Perhaps the Jubilee coverage sumarises the BBC's problem.
Does "The BBC" transmit to the Great British Public..

1) what they 'ought to see'.
2) what they WANT to see.
3) what someone thinks they want to see.
4) that for which they are prepared to pay (ie:- nothing).

Someone (high-up) decided that "half a day's procession of 'sundry old boats' up the Thames would be boring", so they decided to lighten it up a bit with a 'One Show' taste- this was an editorial decision.

Some members of the public had greater expectations and wanted to know how many rivets were used when the third boat in line was built, and what did the flags mean?

Some members of the GBP simply wanted to see what was happening and probably were not even watching with the sound turned on!

Some members of the press want to see 'Auntie' Dead, for very obvious reasons...

Was the event "News"?



(Pity about the bad weather).

Those of us on this esteemed forum, who once worked in "Public Service Broadcasting" now know that it doesn't matter anymore. It's out of our hands.
The "powers that be" (whoever they might be.. News Corp, Government......-priority noted-) have stronger 'clout' with those that decide. The Great British Public are mere mortals (who are short of money at this time), and we, ex-staff, are antiques.

"What's in it for me"? Everyone asks...

Loyalty? Forget it. Where is the money? Commentators, sports, artists, actors, engineers, producers, DGs, channel controllers, actors, writers...all levels of staff go where the money is...The BBC (or ITV, for that matter) once developed talent, which then left for "greener newer, (better-paid) pastures".

The BBC as a PSB is finished. "Vested interests" will finish it off, they can smell the blood on the carcase of PSB already...  Auntie is not well....

My opinion? Unless someone who really cares, and who has charisma, is appointed to be the next DG, the next licence-fee-settlement will be the last, and the death-knell of UK PSB will be sounding. Can't you hear it now? (Cue FX "Bells").

There is no more money in the system... and yet 'they' pile on the responsibilty for
"Digital Change-over",
bad 4G Mobile 'phone reception and associated interference with "Freeview" TV transmissions..,  
Wales TV....
"The World Service", (if ever there was an example of what the "Great British Public" are paying for (one way, or another) and yet they don't know its true value..

freeze the income for x years,
cut the programmes, actors, producers, musicians...
cut the staff,
cut the facilities,
sell the premises,

do they care?
do they have any choice?

Nobody (with a voice) cares anymore.

In five years' time, someone might ask "What have we lost?", by then, it'll be too late.


Next week's editions of
"Flog It" will be "The BBC". Please see the publicity for the sale of World Service technical facilties.. the auction is soon...
"Homes Under The Hammer" will be "Broadcasting House".
"Match Of The Day" will feature DG versus PM.
"Antiques Roadshow" will display equipment I have used. (Oh, it already has- a Ferrogaph, OBA9, and a PGS).
"Bargain Hunt" will be the EPG slots and frequencies used by The BBC.



It's not the (bad) editorial decision made for the pageant coverage, (these things happen "Go and see the DG" for a slapped-wrist)... it's the public response that was so bad; relying it seems, on freelance presenters and journalists to defend the Corporation in the print media. IF there had been an immediate 'sorry we got the flavour of our coverage wrong, and it rained' announcement, then, OK, we can accept that, but it's the apparent pompous attitude that left so much to be desired.

Perhaps now is the time to ask the dreaded-question, is this the end of the Licence-fee?

Let the BBC go head-to-head for advertising, product-placement, sponsorship and let true 'market-forces' see what happens?
Charge News Corporation for the 'free feed' of the BBC channels onto the SKY EPG.

Can the TV licence-fee be maintained with iPlayer, computers, PVRs, and x-Boxes?
There is no such thing as a "TV set" anymore.