All posts by Briantist
Below are all of Briantist's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Viv: It's not 4G, that's for sure. The places with it are listed here Do not forget that 4G starting soon in 20 cities and towns really soon | 4G-at-800 | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice
If you're not on the list, there is no 4G.
Have you made a visual inspection of your TV aerial? They can be as damaged by hot weather as wind.
| link to this comment |
Alec: Probably because Enniskillen is in the "where the aerial is above ground-floor level" area?
| link to this comment |
spencer: The FM switch off timetable is going to be announced at the end of this year. You will probably have until between 2019 and 2025 to switch, depending on where you drive.
It is probable that FM switch off in the South East of England earliest, remote Scotland and Wales last.
| link to this comment |
@Roger Martlew: Thank you for your comments.
You said "Increasingly the programmes appear to be made the BBC that can be sold worldwide are funded in partnership with foreign broadcasters", but I'm not sure if this is the case. For example. the long-standing relationship - since 1998 - with Discovery Inc will come to an end in 2014.
Discovery to end BBC tie-up | News | Broadcast
Jana Bennett arguing it provided "exceptional value for licence fee payers", it is thought to be worth around £35m a year.
You also said "Many documentaries are made in conjunction with the Open University, or commissioned by the BBC from private studios"
This is true. This has been the case since the introduction of "Producers Choice" back in 1995.
You also said "There are also intellectual rights to the programme format that may be involved.", but again, how does this change over time?
You said "there is no doubt a sale from BBC UK to BBC Worldwide up front and Mark Thompson may have himself demanded better up front fees".
This is entirely false. BBC Worldwide has the exclusive rights to the resale of BBC programmes. The BBC receives the profit from BBC Worldwide's operations, not fees.
I think your final point rather agrees with the main thrust of my argument: BBC Worldwide is not open to scrutity from outside, so we can't know if it being run well.
| link to this comment |
MikeB: Thanks you for your very considered response.
I've responded to Roger Martlew above.
Looking at your specific points: firstly, on the matter of using RPI. Of course, it can be argued that RPI isn't the best measure in a specific industry.
If you are arguing that there has been greater inflation (as I think you are) then this has two effects. Firstly, it makes the profits been made today smaller by comparison to the past, which makes the situation today much worse.
And, of course, this doesn't affect the percentage profit figures, which will stay the same.
I agree with your second point, which BBC Worldwide does more than resell stuff made already by BBC UK. They have a diagram in their annual report [1], thus
You can see the figures in the accounts [2]
So, Channels made a profit of 13.0%, Sales and Distribution 25.4%, Consumer Products 21.4%, Content and Production 8.0%.
Global Brands a LOSS of 18.6%
Channels: Offers a global showcase for the best of British television via a portfolio of 34 international, BBC-branded TV channels and the pilot of the Global BBC iPlayer. A further 10 channels - the UKTV portfolio - operate in the UK through a joint venture with Scripps Networks Interactive. The business also manages affiliate sales for BBC World News.
Sales & Distribution: The largest distributor of finished TV programmes outside the US studios with a sales team present in 11 global offices serving over 200 territories. Distributes BBC Worldwide catalogue of high quality content to over 700 international broadcasters and digital platforms
Consumer Products: Global producer and distributor of TV-based packaged media. Encompasses video (including DVD, Blu-ray and download-to-own (DTO)), licensed merchandise, music, book and audio publishing partnerships. Also the home of BBCShop.com.
Global Brands: Enhances the long-term value of BBC Worldwide major brands, creates closer consumer engagement, and identifies and cultivates emerging businesses such as Live Entertainment and Digital Entertainment & Games
Content & Production: Develops, commissions and acquires content for all BBC Worldwide businesses. Runs a global network of production studios and manages the slate of output, equity and partnership deals with the indie sector as well as the primary relationship with BBC production. Also provides expertise to producers, bringing together interested investors to enable projects to come to fruition.
[1] http://www.bbcworldwide.c….pdf
[2] http://www.bbcworldwide.c….pdf
Continues....
| link to this comment |
MikeB: You point made about BBC Worldwide buying and commissioning non-BBC programmes is also fair. In reponsobe, I ask: Why is BBC Worldwide doing this if it can't make at least 20% profit on such ventures. BBC Worldwide doesn't exists for ANY OTHER PURPOSE than to make money for BBC UK.
If it's not making a good profit, then it's just a "BBC Management plaything" to which I object in the strongest possible terms.
Your point about "record spending" is rebuffed by point back to your initial comment about RPI. These amounts are only record in cash terms, they are not records in real terms.
I'm not objecting to the BBC buying up brands or anything of that nature. I just want to see a return of 15% profits of more. That's all.
Your "third thing" about "Currency rates, the state of the economy" is valid. However, the "boom years" were 2001-2008, and the "crash and austerity" from 2008-2012. This doesn't march up with anything on the graphs at all.
I already mentioned in my comments to Graham Hall about BBC Worldwide not being able to borrow to invest.
I also agree that the BBC payoffs were "stupid", but I worry that they will do harm.
You can argue that the clash between the BBC Trust and BBC Management is WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.
I remember having a joke with the BBC's Nick Higham Nick Higham (highamnews) on Twitter - up at Edinburgh that he was the "flagellator in chief", when the BBC was in the middle of another "scandal".
I'm not sure if Ofcom wants to "take over" the BBC. I'm going there next week to a Q-and-A with Mr Ed Richards, so I will see if I can ask them.
I must say that I am being critical of the BBC at this point because I wish to see it sort itself out, not because I wish it harm.
| link to this comment |
Keef: There isn't a wavelength to tune to - Saddleworth Radio | Playing The Greatest Tunes Of All Time .
| link to this comment |
Joe: I suggest you have a look at the Freeview reception has changed? | Freeview Interference | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice page.
| link to this comment |
Friday 6 September 2013 9:36PM
Stuart Owens: Sorry, yes, I added in the groups - Do you need faster radio transmitter maps? See UK Free TV | About UK Free TV | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice - people told me this page was too slow...