RI
I’m going to propose a far more radical alternative funding model for the BBC...merge BBC/ITV and Channel 4. With the way the World is going global we need a truly strong British Broadcaster/Producer/Publisher. The name for the new organisation would be BIB (British Independent Broadcasting) and the main PSB channels (BIB - currently BBC1) and Channel 4 (as an Channel for niche Broadcasting) would be funded through Advertising. They would be forced to keep certain budgets for programming and still show major events such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championships, The Olympics, Last Night Of The Proms etc with a mix of programming for all.
In this World of Google, Facebook, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sky etc we need to think bigger in my opinion (something we realised too late with ITV...). All other BIB TV channels would be through subscription (though they would simulcast some services such as News/Children’s programming on the FTA services) with Radio 1-5 remaining free for all though R5L would be merged with Local Radio services.
The Channel 3 franchises meanwhile could be up for grabs (though just as National Broadcasters for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland). Obviously STV would want to remain Scotland’s franchise...either that or merge with the rest of ‘ITV’.
In this World of Google, Facebook, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sky etc we need to think bigger in my opinion (something we realised too late with ITV...). All other BIB TV channels would be through subscription (though they would simulcast some services such as News/Children’s programming on the FTA services) with Radio 1-5 remaining free for all though R5L would be merged with Local Radio services.
The Channel 3 franchises meanwhile could be up for grabs (though just as National Broadcasters for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland). Obviously STV would want to remain Scotland’s franchise...either that or merge with the rest of ‘ITV’.
AN
But it does not mention Luton which is / was JPEG 2k over ip into Cambridge...
Luton closed a few years ago - the radio station moved to Dunstable.
I wonder why Radio York doesn't have any TV facilities?
But it does not mention Luton which is / was JPEG 2k over ip into Cambridge...
Luton closed a few years ago - the radio station moved to Dunstable.
DE
Interesting news story that. I can’t find a list of which are the 20 sites to close. Portsmouth is the only one with which I’m slightly familiar, it’s a small office at Gunwharf Quays and is used as a base for editing and the occasional live into South Today. For many years it was microwave linked to Southampton BH and, if the ferry went past, the signal would be totally blocked! The cost saving will be rent on these offices I should imagine in the main. Bournemouth was the same (based at the BIC). The dish was shared between the two, so you couldn’t do a live from Portsmouth and Bournemouth at the same time.
With new working practices and the ability to file via WiFi or 4G, this does seem very sensible.
With new working practices and the ability to file via WiFi or 4G, this does seem very sensible.
DA
Good grief, what's with the images on that site? That's awful.
A good account from Matthew D’Ancona of Tortoise on the BBC’s response to COVID-19 and its future funding:
https://members.tortoisemedia.com/2020/05/04/the-bbc-is-back/content.html
https://members.tortoisemedia.com/2020/05/04/the-bbc-is-back/content.html
Good grief, what's with the images on that site? That's awful.
SP
From a resourcing perspective, certainly. Particularly as vSat and Verv mean that most regions/stations have more vehicles that can go live these days before we even start with 4G apps.
The slight concern is on editorial balance. I saw a piece from the NUJ expressing concern that historically when a district office closes and the allocated district reporter then either works from home or the main base, the post generally lapses when they move on.
Having somebody based in Portsmouth whose only job is finding stories in that patch does guarantee that the area gets a certain level of coverage.
I know stations named for a city that cover a county have a problem with the perception that they don't cover the rest of the county that well.
With new working practices and the ability to file via WiFi or 4G, this does seem very sensible.
From a resourcing perspective, certainly. Particularly as vSat and Verv mean that most regions/stations have more vehicles that can go live these days before we even start with 4G apps.
The slight concern is on editorial balance. I saw a piece from the NUJ expressing concern that historically when a district office closes and the allocated district reporter then either works from home or the main base, the post generally lapses when they move on.
Having somebody based in Portsmouth whose only job is finding stories in that patch does guarantee that the area gets a certain level of coverage.
I know stations named for a city that cover a county have a problem with the perception that they don't cover the rest of the county that well.
MA
From a resourcing perspective, certainly. Particularly as vSat and Verv mean that most regions/stations have more vehicles that can go live these days before we even start with 4G apps.
The slight concern is on editorial balance. I saw a piece from the NUJ expressing concern that historically when a district office closes and the allocated district reporter then either works from home or the main base, the post generally lapses when they move on.
Having somebody based in Portsmouth whose only job is finding stories in that patch does guarantee that the area gets a certain level of coverage.
I know stations named for a city that cover a county have a problem with the perception that they don't cover the rest of the county that well.
There's always been rivalry between Southampton and Portsmouth over who is the 'regional hub' it extends beyond broadcasting. BBC South never really made a feature of the 'studio' in Pompey, it was mostly just lives from there with Gunwharf Quay in the background. I do recall one programme with Sally Taylor presenting the whole show from there, with a basic set and red sofa shipped in.
With new working practices and the ability to file via WiFi or 4G, this does seem very sensible.
From a resourcing perspective, certainly. Particularly as vSat and Verv mean that most regions/stations have more vehicles that can go live these days before we even start with 4G apps.
The slight concern is on editorial balance. I saw a piece from the NUJ expressing concern that historically when a district office closes and the allocated district reporter then either works from home or the main base, the post generally lapses when they move on.
Having somebody based in Portsmouth whose only job is finding stories in that patch does guarantee that the area gets a certain level of coverage.
I know stations named for a city that cover a county have a problem with the perception that they don't cover the rest of the county that well.
There's always been rivalry between Southampton and Portsmouth over who is the 'regional hub' it extends beyond broadcasting. BBC South never really made a feature of the 'studio' in Pompey, it was mostly just lives from there with Gunwharf Quay in the background. I do recall one programme with Sally Taylor presenting the whole show from there, with a basic set and red sofa shipped in.
CN
Bigger ≢ Better
By killing off the BBC and ITV brands, you'd also be killing off generations of culture and a British institution, and merging them would just make the whole operation inefficient and bloated. You're basically talking fairy tale stories.
If you're saying the subscription model is what makes Netflix tick, it's not about the subscription, it's about the content and the user experience. There's no way a "BIB" could compete against them by just having a bunch of linear tv channels sold under a subscription.
And what about news? The BBC provides actual, good, solid news coverage and has long had a reputation for integrity. They'd be erasing that through a new brand.
I’m going to propose a far more radical alternative funding model for the BBC...merge BBC/ITV and Channel 4. With the way the World is going global we need a truly strong British Broadcaster/Producer/Publisher. The name for the new organisation would be BIB (British Independent Broadcasting) and the main PSB channels (BIB - currently BBC1) and Channel 4 (as an Channel for niche Broadcasting) would be funded through Advertising. They would be forced to keep certain budgets for programming and still show major events such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championships, The Olympics, Last Night Of The Proms etc with a mix of programming for all.
In this World of Google, Facebook, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sky etc we need to think bigger in my opinion (something we realised too late with ITV...). All other BIB TV channels would be through subscription (though they would simulcast some services such as News/Children’s programming on the FTA services) with Radio 1-5 remaining free for all though R5L would be merged with Local Radio services.
The Channel 3 franchises meanwhile could be up for grabs (though just as National Broadcasters for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland). Obviously STV would want to remain Scotland’s franchise...either that or merge with the rest of ‘ITV’.
In this World of Google, Facebook, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sky etc we need to think bigger in my opinion (something we realised too late with ITV...). All other BIB TV channels would be through subscription (though they would simulcast some services such as News/Children’s programming on the FTA services) with Radio 1-5 remaining free for all though R5L would be merged with Local Radio services.
The Channel 3 franchises meanwhile could be up for grabs (though just as National Broadcasters for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland). Obviously STV would want to remain Scotland’s franchise...either that or merge with the rest of ‘ITV’.
Bigger ≢ Better
By killing off the BBC and ITV brands, you'd also be killing off generations of culture and a British institution, and merging them would just make the whole operation inefficient and bloated. You're basically talking fairy tale stories.
If you're saying the subscription model is what makes Netflix tick, it's not about the subscription, it's about the content and the user experience. There's no way a "BIB" could compete against them by just having a bunch of linear tv channels sold under a subscription.
And what about news? The BBC provides actual, good, solid news coverage and has long had a reputation for integrity. They'd be erasing that through a new brand.
TG
This is what I was thinking as both BBC and Channel 4 are PSBs and Channel 4 in the 80s and 90s was fed by the ITV regions. I was thinking a UK wide channel and then a channel for each of the nations on Channel 2 (eg, BBC England, BBC Scotland, BBC Wales) where BBC Scotland and Wales also similcast Channel 2 in England and a channel 3 which in England would be regional stations (Eg, Yorkshire Channel, London Channel, Midlands Channel) or in Wales and Scotland a channel Welsh and Gailic programmes (and even Scots).
The programmes would be created by the regional studios who feed into channel's 1 and 2, also with other franchises such as a News Studio (like ITN), a Sports Network and a Children's franchise but the regions make the programmes and help report on events in their regions and feed into these national franchises.
Also there is advertising where adverts are bought and sold by both the regions and a national advertising agency.
The radio would work the same with 3 national music stations, a news station, a sports station, a culture station (a la radio 3) and some regional stations courtesy of the regional broadcaters who also feed into the national services
This would be a hybrid of ARD in Germany and the old ITV (regional modal) and NPO in the Netherlands (different studios and agencies)
For a name I was thinking BBN (British Broadcasting Network: From British Broadcasting Corperation and ITV Network)
I’m going to propose a far more radical alternative funding model for the BBC...merge BBC/ITV and Channel 4. With the way the World is going global we need a truly strong British Broadcaster/Producer/Publisher. The name for the new organisation would be BIB (British Independent Broadcasting) and the main PSB channels (BIB - currently BBC1) and Channel 4 (as an Channel for niche Broadcasting) would be funded through Advertising. They would be forced to keep certain budgets for programming and still show major events such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championships, The Olympics, Last Night Of The Proms etc with a mix of programming for all.
In this World of Google, Facebook, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sky etc we need to think bigger in my opinion (something we realised too late with ITV...). All other BIB TV channels would be through subscription (though they would simulcast some services such as News/Children’s programming on the FTA services) with Radio 1-5 remaining free for all though R5L would be merged with Local Radio services.
The Channel 3 franchises meanwhile could be up for grabs (though just as National Broadcasters for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland). Obviously STV would want to remain Scotland’s franchise...either that or merge with the rest of ‘ITV’.
In this World of Google, Facebook, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sky etc we need to think bigger in my opinion (something we realised too late with ITV...). All other BIB TV channels would be through subscription (though they would simulcast some services such as News/Children’s programming on the FTA services) with Radio 1-5 remaining free for all though R5L would be merged with Local Radio services.
The Channel 3 franchises meanwhile could be up for grabs (though just as National Broadcasters for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland). Obviously STV would want to remain Scotland’s franchise...either that or merge with the rest of ‘ITV’.
This is what I was thinking as both BBC and Channel 4 are PSBs and Channel 4 in the 80s and 90s was fed by the ITV regions. I was thinking a UK wide channel and then a channel for each of the nations on Channel 2 (eg, BBC England, BBC Scotland, BBC Wales) where BBC Scotland and Wales also similcast Channel 2 in England and a channel 3 which in England would be regional stations (Eg, Yorkshire Channel, London Channel, Midlands Channel) or in Wales and Scotland a channel Welsh and Gailic programmes (and even Scots).
The programmes would be created by the regional studios who feed into channel's 1 and 2, also with other franchises such as a News Studio (like ITN), a Sports Network and a Children's franchise but the regions make the programmes and help report on events in their regions and feed into these national franchises.
Also there is advertising where adverts are bought and sold by both the regions and a national advertising agency.
The radio would work the same with 3 national music stations, a news station, a sports station, a culture station (a la radio 3) and some regional stations courtesy of the regional broadcaters who also feed into the national services
This would be a hybrid of ARD in Germany and the old ITV (regional modal) and NPO in the Netherlands (different studios and agencies)
For a name I was thinking BBN (British Broadcasting Network: From British Broadcasting Corperation and ITV Network)
MA
See pics
Note the indoor TV aerial!
Interesting news story that. I can’t find a list of which are the 20 sites to close. Portsmouth is the only one with which I’m slightly familiar, it’s a small office at Gunwharf Quays and is used as a base for editing and the occasional live into South Today. For many years it was microwave linked to Southampton BH and, if the ferry went past, the signal would be totally blocked! The cost saving will be rent on these offices I should imagine in the main. Bournemouth was the same (based at the BIC). The dish was shared between the two, so you couldn’t do a live from Portsmouth and Bournemouth at the same time.
With new working practices and the ability to file via WiFi or 4G, this does seem very sensible.
With new working practices and the ability to file via WiFi or 4G, this does seem very sensible.
See pics
Broadcasting live from the #BBC studio in #Portsmouth this morning. It has been a fantastic place to work for the last two decades. Thanks to all our friends and neighbours at @GunwharfQuays pic.twitter.com/E3n29w5Pg3
— Dominic Blake (@dhblake) May 6, 2020
Note the indoor TV aerial!
NG
This is what I was thinking as both BBC and Channel 4 are PSBs and Channel 4 in the 80s and 90s was fed by the ITV regions. I was thinking a UK wide channel and then a channel for each of the nations on Channel 2 (eg, BBC England, BBC Scotland, BBC Wales) where BBC Scotland and Wales also similcast Channel 2 in England and a channel 3 which in England would be regional stations (Eg, Yorkshire Channel, London Channel, Midlands Channel) or in Wales and Scotland a channel Welsh and Gailic programmes (and even Scots).
The programmes would be created by the regional studios who feed into channel's 1 and 2, also with other franchises such as a News Studio (like ITN), a Sports Network and a Children's franchise but the regions make the programmes and help report on events in their regions and feed into these national franchises.
Also there is advertising where adverts are bought and sold by both the regions and a national advertising agency.
The radio would work the same with 3 national music stations, a news station, a sports station, a culture station (a la radio 3) and some regional stations courtesy of the regional broadcaters who also feed into the national services
This would be a hybrid of ARD in Germany and the old ITV (regional modal) and NPO in the Netherlands (different studios and agencies)
For a name I was thinking BBN (British Broadcasting Network: From British Broadcasting Corperation and ITV Network)
How do you avoid a monopoly on national PSB news provision?
The BBC / ITN duopoly of PSB News is a key component of our media landscape. Just as ARD and ZDF compete in Germany, NRK and TV2 do in Denmark, and DR and TV2 do in Denmark? You could also look at FT and TF1 in France? (Are TF1 considered a PSB in the ITV-mould still, or do they no longer have PSB responsibilities?)
noggin
Founding member
I’m going to propose a far more radical alternative funding model for the BBC...merge BBC/ITV and Channel 4. With the way the World is going global we need a truly strong British Broadcaster/Producer/Publisher. The name for the new organisation would be BIB (British Independent Broadcasting) and the main PSB channels (BIB - currently BBC1) and Channel 4 (as an Channel for niche Broadcasting) would be funded through Advertising. They would be forced to keep certain budgets for programming and still show major events such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championships, The Olympics, Last Night Of The Proms etc with a mix of programming for all.
In this World of Google, Facebook, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sky etc we need to think bigger in my opinion (something we realised too late with ITV...). All other BIB TV channels would be through subscription (though they would simulcast some services such as News/Children’s programming on the FTA services) with Radio 1-5 remaining free for all though R5L would be merged with Local Radio services.
The Channel 3 franchises meanwhile could be up for grabs (though just as National Broadcasters for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland). Obviously STV would want to remain Scotland’s franchise...either that or merge with the rest of ‘ITV’.
In this World of Google, Facebook, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sky etc we need to think bigger in my opinion (something we realised too late with ITV...). All other BIB TV channels would be through subscription (though they would simulcast some services such as News/Children’s programming on the FTA services) with Radio 1-5 remaining free for all though R5L would be merged with Local Radio services.
The Channel 3 franchises meanwhile could be up for grabs (though just as National Broadcasters for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland). Obviously STV would want to remain Scotland’s franchise...either that or merge with the rest of ‘ITV’.
This is what I was thinking as both BBC and Channel 4 are PSBs and Channel 4 in the 80s and 90s was fed by the ITV regions. I was thinking a UK wide channel and then a channel for each of the nations on Channel 2 (eg, BBC England, BBC Scotland, BBC Wales) where BBC Scotland and Wales also similcast Channel 2 in England and a channel 3 which in England would be regional stations (Eg, Yorkshire Channel, London Channel, Midlands Channel) or in Wales and Scotland a channel Welsh and Gailic programmes (and even Scots).
The programmes would be created by the regional studios who feed into channel's 1 and 2, also with other franchises such as a News Studio (like ITN), a Sports Network and a Children's franchise but the regions make the programmes and help report on events in their regions and feed into these national franchises.
Also there is advertising where adverts are bought and sold by both the regions and a national advertising agency.
The radio would work the same with 3 national music stations, a news station, a sports station, a culture station (a la radio 3) and some regional stations courtesy of the regional broadcaters who also feed into the national services
This would be a hybrid of ARD in Germany and the old ITV (regional modal) and NPO in the Netherlands (different studios and agencies)
For a name I was thinking BBN (British Broadcasting Network: From British Broadcasting Corperation and ITV Network)
How do you avoid a monopoly on national PSB news provision?
The BBC / ITN duopoly of PSB News is a key component of our media landscape. Just as ARD and ZDF compete in Germany, NRK and TV2 do in Denmark, and DR and TV2 do in Denmark? You could also look at FT and TF1 in France? (Are TF1 considered a PSB in the ITV-mould still, or do they no longer have PSB responsibilities?)
NL
Bigger ≢ Better
By killing off the BBC and ITV brands, you'd also be killing off generations of culture and a British institution, and merging them would just make the whole operation inefficient and bloated. You're basically talking fairy tale stories.
If you're saying the subscription model is what makes Netflix tick, it's not about the subscription, it's about the content and the user experience. There's no way a "BIB" could compete against them by just having a bunch of linear tv channels sold under a subscription.
And what about news? The BBC provides actual, good, solid news coverage and has long had a reputation for integrity. They'd be erasing that through a new brand.
Its an interesting idea but wholly impractical for several reasons.
1. Merging R5L with local radio would kill off the latter. Right now the likes of BBC Radio Sheffield, Leeds etc have a united output at 7PM and handover to R5L or the World Service in the early hours. I've been involved in local radio and its not just about playing music its about being able to reach out to people in a way that TV has never been able to.
2. BIB 1 would soak up the vast majority of the revenue and ratings. Such a channel would IMHO have the most popular programmes. A channel that showed Emmerdale, Corrie and EastEnders along with Dr Who, Top Gear, BGT etc would dominate
3. A "Television England" would be shorn of anything worthwhile to show if "BIB-1" existed. It would just be a bigger and equally cash strapped version of "Channel 6"
4. Merging ITV and BBC News would lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs.
5. The subscription plan would go down like a lead balloon. The viewers would say "we pay enough for Netflix etc. Why should we pay to watch Corrie!
I’m going to propose a far more radical alternative funding model for the BBC...merge BBC/ITV and Channel 4. With the way the World is going global we need a truly strong British Broadcaster/Producer/Publisher. The name for the new organisation would be BIB (British Independent Broadcasting) and the main PSB channels (BIB - currently BBC1) and Channel 4 (as an Channel for niche Broadcasting) would be funded through Advertising. They would be forced to keep certain budgets for programming and still show major events such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championships, The Olympics, Last Night Of The Proms etc with a mix of programming for all.
In this World of Google, Facebook, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sky etc we need to think bigger in my opinion (something we realised too late with ITV...). All other BIB TV channels would be through subscription (though they would simulcast some services such as News/Children’s programming on the FTA services) with Radio 1-5 remaining free for all though R5L would be merged with Local Radio services.
The Channel 3 franchises meanwhile could be up for grabs (though just as National Broadcasters for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland). Obviously STV would want to remain Scotland’s franchise...either that or merge with the rest of ‘ITV’.
In this World of Google, Facebook, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Sky etc we need to think bigger in my opinion (something we realised too late with ITV...). All other BIB TV channels would be through subscription (though they would simulcast some services such as News/Children’s programming on the FTA services) with Radio 1-5 remaining free for all though R5L would be merged with Local Radio services.
The Channel 3 franchises meanwhile could be up for grabs (though just as National Broadcasters for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland). Obviously STV would want to remain Scotland’s franchise...either that or merge with the rest of ‘ITV’.
Bigger ≢ Better
By killing off the BBC and ITV brands, you'd also be killing off generations of culture and a British institution, and merging them would just make the whole operation inefficient and bloated. You're basically talking fairy tale stories.
If you're saying the subscription model is what makes Netflix tick, it's not about the subscription, it's about the content and the user experience. There's no way a "BIB" could compete against them by just having a bunch of linear tv channels sold under a subscription.
And what about news? The BBC provides actual, good, solid news coverage and has long had a reputation for integrity. They'd be erasing that through a new brand.
Its an interesting idea but wholly impractical for several reasons.
1. Merging R5L with local radio would kill off the latter. Right now the likes of BBC Radio Sheffield, Leeds etc have a united output at 7PM and handover to R5L or the World Service in the early hours. I've been involved in local radio and its not just about playing music its about being able to reach out to people in a way that TV has never been able to.
2. BIB 1 would soak up the vast majority of the revenue and ratings. Such a channel would IMHO have the most popular programmes. A channel that showed Emmerdale, Corrie and EastEnders along with Dr Who, Top Gear, BGT etc would dominate
3. A "Television England" would be shorn of anything worthwhile to show if "BIB-1" existed. It would just be a bigger and equally cash strapped version of "Channel 6"
4. Merging ITV and BBC News would lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs.
5. The subscription plan would go down like a lead balloon. The viewers would say "we pay enough for Netflix etc. Why should we pay to watch Corrie!