BBC "Delivering Quality First" changes to transmissions
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Here is a quick overview of the services that are going to be cut back.
BBC TWO England HD to replace BBC HD channel
The BBC proposals say:Closing the BBC HD channel and replacing it with a single version of BBC Two in high definition.
We will continue to invest in high-definition broadcasting, including through the replacement of BBC HD with a single version of BBC Two HD. The variants of BBC One in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would be broadcast in HD from 2012.
Launch a single version, with no variations in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, of BBC Two in HD in 2012 to replace the current BBC HD channel. Nations variations would continue in SD
Some BBC One regions to be culled from satellite
The BBC proposals say:We are reviewing the number of regional variants in England we carry on digital satellite and intend to reduce this to enable savings in distribution costs, though these programmes would continue to be transmitted on Freeview
Red button to be cut to single screen on satellite and cable after Olypmics
The BBC proposals say:Reduce the number of video streams available on satellite and cable from nine to one to provide a more consistent service across all TV platforms. This would take place towards the end of 2012, after the Olympic Games
Close the news multiscreen service
Medium Wave and Long Wave to close
The BBC proposals say:Reductions to Medium Wave transmissions for local radio in England in places where coverage duplicates FM
No re-investment in Long Wave once the current infrastructure ÂÂwhich relies on technology that is no longer being manufactured has reached the end of its life. In the long term, this will result in the end of Radio 4 on LW, although we do not expect the transmitters to fail in the current Charter period. If they do fail suddenly, we are committed to safeguarding the programming on Radio 4 LW and will use our analogue services to provide continued coverage.
Help with Which system?
In this section
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Why not let the directors take a pay cut then there would be no need for cuts in programing.
| link to this comment |
Ian's: mapI's Freeview map terrainI's terrain plot wavesI's frequency data I's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Ian: I think that if you look at that you will find that there are so few "directors" that even if you eliminated their remuneration entirely that it would not fund much in the way of programming.
| link to this comment |
Mark: and BBC Radio Derby is one of the local radio stations that has yet to find a home on DAD as there is no local radio multiplex operating in Derbyshire.
| link to this comment |
Gareth smart: It is not the ability to access other regions the BBC is going to remove but whole BBC One regions, they will not be accessible in any way (other than by Freeview) if they are removed from satellite.
| link to this comment |
Dave: The Licence Fee, as one of two hypothecated taxes in the UK (the other is the London Congestion Charge) provides a way of the BBC being independent from government.
If direct taxation was used then the BBC would become a "state broadcaster" under government control, rather than a "people's broadcaster" under the "royal charter" as at the moment.
| link to this comment |
John Fisher/John F: One "advantage" of having the BBC World Service radio being paid for by the Licence Fee is that duplication can be removed. Before the two services had to duplicate foreign staff because the had to be funded by different methods.
The "BBC World Service" is an independent news service under normal BBC rules and has never provided "propaganda".
| link to this comment |
M
michael9:48 AM
It would certainly be interesting to know audience statistics for all transmitters. Where there is - de facto! - coverage by FM or DAB, then MW may justifiably become superfluous. BUT published plans indicate that there will be areas with BBC local radio coverage now on MW which will then have zero coverage - unless many infill DAB transmitters including a commercial multiplex are built. Two big ifs! The DQF consultation curiously does not mention DAB replacing AM local BBC radio. The official ostrich-mode response to DSO and CCI problems may have something to do with scepticism regarding official proclamations re radio... We hear nothing of provision for a national emergency. (Blackberry is a pinprick, but indicative of the vulnerability of modern communications.) A small number of MW stations with emergency capability would best meet the requirement. The short list of "protected" MW transmitters might well be intended for this, ie Radio 5 plus selected others. Re BBC budget cuts : if there were an independent public board to determine BBC budgetary expenditure, major programme production and duplication costs would be slashed without diminishing quality. It is important that all with an interest respond to the consultation and write to MPs and local authorities. Our local council is now taking up the issue at BBC and government levels.
| link to this comment |
michael: "We hear nothing of provision for a national emergency"
That bit is actually addressed, as the mobile phone system has a special "emergency" protocol built into it. At one point in the past my phone was one of those devices allocated for emergency priority, for reasons I am not able to disclose.
I can't quite see the logic is saying that MW or LW is needed in "an emergency" as I can't think of many people who would have such a device.
There is no logical reason why an analogue network would be needed "in an emergency" given that everyone has access to Freeview...
| link to this comment |
Friday, 14 October 2011
M
michael9:12 AM
I get the impression that this is the thinking at government level, the assumption being that no emergency is foreseeable which would cripple communications significantly, so FM, DAB, DTT, DSat etc. combined would provide enough cover. Let's hope such assumptions are never put to the test!
As long as MW local radio is replaced with an equally audible DAB or FM signal, I will be happy to have less interference when listening to foreign AM stations!
| link to this comment |
M
michael9:18 AM
Gareth smart: It is not the ability to access other regions the BBC is going to remove but whole BBC One regions, they will not be accessible in any way (other than by Freeview) if they are removed from satellite. (Briantist, 13.10.11)
Not good news for viewers forced to switch to satellite because they cant get a freeview
signal...
| link to this comment |
Select more comments
Your comment please