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Old 21-02-2011, 15:41
Charnham
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these cuts are going to destory the BBC, and make me cry in the process.
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Old 21-02-2011, 15:56
RobbieSykes123
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Losing the RVP is probably not something the BBC welcomed but it depends what figure ITV is paying for it. In a time of deep cuts at the BBC, I dont think paying loads for a show that basically just boosts album/dvd sales for entertainers just before Christmas should be a priority.

From a programming perspective I think the cuts have already begun. 3 part series seem to be replacing 6 part series as the cost and risk is becoming too much. Sherlock, Wallender, Zen, South Riding, George Gently (just 2 episodes per series) are examples of this.
I would much rather have full runs of these hit series, and investment in others, than some of the things the BBC spends money on.

I'm sure they could invest a sizeable sum into new programmes if they:

- scrap BBC4, and subsume its output within BBC2's (and in some cases, BBC1's), which could in turn mean some existing BBC2 commitments could be reined-in

- air more narrative (and older) repeats on BBC3 whilst at the same time developing it as a feeder channel for BBC1/2, cutting out some of the crap they currently shovel BBC3 cash into

- invest money into (cheaper) new comedy and light enterainment for BBC1 instead of big budget-big flop dramas like Outcasts, Survivors, The Deep

- use the lesser-watched off-peak hours/weekends to air classic and much-wanted repeats from the Beeb's extensive archive

- ditch the likes of the Asian Network, 1 Extra, Six Music, the Scottish Gaelic networks that serve no purpose that can't be covered already elsewhere

- make the BBC website more focused, and a hub for other external sites (as is already happening).

- stop needlessly moving staff and programmes to the regions (well, too late on that score, the cost has been incurred)

- sack 15% of BBC management, and give the rest a 10% pay cut
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Old 21-02-2011, 15:58
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News just coming through, unsurprising - first race of the F1 season in Bahrain has been cancelled from 11th to 13th March. First race will now be two weeks later in Australia.

Thankfully the schedules for that weekend haven't been released yet, so the provisionals later this week should reflect this.
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Old 21-02-2011, 16:05
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- ditch the likes of the Asian Network, 1 Extra, Six Music, the Scottish Gaelic networks that serve no purpose that can't be covered already elsewhere
You must have forgotten the uproar when they proposed this last time. 6Music fans reacted furiously!

No way should it be scrapped when it has a passionate, loyal and growing listener base that are, if anything, underserved by the BBC.
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Old 21-02-2011, 16:30
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these cuts are going to destory the BBC, and make me cry in the process.
jesus wept?
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:02
C14E
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The RVP seems like a good buy for ITV - it has always seemed to do really well for them and comes at a good time of the year for them. I suspect there's a lot of money to be had advertising the DVD's & music performed on the show.
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:04
mlt11
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I would much rather have full runs of these hit series, and investment in others, than some of the things the BBC spends money on.

I'm sure they could invest a sizeable sum into new programmes if they:

- scrap BBC4, and subsume its output within BBC2's (and in some cases, BBC1's), which could in turn mean some existing BBC2 commitments could be reined-in

- air more narrative (and older) repeats on BBC3 whilst at the same time developing it as a feeder channel for BBC1/2, cutting out some of the crap they currently shovel BBC3 cash into

- invest money into (cheaper) new comedy and light enterainment for BBC1 instead of big budget-big flop dramas like Outcasts, Survivors, The Deep

- use the lesser-watched off-peak hours/weekends to air classic and much-wanted repeats from the Beeb's extensive archive

- ditch the likes of the Asian Network, 1 Extra, Six Music, the Scottish Gaelic networks that serve no purpose that can't be covered already elsewhere

- make the BBC website more focused, and a hub for other external sites (as is already happening).

- stop needlessly moving staff and programmes to the regions (well, too late on that score, the cost has been incurred)

- sack 15% of BBC management, and give the rest a 10% pay cut
You must have forgotten the uproar when they proposed this last time. 6Music fans reacted furiously!

No way should it be scrapped when it has a passionate, loyal and growing listener base that are, if anything, underserved by the BBC.
The BBC basically now faces a choice.

EITHER it makes the sort of changes on Robbie's list - you can argue about the detail but Robbie's list represents a scaling back of what I would describe as the "infrastructure" of the BBC - ie closing networks, making the whole thing smaller.

OR if it doesn't reduce the "infrastructure" it is simply not going to have the money to compete every time ITV / Sky come in with a higher bid for a high profile piece of BBC content.

Now no doubt the temptation is going to be to muddle through, pruning a little bit here and a little bit there. Well I can tell you that strategy is not going to work.

The growth in Sky (especially) but also ITV / C4 / C5 revenues over the next 6 years whilst BBC revenues fall (allowing for extra costs re World Service / S4C) is going to lead to a massive change in the balance of power.

So my conclusion is either do what Robbie says, or get ready for a drip, drip, drip of announcements like today's re RVP on a very regular basis over the next 6 years.
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:19
GeorgeS
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The BBC basically now faces a choice.

EITHER it makes the sort of changes on Robbie's list - you can argue about the detail but Robbie's list represents a scaling back of what I would describe as the "infrastructure" of the BBC - ie closing networks, making the whole thing smaller.

OR if it doesn't reduce the "infrastructure" it is simply not going to have the money to compete every time ITV / Sky come in with a higher bid for a high profile piece of BBC content.

Now no doubt the temptation is going to be to muddle through, pruning a little bit here and a little bit there. Well I can tell you that strategy is not going to work.

The growth in Sky (especially) but also ITV / C4 / C5 revenues over the next 6 years whilst BBC revenues fall (allowing for extra costs re World Service / S4C) is going to lead to a massive change in the balance of power.

So my conclusion is either do what Robbie says, or get ready for a drip, drip, drip of announcements like today's re RVP on a very regular basis over the next 6 years.
ITV had to go through a painful period of getting its cost base in order over the last few years while the BBC was rolling in cash. So no sympathy from me.

And of course people are going to come back and say but isn't Doctor Who or David Attenburgh great. Well for £3bn a year you'd bloody well hope they make something good.
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:21
Charnham
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ITV spent the past few years welching on its public service commitements & making poor quality programs, an option the BBC simply do not have.
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:33
GeorgeS
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ITV spent the past few years welching on its public service commitements & making poor quality programs, an option the BBC simply do not have.
simplistic analysis as usual
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:35
Charnham
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simplistic analysis as usual
but im not wrong.
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:38
Andy23
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Not bothering to bid for the RVP (assuming that is what has happened) is exactly the sort of cut that the BBC should be making.

If you edited out the ad breaks, you wouldn't be able to tell a BBC RVP from an ITV one, so it has no real effect on the overall TV landscape.

This is much better than the BBC axing something where the commercial alternative is very inferior or non existant. (i.e scrapping documentary programmes)
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:38
GeorgeS
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but im not wrong.
you ignore the cost cutting within the back office
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:40
Charnham
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you ignore the cost cutting within the back office
which the BBC is doing, but will likely have little effect on the cost of making a TV program, and the kind of programs that would not normally be cost effective.
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:47
grahamzxy
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I would like to see bbc1 and bbc2 free from repeats in primetime between 6pm to 10pm - show any bbc1 reruns on bbc3 and bbc2 repeats on bbc4.

Boost spending on main two channels - bbc3/4 with less original channels ought require less funding.

Aim to increase viewer share for main channels and retain entertainment and arts on bbc3/4 respectively.

Off to check annual budgets for bbc1/2 must be over £1.5 billion combined
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:48
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which the BBC is doing, but will likely have little effect on the cost of making a TV program, and the kind of programs that would not normally be cost effective.
£100m here or a £100m there will make no difference? Its hard to take any of your posts seriously.
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:50
Chris1964
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Not bothering to bid for the RVP (assuming that is what has happened) is exactly the sort of cut that the BBC should be making.

If you edited out the ad breaks, you wouldn't be able to tell a BBC RVP from an ITV one, so it has no real effect on the overall TV landscape.

This is much better than the BBC axing something where the commercial alternative is very inferior or non existant. (i.e scrapping documentary programmes)
Id be interested to know just how the process went on. There seems to have been a gentlemans agreement that the show alternates for the most part of the last 50 years. Presumably ITV have broken ranks, or have the Beeb discreetly indicated they are not interested. Its so out of the blue its quite intriguing.
Its not so long ago that the Beeb were offering to televise the NTA's because ITV was the poor relation. Quite a turnaround.
As far as drip drip drip is concerned. Some people may be quite happy that the Beeb loses contracts-but if it does become a regular occurance the whole "whats the point of the licence fee" debate will escalate to yet another level.
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:51
Charnham
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£100m here or a £100m there will make no difference? Its hard to take any of your posts seriously.
alot more effective would be for the BBC to be allowed to merge its regional news, which will save billions over the years
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Old 21-02-2011, 17:55
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Don't really see the fuss about the RVP. It works well with the rest of ITV's entertainment output and makes plenty of sense for them. But its also perfectly sensible for the BBC to wave goodbye to it.

It was a unique commodity once, but the BBC enjoy several other extravaganzas (I'm thinking mostly the Telethons) which tend to enjoy a very similar mix of comedians, musical shows and (inevitably) Take That. Given the less than enthusiastic way the BBC scheduled last years edition, I can't see them being massively cut up.

mlt11 may well be right - and loss of big sporting rights in the future will hurt big time. But I don't think this falls into this category.
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Old 21-02-2011, 18:28
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Some amazing growth for NCIS in the officials.

Wednesday 2nd February: 1,745,000
Wednesday 9th February: 2,708,000

Up 55% week-on-week.
That is because the episode on the 2nd faced John Nettles' last episode of Midsomer whereas the week after it was against football and a Panorama special. Drama seems to hit NCIS harder than football.
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Old 21-02-2011, 18:31
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I doubt the BBC will be that bothered, the show has been declining in audience over the years and is something of an anachronism. It no longer seems to have the big star names of the past. But it would be interesting to know if the BBC were given the chance to bid for it.
I wonder if ITV would like a ten-year contract for my magic beans?
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Old 21-02-2011, 18:35
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It was the first time I recall it being moved when BBC2 didn't have some other sporting commitment at the same time (eg, snooker). I suspect they'd scheduled the film for last night, knowing there were no PL fixtures expected this weekend due to the FA Cup, then WBA/Wolves rescheduled a postponed fixture, and the late slot on BBC1 was the only place left for the highlights.
MOTD2 was scheduled for BBC One, so BBC Two Wales wouldn't be caught out if their coverage of the Welsh Open Snooker final overran.
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Old 21-02-2011, 18:40
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ITV had to go through a painful period of getting its cost base in order over the last few years while the BBC was rolling in cash. So no sympathy from me.

And of course people are going to come back and say but isn't Doctor Who or David Attenburgh great. Well for £3bn a year you'd bloody well hope they make something good.
I am tempted to agree. ITV plc went through a very painful period two years ago where 600 jobs were lost due to the advertising slump and regions were merged. There were rumours that possibly a digital network could go or ITV1 could shut down after GMTV until 5pm to save money. However, none of yhis happened and ITV recovered from a financial crisis that could have seen it collapse- the huge revenues from the Cowell shows in 2009 must have helped.
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Old 21-02-2011, 18:52
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alot more effective would be for the BBC to be allowed to merge its regional news, which will save billions over the years
I'm assuming this is a joke...
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Old 21-02-2011, 19:07
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That is because the episode on the 2nd faced John Nettles' last episode of Midsomer whereas the week after it was against football and a Panorama special. Drama seems to hit NCIS harder than football.
It's still a massive leap for the officials which includes recorded viewing up to 7 days.

I just wish Channel 5 would advertise NCIS more. I don't think it's had any since the season premiere.

They should also take a serious look at securing first run rights - this show is too popular to air first on little watched FX.
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