Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> is aerial coming back ? http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1286227260 Message started by redlight on Oct 4^th, 2010, 9:22pm

Title: is aerial coming back ?
Post by redlight on Oct 4^th, 2010, 9:22pm

i miss it .......

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by Administrator on Oct 5^th, 2010, 6:25am

Here's the background:

We used to get an electronic copy sent to us by a sympathetic person. It was not an "official" arrangement but I understand it was done with the full knowledge of the Editor.

But in July, the Managing Editor of Internal Communications, Stephen James-Yeoman, stopped the supply.

I have emailed him, twice, to ask him to reconsider, first on July 13th then again on the 30th. But he has not replied.

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by F.M. on Oct 5^th, 2010, 8:20am

I would ask for his e-mail addy but I know what the reply would be.
'Thank you for your correspondence Aeriel is available on subscription at such and such a price'.

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by aashton on Oct 5^th, 2010, 12:33pm

Shame - but typical of the "new" BBC especially the "no reply" bit

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by Administrator on Oct 5^th, 2010, 3:49pm

Well, if you want to try emailing him, the address I have is:
Stephen.Yeoman@bbc.co.uk

Let us know how you get on.

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by Dickie Mint on Oct 7^th, 2010, 8:56am

I'd reply if it wasn't so expensive.

If it's free for staff it should be at least at a big discounted price for retired staff. Not at the same price as everybody else.

Richard

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by F.M. on Oct 7^th, 2010, 9:58am

E-mail sent...watch this space!

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by F.M. on Oct 7^th, 2010, 10:13am

Dear Stephen.
I worked in the BBC for well over thirty years and left in 2008.

Since then I have been posting on the forum for ex BBC staff which keeps me informed of all things BBC past and present.

I have enjoyed reading the online version of aerial which I read weekly when I was employed in Glasgow but notice that it is no longer available online on the ex staff website.

I am writing to ask if there are plans to reinstate this facility so that ex BBC employees can continue to keep abreast of current events within the corporation.
Yours Sincerely

And the prompt reply....

Sent: 07 October 2010 10:57
To: Stephen James-Yeoman
Subject: Aerial Online.

Hello

Ariel does offer a subscription facility so that those former staff members are able to continue to receive the newspaper. You can arrange a subscription by phoning 0161 485 6540.

I hope this helps,

Thanks,
Stephen

No surprises then.... ::)

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by Knocking On on Oct 7^th, 2010, 2:35pm

It was nice to see how things currently are at the BBC. All those "Young Things" smiling away while probably on 3 or 6 month contracts.
The Birtism management speak etc that adorned most pages and even a running article on where people buy their clothes!
It seems to me looking back at copies I have from the 70's how much Aerial has (along it seems with the rest of the BBC) been "dumbed down".
As a now "Professional viewer" (or should I say "End User" ) of BBC TV it appears that Production Values are irrelevant, as long as you have the camera zooming in and out for no reason, or the camera walking around a person while being interviewed...completly putting you off whats being said.
Then if you have found a programme that can be enjoyed the whole thing is spoiled by announcements over the credits or worse the picture miniturised so much that you can't read the credits, just in order to trail the next programme...whats the rush all of a sudden.
However after this negativity I would like to say that BBC4 is VERY underestimated, it's got the air of BBC2 of old, both in programmes and relaxed Presentation.

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by JohnW on Oct 10^th, 2010, 10:38pm

Hasn't this fellow (Stephen James-Yeoman) realised that, by publishing Ariel electronically to the 400 or so current members (and the many other "Guests" who come here to read it) it is both more economical and "greener" that an electronic copy be made available than to have the extra paper and ink used, as well as the 'postal load' being avoided? After all, it is already electronically typeset, and I assume that previously there's been no extra work involved by Ariel staff before it can be displayed here.
Given that the print run is already fully paid for by the BBC (whether all the copies are picked up and read or not!) surely it is being little but spiteful to us "old hands" to require us to pay towards something which is already budgeted for. Even if we did all pay £1 a week (a total of £20K per annum) - which is really way beyond its true "value" - it would make next to no difference to the finances of the section producing the news-sheet in the long run - or to the BBC in general.
Besides, why isn't Ariel already available electronically to the working staff? Surely that's where the biggest saving is to be had.

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by Administrator on Oct 11^th, 2010, 10:26am

In July 2009, the BBC received a request under the Freedom of Information Act, about the finances of Ariel. This was its reply:

1. How much does it cost to produce Ariel?
Approximately £2,474 per week with a print run of 16,300

2. What is Ariel's circulation?
Currently 15,000 copies reduced for the summer from 16,300

3. Of this circulation, how many copies are:

distributed free within the BBC?
13,900 (based on current print run of 15,000 copies)

paid for by subscription?
Approximately 142 as at October 2008. There are also around 950 on a free mailing list consisting of regional audience council members, people in the media industry and BBC overseas offices.

4. How much income is generated by subscriptions to Ariel?
Approximately £7,000 to £7,500

5. Does Ariel contain paid advertising?
Yes

6. If Ariel does contain paid advertising, how much income is generated by this advertising?
Approximately £100,000 per annum

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by Amigo on Oct 11^th, 2010, 3:12pm

So why not make Ariel freely available via a pdf on-line for everyone?

That way there would be no printing costs.
Only those that were interested would access it.
There would be a greater circulation outside the BBC (retired staff etc) and hence a greater income from advertising.

It would be easier to edit and produce, as the page layout would not be dependant upon numbers of pages, and it could be 'right-up-to-date'.

Distribution costs within BBC buildings would be reduced.

Come on, Mr. Stephen James-Yeoman, get into the 21st century,
let us all have access to Ariel.
OK, so you will lose some (but not all) of your £7,500 income from subscriptions, most of which you'll make up in increased advertising revenue, but you will save a lot on postage, distribution (within the BBC) and printing costs.

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by Administrator on Oct 14^th, 2010, 8:57am

The Ariel costs are interesting.

The income of £7.5K per annum from subscriptions looks to be the gross figure. Net of costs it must be very small. It might even turn out to be loss-making.

But even if it were net income, it proves - to my satisfaction, anyway - that it is not commercially viable to offer Ariel subscriptions.

The only reason for offering subscriptions, therefore, is to provide a service. All well and good.

But that same argument surely applies to distributing the pdf, free, to this site and elsewhere.

Or have I got the logic wrong?

Bob Eggington

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by F.M. on Oct 14^th, 2010, 5:38pm

Perhaps we should send Mr Yeoman a link to this thread.
If he sees the circulation and the money figures he may reconsider. ::)

The sad fact is that auntie is so driven to make/save cash these days that she will do anything to prevent even loyal ex-staff members from benefitting from a potentially profit making venture.

Blinkered and uncaring auntie...you should be ashamed! :(

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by Peter_Neill on Oct 18^th, 2010, 9:50pm

JohnW wrote on Oct 10^th, 2010, 10:38pm:

Besides, why isn't Ariel already available electronically to the working staff? Surely that's where the biggest saving is to be had.

It is - as are back-issues over several years.

It does seem churlish that retired staff can't access it officially for free.

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by TomT on Oct 23^rd, 2010, 8:23pm

The delivery of copies to the Tunbridge Wells studios has recently halved, they want everyone to read the online version. With a reduced distribution I wonder if they have reduced the cost of the advertising?

Title: Re: is aerial coming back ?
Post by exengineer on Nov 5^th, 2010, 10:51pm

I could send out Ariel as an attachment if I could find how to do it on this forum. It would be a best endeavours process and so long as the BBC don't object to it.