News and Comment - Forum for former BBC staff

News and Comment - Forum for former BBC staff http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=News News and Comment - Forum for former BBC staff en-us Forum for former BBC staff Sat, 09 May 2026 16:27:01 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 30 BBC cuts Staff and possibly Channel http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1776279136 Forum for former BBC staff/News and Comment http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1776279136 <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyv11lryv7ro" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyv11lryv7ro</a> iPlayer takes to the air http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1775645549 Forum for former BBC staff/News and Comment http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1775645549 According to BroadbandTVNews, <a href="https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2026/04/08/bbc-studios-launches-in-flight-bbc-player-streaming-service/" target="_blank">here</a>, a special version of BBC iPlayer is due to be available in aircraft later this year. April's Prospero 2026 is here http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1774979340 Forum for former BBC staff/News and Comment http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1774979340 It's been uploaded, but as has happened in the past there's been a delay putting the link up on the website. So here it is: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/mypension/documents/bbc-prospero-april-2026.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.co.uk/mypension/documents/bbc-prospero-april-2026.pdf</a> DG's View http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1769420901 Forum for former BBC staff/News and Comment http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1769420901 In an interview given to "The Guardian" DG Tim Davie says "The BBC will face “profound jeopardy” over its future unless it embraces significant changes to its funding, ......" The interview, by Michael Savage, is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jan/26/bbc-tim-davie-licence-fee-funding-model" target="_blank">here</a>, in which the DG rejects a suggestion that the BBC should be funded by advertising or subscriptions. BBC and YouTube http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1768994989 Forum for former BBC staff/News and Comment http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1768994989 According to the BBC Press Office, <a href="https://t.co/LoCfPc6WoA" target="_blank">here</a>. "BBC Group and YouTube today announced a new strategic partnership, focused on investments in new programming, collaborating to showcase more BBC moments that bring the UK together on YouTube, and upskilling the next generation of future creators and producers from across the UK." More <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q4521pg28o" target="_blank">here</a> from the BBC News Site. And more from "Variety" <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/global/bbc-confirms-landmark-youtube-deal-1236636483/" target="_blank">here</a>. "Last week, the FT reported that the BBC would also be able to generate a profit from any partnership with YouTube by advertising on programs shown outside of the U.K. As a public service broadcaster, it does not earn money through advertising on home soil, instead charging a license fee to British audiences for access to its content." And more from "Deadline" <a href="https://deadline.com/2026/01/youtube-bbc-confirm-content-deal-1236691349/" target="_blank">here</a>. This includes some interesting statistics...."Under the agreement, the BBC will grow its number of YouTube channels to 50, which includes those operated by commercial arm, BBC Studios. New specialist channels will include BBC3’s Deepwatch (working title), featuring new and existing documentaries. Seven children’s channels will also be launched, including The Epic Facts channel, which will bring together content from BBC series including Horrible Histories and Deadly 60. The BBC will also showcase “moments that bring the UK together” like the Winter Olympics." New BBC Job:- HOW http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1767617285 Forum for former BBC staff/News and Comment http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1767617285 "HOW":- "Head Of Whistleblowing". According to "The Independent"..... "As advertised on the website, the broadcaster is seeking to hire two senior roles: a Head of Corporate Investigations & Whistleblowing, and a director in the same department. The Head of Corporate Investigations is a replacement for an existing position". There is more <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/bbc-investigations-whistleblowing-job-scandals-b2894533.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Government Green Paper & consultation-BBC funding http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1765904157 Forum for former BBC staff/News and Comment http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1765904157 I see the Beeb is expected to go back to the 80s and the Computer Literacy era! The Register (a must read for all those who truly love their computers!) reveals that ... "The UK government wants the BBC to help Brits understand AI and develop basic technology skills as part of the public broadcaster's next charter period. In its charter review published on December 16, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) says it wants the Beeb to become a "trusted guide" in navigating technological change. "In particular, we want the BBC to support basic and universal skills on the one hand, and on the other to help the public understand AI, engage with it constructively and understand its impacts." This could include teaching people to recognize AI-generated content, assess its reliability, and learn basic prompting skills." No mention then of the BBC's existing TV programmes alerting people to the scams where their money is at serious risk!! <img src="http://www.ex-bbc.net/yabbfiles/Templates/Forum/default/angry.gif" border="0" alt="Angry" title="Angry" /> Help please: to Publish TV memories http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1765484267 Forum for former BBC staff/News and Comment http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1765484267 I wrote an account of an ill-fated Drama-Doc about Napoleon's last exile we made on Lundy 1989. For reasons of difficulty finding a Publisher I had 400 "Crumpet Goes To Lundy" printed and self-distributed in 2010 but am constantly asked for copies. Our filming memories seem to be a niche market. If anybody can help with good suggestions I'd be very grateful. Thank you. DG and News CEO resign http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1762725188 Forum for former BBC staff/News and Comment http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1762725188 A major news item on the BBC News site:- More <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vn25d5dq7o" target="_blank">here</a>. Licence Fee change-hinted. http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1759831128 Forum for former BBC staff/News and Comment http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1759831128 Whether or not the Beeb bigwigs agree, there is so much public hostility to the BBC now that something must be done. I feel much of what needs to be done is about the way the Corporation is being run, the direction it is headed and the lack of awareness of what the viewers and listeners want. But I cringe when I see what readers of The Times, Telegraph and Mail say when given the slightest opportunity. Increasingly people who are likely to vote Reform are becoming vociferous and nasty about what is still the world’s best broadcasting model. And it is not just about money or the licence fee.