Points of View

Although it was a nice POV special it did suffer from the fact that many of the questions put to the individuals weren't actually answered.

The big reveal about a new interactive feature, wasn't anything special at all. Just someone from the interactive team asking us what programme should make use of the alternative audio stream feature (ie a stream removed of commentary or background music on a programme). He'll then be coming back in six months to say whether its possible. Err, great

Peter Fincham (nicely making himself more available for interviews than I think Lorraine Heggessy ever did) was also on and asked about a few subjects including credits.

Couple of issues with his comments - he seemed to suggest that all credits were 'lengthy' and the same as they were a few decades back. I don't think that's true and is 30-40secs from a 60min programme really too long?

And although he said credits wouldn't disappear in the immediate/near future he did see a time when maybe there wouldn't be any as viewers can always visit a website to see who the sound man was. True but he's missing the important fact that many viewers still like a few seconds to 'wind down' after an emotional end to a programme before being bombarded with more promotions. Whilst I understand most not caring about the situation as it currently is (and probably after 4th June as well), if credits were removed I think the complaints would significantly rise.

Maybe instead of suggesting a single programme to make use of the second audio feature, BBC One should just have a permanent stream where all credits are announcerless?!

And let's hope POV is still on air at the start of June as I'm sure they'll cover the new ECPs.

Agreed. He'd be there forever.

"Are you simply using these ECPs to degrade the viewers' experiences?"

"well, the point is..."

"Are you paying any respect to programme makers?"

"Statistics have consistently shown..."

"Are you disrespecting the programme makers?"

"The important matter is..."

"That is not answering the question of whether you are disrespecting the programme makers and the viewing public."

With an extra two-page spread per day for TV listings in the Radio Times , now there's no excuse for ECPs. Surely the size of the font for programme listings will be increased?

Terry said he would be away for two weeks.

And if that sort of question-dodging continues, it will start to erode the confidence and faith of those unhappy viewers in the BBC and their willingness to not just take on board, but act on the feedback they receive.

The Beeb could go ahead and do what they wanted if they never got any complaints, but they do - and if a particular comment or suggestion within reason doesn't have any majority objection from members of the public who've argued for the other side of an argument, then it should really be acted upon.

But on issues that both are / aren't at the forefront of debate among licence fee payers, how are we supposed to know the stance the Beeb take if marketing folks, channel controllers and such keep avoiding answering direct questions?

When that happens, I automatically assume the interviewee has been asked something to which they either don't know the answer even though they should, or don't want to reply to directly because their answer is one the public would not be happy to hear. And that does nothing to counter the increasing amount of cynicism I feel toward Auntie.

And according to BBC1, Todays POV will also be with Jeremy Vine. 3 Weeks now without Terry. Hmmm...

EDIT: Ah he's back next week.

Well there you go! Terry's back next week. I was almost beginning to think the BBC had made Jerry the new Terry.

Has Terry been doing his radio show this week?

No, Johnnie Walker has. Who's even more sycophantic with the Pause For Platitudes tossers.

To be honest I've preferred it with Jeremy Vine as I find that Terry quite often speaks rubbish, which makes no sense and wastes time in such a short programme, and speaks in a bit of a patronising tone. I also got the impression from these past editions with Jeremy that the programme and viewer's opinions have had more impact with influencing management and getting some answers to their decisions as opposed to just a collection of people's comments that aren't listened to, which I quite often think is the case when Terry presents.
So I'll be a little disappointed when Terry comes back next week and there won't be any nice views from the playout suite either

I'm just waiting for him to shout "I'm Jeremy Vine.. press the red button now to see my whole head"