for everyday use - it's not propper upholstery material, and the seats are made from cheap foam" yet it goes on to say it cost £4,500 to build! How can anyone build a useless sofa for £4,500 - couldn't they go and lease or buy a real one for much cheaper than that? I do hope it was a typo and only cost £450.

Now that does seem like a careless use of money to me.

Anyone got any other ideas for the BBC to save money?

not spend £700,000 on dancer idents.

How much did the BBC *spend* on promoting Doctor Who? Im sure it would have got similar viewing figures regardless how much the BBC spent on promotion due to the genuine interest in the programme and the huge amount of FREE publicity that was already generated by the programme! How many days passed without a picture of Billy or Christopher in the papers on the set????

Interestingly, both programmes mentioned in this thread (Hustle and Dr Who) have been the big successes of the week, so it would appear that advertising and high production values have a very positive impact on the final viewing figures.

As for the prop furniture; if the sofa makes an appearance in every show and is held in storage for the innevitable new series, then surely this is value for money? Leasing designer furniture would indeed be more expensive long-term, and then of course can't be damaged/blood-spattered etc. as the script dictates.

I'm not sure some people on here actually realise what things cost in this world.

*sigh*

The £700,000 figure that everybody throws about when trying to bash the current BBC ONE idents was a total figure for the whole initial brand refresh that saw the introduction of the boxed logos, the production of offline material such as new stationery and promotional material, and yes, the cost of the idents themselves. But to suggest that the idents alone cost that figure is completely misrepresentative of how the money was actually spent.

And it's equally popular to harp on about how much the BBC spends on promoting individual shows from time to time, but most people forget that the BBC owns, or has on long-term lease, almost all of the billboards that it uses to promote itself, so there are actually very few costs associated with promoting a show like Doctor Who, especially when so much of the promotion is actually carried "free" on BBC radio, TV and online services. Let's not forget too that a show like Doctor Who will provide huge merchandising opportunities for BBC Worldwide, so commercial promotion costs for the programme itself will likely be completely offset by merchandising revenues (considering BBCW is selling or preparing 70-odd different Doctor Who products). And for those who think it's grossly unfair for the BBC to be cashing in so shamelessly on a show like this, consider the opposing argument that it would be a ridiculous wasted opportunity not to.

maybe "suite" was refering to the hotel room and not the "3 piece suite"

No, it said, "In total it cost around £4,500 for the sofas, chairs and the coffee table". I take the point that a real sofa would have limited how it could be used and potential for damage etc. I still can't see how it cost that much to build out of "cheap" materials.... and I do know how much things cost in this world!

So that money went very much further than "a sofa", as you suggested. You must surely appreciate that to create the on-screen appearance of a room full of designer furniture for £4,500 is a veritable bargain.

you have to design it too you know.

I miss-typed that I do apologise - it was 1 sofa, 2 chairs and a table. I still think it cost too much.

Not if it had been bought from a shop, ( I edit) although having a quick look at the Mooch and New Heights web sites perhaps it is on the cheap side after all !

That was just an example though, so any other ideas about how to cost cut? They don't have to be serious!

However, and I think this is the point; they were creating a specific look for the show - luxuriant designer furniture can't be bought for that price, but it can be simulated by craftsmen.

The set dressings in hustle (although background) are a very important part of the production. They *do* look expensive and lavish. That's the point. These con people are seen to be living in fabulous luxury. Similar bugets are spent on other programmes. Do you question the hand-tied wigs in costume drama? They also cost thousands.

Now I'm not against seeing cost savings where appropriate; but moaning about how show budgets are spent seems to be very silly. Especially when every penny is up there up on the screen.

If you want to complain about gold-plated electrical switchplates in the DG's office then I won't object.