Re: [Swprograms] Trojan horses (link corrected)

[jfiglio1@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Well, you make some excellent points here.  And we haven't made a 
distinction between BBC domestic and external services and that would 
certainly introduce its own dynamic to this conversation.

But isn't the proof of the pudding in the eating?  Let's take news.  
There was a time when the BBC would have (and rightfully) totally 
ignored a storyline like the Michael Jackson trial.  At times it has 
positively reveled in it!  There are numerous other examples of this 
preoccupation with the trivial.  That, to me, is a commercially-
induced reaction.  Other examples can flow from there.  Let's take 
World Service programming which is increasingly being given over to 
news at the expense of creative program features.  It is said this is 
done because news is the BBC's most marketable product.  Is that not a 
commercial reaction?  The BBC's own rhetoric continuously talks about 
competition, return on investment, and service to "customers" and 
other such things in a manner that puts you in the mind that they are 
talking about a business, not a public service.  BBC Worldwide--which 
is now on the auction list--was clearly 

I am--perhaps--to old fashioned in my preferences.  But I am not a 
cave-dweller.  I've embraced many of the new tools.  However, I do 
perceive an active diminution in depth, scope and quality in the World 
Service's offerings at least.  I think anyone making an honest 
assessment of the BBC now vs. the BBC a few years ago would have to 
admit that they see this too.

Finally, I agree that sweeping generalizations are not helpful.  In 
the sense that I am speaking, I'm not necessarily using "commercial" 
as an overall pejorative term--just perjorative in the sense that it 
is injurious and inconsistent with a public service remit.  It 
certainly is useful to have other perspectives in play to avoid a 
certain incestuous stagnation.  And, yes, some market principles 
applied in this environment can be useful in reducing waste and 
excess.  But, in my view, it has not been a useful mix of perspectives 
that have been at play here recently; rather, an almost wholesale 
supplanting of one orientation for another.

John Figliozzi

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Barraclough <softbulletin1@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Friday, May 27, 2005 10:38 am
Subject: Re: [Swprograms] Trojan horses (link corrected)

> 
> --- jfiglio1@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> > If the primary source of its funding is advertising,
> > then even though it might be set up as a public
> > corporation it still operates under the rubrics of
> > the commercial sector.
> 
> Except that it has got a public service remit
> > 
> > If the BBC is simply going to do what the commercial
> > sector does adequately and in some cases better
> > already, then there's no reason to have a BBC.
> 
> Which was my main criticism of Gregg Dyke who did have
> a largely commercial background
>  
> >My criticism of
> > current BBC management practices stems from its
> > penchant for applying the standards of commercial
> > broadcasting almost across the board to what is (has
> > been and still should be) a distinctly different
> > enterprise.  It is my contention that the reason
> > they do this is because they do not understand that
> > difference.
> > 
> 
> I do not agree with your seeming assertion that people
> with a commercial background should not hold BBC
> management positions. It is a generalisation.  If BBC
> management personnel have been in the commercial
> sector it could be argued they see better the
> different approaches and can use the commercial
> sectors marketing skills they have seen to raise
> revenue for a public sector broadcaster without
> compromising the programming. And you are vague as to
> who these people are. Michael Grade has held positions
> in the commercial sector, BBC, Channel 4 which I think
> you would accept could at least be classified as
> hybrid, and commercial companies in non broadcast
> areas. If you only promote from within you run the
> risk of getting a narrow minded self-satisfied
> mindset, just hang around in your position for a few
> years and wait your turn on the promotion ladder.
> After all remember that one of the leading candidates
> for Director General with only BBC experience was Mark
> Byford.
> 
> Mike 
> 
> 
> 	
> 	
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