All posts by Greg
Below are all of Greg's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Perhaps the answer to your 'gun to the head' question is not one of cutting 'content' but cutting 'distribution and infrastructure/support costs'? The consolidation of channels... going back to 2 or 3 channels... I think this may have been thought of already though...
Perhaps it is prudent to redefine the main BBC1 and BBC2 channels, close BBC3, 4, CBBC and CBeebies and time stretch the content destined for BBC3, BBC4, CBBC and CBeebies across the BBC1 and 2 schedule and reduce the repeat schedule? e.g. the 1hr show you would have watched at 8pm on BBC3 could be shown at 11pm on BBC1. A PVR could record the show for you if this is an inconvenient time; or it is available on the iPlayer.
Careful planning and prioritisation of post-watershed programming and time-critical 'event' content would be required. So the 'PG' science documentary that would normally be shown at 9pm on BBC2 to catch the viewers who don't want to watch the 'original drama' on BBC1 might get bumped to midnight displacing an American TV movie or repeat from earlier in the week (that could have been recorded anyway). Now you can watch the documentary tomorrow on your PVR or the iPlayer. Better still the iPlayer will already give you the option to watch it now!
The CBBC channel could have a dedicated slot weekdays between 4pm and 7pm on BBC2 like it used to, and some variability at weekends. And where do you put CBeebies? This may be a difficult one to work so it may not be viable.
So with only 2 or 3 main HD/SD channels running the Beeb can save @50m on distribution but the content will still be produced, meeting the BBC's public service remit and keeping everyone happy.
Is this worth it? Or are there really not enough hours in the day? Perhaps cutting down to just 2 channels is too harsh so lets just cut one channel...
We should probably choose to cut one channel that is watched by modern, young, technically savvy viewers with a broadband connection to warrant this option...
I suspect the best option has already been chosen.
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Friday 14 March 2014 11:04AM
Moving BBC Three online is not an ideal way but is a more sensible way to save money compared to your proposal to eliminate televised local news, Briantist. BBC Three content will still be funded, produced and shown on BBC One or BBC Two and will be available online so no one will miss great new comedy etc.
If you want to see what will happen to BBC regional news if its funding is vastly reduced, just turn over to ITV. 'Thin and crispy' analysis and reporting at best and dominated by the largest conurbation in your region, which could be a hundred miles away or more.
Sure there are probably some regional news savings to be made but not by your proposed method.