Wednesday 20 October 2010, PM
Michael Crick: Background to the BBC settlement
When a Newsnight colleague tested this idea with a senior minister several days later - ie. less than two weeks ago - he was surprised to be told that the BBC itself had actually proposed the idea, but it had subsequently been rejected. Why should the BBC suggest an idea which would only add a huge extra burden to BBC budgets Far better for the BBC to come up with a way for the corporation to contribute its bit to the Spending Review process than have something far worse imposed from above. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.uk
BBC cuts in licence fee deal brutal but realistic, say corporation executives | Media | guardian.co.uk
Events moved so fast in the last 48 hours that only the corporation's most senior executives knew what was in train and as the news leaked late yesterday, even controllers of BBC services at the Radio Festival in Salford looked shellshocked. As the initial shock began to subside, BBC executives began to focus on the six-year guarantee for the licence fee, despite being frozen at the current level of 145.50 annually. The BBC's funding is being cut by 16 in real terms. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukS4C seeks judicial review of BBC merger | Media | guardian.co.uk
John Walter Jones said the government had shown 'contempt' towards S4C. The S4C Authority faces extinction if the government plan is implemented. The deal will see S4C's budget for next year fall by just over 10 to 90m. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukBBC will have to cut 140m a year after licence freeze | Media | guardian.co.uk
A senior source at the corporation said a reduction of 4 a year for the life of the new licence fee settlement, which will run until 2017, will be enough to meet the combined annual cost of about 560m. The senior source pointed out the BBC is already making yearly efficiency savings of 3 a year, mainly by pushing ahead with a long-term plan to reduce overheads from 22 to 10. The cumulative effect of the 4 annual cuts with 140m saved each year from April 2011 will mean no channels or services have to be axed. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukBBC Trust - licence fee settlement
Please visit the BBC Trust homepage to find the information you want. you may have typed the web address incorrectly - please check the spelling, or that there are no spaces or capital letters. Alternatively, please try the other links and search box on this page. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.uk
Most newspapers ignore the BBCs 16% funding cut | Media | guardian.co.uk
The Financial Times carried a page one story, while the Daily Telegraph and The Times published only front page cross-refs. None of them carried leading articles or commentaries by columnists though the story did break late in the day. The Daily Mail's page 4 news story was very straight, eschewing any hint of glee following its long-term assault on the corporation. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukWednesday 20 October 2010, AM
Analogue End for North of Scotland
The last analogue television signals in the STV North region have been switched off, marking the start of an all-digital era. Help with the switchover is available online, here, and by telephone 08456 50 50 50. - allmediascotland.comwww.allmediascotland.com
Television licence fee to be frozen for next six years
All the changes mean a 16 real terms cut in BBC funds over six years. The arrangement was to freeze the licence fee for the next six years, he added. BBC Alba - the Scottish Gaelic language service - is funded by the corporation in partnership with the Scottish government. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukBBC licence fee to be frozen under tough new settlement -UK Politics, UK - The Independent
The corporation's budget will take a huge 16 per cent cut in real terms as a result of the deal hammered out with the Treasury, which will see the licence fee remain at 145.50 until 2016. Mark Thompson, the BBC's director general, also agreed to provide an additional 150m a year to fund the roll-out of broadband in rural areas from 2013, while an extra 25m will go on local television and online services. The corporation also agreed to a 25 per cent reduction in spending on its website and will dispose of many of its magazines as part of a government plan to reduce its impact on other media outlets. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.ukNick Robinsons Newslog: Carry on broadcasting
In the space of 24 hours the government has gone from proposing a plan that would have cut the BBC's budget by over a quarter to freezing the licence fee for six years, which, combined with additional costs, amounts to a 16 real terms cut in funding. Trust members argued the move would turn the BBC into an arm of the welfare state and undermine its independence. Discussions ended with all-night consideration of a package that the corporation decided would be tough, but would preserve its size and scope and guarantee its finances until after the next election. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukTuesday 19 October 2010, PM
Nick Robinsons Newslog: BBC funding future
The BBC licence fee is to be frozen for the next six years at 145.50. It will mean a 16 real-terms cut in the BBC's funds over the next six years as against a 25 cut over four. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukMichael Crick: World Service costs to come from licence fee
This will come into effect with the next licence fee settlement due in 2012. I am told today's deal was not linked to last night's story about free TV licences. Two deals were on the table - the BBC paying for the over-75s and paying for the World Service. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukBBC licence fee frozen at 145.50 for six years | Media | guardian.co.uk
BBC executives have staved off the threat of being forced to take on the 556m a year funding of free TV licences for the over-75s, but at a heavy price. In addition it will provide 150m a year for the rollout of superfast broadband to rural areas from 2013 and 25m a year for local TV and online content. A further one-off capital investment in local TV and online services of 25m will also come from the licence fee and the BBC will also underwrite the rollout of the digital radio network nationally. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukBBC offers to pay for World Service to avoid licence fee raid | Media | guardian.co.uk
Mark Thompson willing to pay some or all of 300m annual costs of running the World Service. That would be an alternative to making the BBC pay out 556m to fund the costs of free television licences for anywhere home to an elderly person a bill that may force existing television and radio budgets to be slashed. By contrast, if the BBC were forced to fund the cost of free TV licences for the elderly there would be no benefit for most viewers on screen or on air. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukBBC funding cannot escape George Osbornes cuts | Media | guardian.co.uk
Jeremy Hunt wants the BBC to take its share of the painful spending cuts. So we are left with a frankly surreal public spending choice an aircraft carrier with no aircraft, or the equivalent of several years' funding for BBC2. It was March last year when David Cameron, then leader of the opposition, first started talking publicly about freezing the BBC licence fee, an idea that prompted squeals of protest from the corporation. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukBBC warns Government over free licence fee funding -TV Radio, Media - The Independent
The BBC Trust warned the Government today it would fight any move to force it to meet the cost of free television licences for the over-75s. BBC2's Newsnight said the proposal was for the bill - which is rising rapidly as the population ages - to be transferred from the time of the next licence fee settlement, due in 2012. Increases in the licence fee were unlikely to cover the cost, it said, which were the equivalent of a 26 real-terms cut in the BBC's present budget. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.ukNokia launches DAB headset
- radiotoday.co.ukAnnouncing Radioplayer
The fact that we're showing our 'work in progress' to the great and the good of the radio industry speaks volumes about the spirit behind this project. It's amazing that such a game-changing initiative has attracted widespread support from across radio - an industry not always noted for its unanimity. This is largely down to the spirit in which we've approached the project - which in itself was largely invented 'on the hoof'. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukBBC Internet Blog: Net Neutrality and the BBC
It is very easy to take the internet for granted. For many of us, it has become an integral part of our lives. It has transformed how we work, communicate, access media, and contribute to debate. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukTuesday 19 October 2010, AM
UK regulator will not probe Project Canvas TV plan| Reuters
The project also involves creating technical standards which can be used by participating services to deliver content via a single set-top box, which will be branded YouView. Ofcom said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the YouView project. - reuters.comwww.reuters.comBBC - Help receiving TV and radio - Satellite frequencies of BBC channels
To receive digital TV via satellite but not through Freesat or Sky, you need to tune your equipment to the correct frequencies yourself. If you have lost any BBC channels and have a Freesat box, you may need to turn it off then on again to make it perform a retune. It is expected that Astra 2E will launch around the middle of 2013. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukBBC fears Coalition licence fee raid | Media | The Guardian
BBC concerned over government plans to pass on cost for free TV licences for the over 75s. Photograph Graeme Robertson BBC bosses fear that the coalition government is gearing up for a 500m-plus raid on the licence fee, by forcing the broadcaster to meet the full cost of free television licences for the over 75s. The benefit which was introduced by Gordon Brown when he was chancellor costs 556m, and is currently paid for out of general taxation. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukMichael Crick: BBC may have to pay for pensioners free TV licences
With fewer than 48 hours to go, details of the Spending Review are far from settled and the BBC could be a victim. This would take effect from the time of the next licence fee settlement, due in 2012. The level of the TV licence would be increased as a result, but probably by no means enough to make up for the full 556m cost. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukYouView opens up prospects for multicast
One of the problems that YouView has faced is that no-one seems to understand how it will work, an issue intensified until recently by lack of technical detail. Almost everyone knows of YouView and Project Canvas but it actually turns out that very few people know very much about what it is, he said. So what exactly is YouView, beyond a blending of broadcast and broadband - informitv.cominformitv.comSwitchover roadshow rolls in to town - Jersey News, Jersey Local News, Jersey Latest News, News In Jersey - channelonlin
With just one month to go until the switch to digital television, islanders are being given the chance to get extra advice on how to prepare. The national switchover team is bringing its roadshow to Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney this week. The team will be offering practical advice on how to get set for digital and giving details of the Switchover Help Scheme for older and disabled people. - channelonline.tvwww.channelonline.tv
STV boss Hain defends station's scheduling policy
Managing Director Bobby Hain insisted ratings were in line with ITV as a whole and that the station's strategy was the right one. He added that more than 95 of STV's peaktime schedule was made up of ITV network content. Although Freeview users in Scotland are unable to watch such programmes, those with satellite and cable can view them on ITV1 London. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukSeptember BBC iPlayer monthly performance pack
This corresponded with the new autumn schedules, and the re-launch of BBC iPlayer. On radio, Radio 5Live's coverage of Switzerland v England football match was the most-requested programme of the month. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukBBC Radio Blog: Launching HD Sound
Listeners are currently very satisfied with radio services but digital technology does bring opportunities to keep improving what we offer. This summer, BBC Radio 3 completed a trial of a higher quality online audio stream at the Proms. We will quickly assess the performance of this before making the higher quality stream available on iPlayer and the proposed radio industry player called Radioplayer. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.uk
BBC to launch HD Sound | News | Broadcast
It takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.ukwww.broadcastnow.co.ukMonday 18 October 2010, AM
Ofcom reforms end years of hyperactivity | Media | The Guardian
The cutbacks to Ofcom's duties, including a formal end to automatic reviews of public service television every five years, bring to an end an era of hyperactivity. Yet for all this work, few of its recommendations have been implemented. The first of its reviews, in 2005, predicted that commercially funded public service broadcasting, from regional programmes to children's, would not survive the transition to a fully digital world. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukGreg Dyke: Ive got a lot of time for Jeremy Hunt | Media | The Guardian
So why is Greg Dyke sitting in a damp cellar talking about the highlight of his business career, 1991 Yet as the 63-year-old pokes his head around an ancient vault below a Mayfair hotel, it's hard to feel disappointed. Dyke blames a man who took legal action last year over comments he made in another newspaper. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukSaturday 16 October 2010, AM
Chile miners rescue puts BBC ahead of Sky | Latest technology and web news | Web User
It attracted over 16 per cent of all traffic from searches for the rescue, way ahead of the Guardian.co.uk in second place which received just over six per cent, according to web analytics firm Hitwise. Wikipedia, Facebook and YouTube all received more traffic than Sky News which sat in 11th place and had just 1.2 per cent of traffic. News channels were dominated by coverage of the Chile miners rescue on Wednesday as the 33 miners who had been trapped in the mine for 69 days were hoisted to safety. 'BBC chile miners' was the tenth most-popular search term with 'sky news chile miners' in 20th, according to Hitwise. - webuser.co.ukwww.webuser.co.ukJames Murdochs call to Vince Cable on day of BSkyB bid | Media | The Guardian
James Murdoch called Vince Cable on day of the BSkyB bid. The conversation took place on the day News Corp made a bid for BSkyB. Cable will decide within weeks whether to approve News Corp's offer to buy the 61 of the pay-TV company it does not already own. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukChilly outlook forecast for the BBCs weathermen | UK news | The Guardian
Within hours of the news that three BBC weather presenters had been moved to backroom jobs in cost-cutting measures still unconfirmed yesterday by the Met Office internet boards were fizzing with outrage. Philip Avery and Tomasz Schafernaker were also said to be moving behind thescenes. John Teather, who oversaw the BBC's weather output for 30 years, says good broadcasters are hard to find. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.uk
Loach launches attack on TV executives -TV Radio, Media - The Independent
It takes 1m to get them out of the door ... but nevertheless they're on their way, great, good riddance. We nowhere near realise its potential and we really have to cherish the medium, work together, just build it better and we can, we can, but not if we're in the grip of this machine. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.uk
The man behind Skins hops channels as new BBC1 controller -TV Radio, Media - The Independent
Danny Cohen, 36, leaves as head of BBC3 to take over the nation's most watched channel where he will oversee a 1.1bn budget, more than 10 times the 100m he had to spend at the digital channel. Even his delight in Dickens, whose novels were the 19th-century equivalent of documentaries lifting the lid on social scandals, is suggestive of a taste for the suffering end of human drama. The Blood Sweat and Takeaways documentary, in which six young people travelled to Indonesia to join the tuna trade won the coveted Rose d'Or award for best reality and factual entertainment. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.ukBBC slashes senior managers pay -TV Radio, Media - The Independent
The BBC has cut the amount it pays senior managers by more than 10, the corporation said today. Figures show the number of senior managers has dropped from 639 to 592 and the paybill has fallen by 12.2. They also show top BBC executives claim an average of 445 a month in expenses - around 100 less than a year ago. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.ukWill YouView be a hit? | News | TechRadar UK
YouView is hoping to do for television through your broadband connection what Freeview did for digital television, and bring video on demand to the masses. - techradar.comwww.techradar.comFriday 15 October 2010, PM
Frontrunners for BBC3 controller emerge | Media | guardian.co.uk
Cohen had been hotly tipped to step into the role vacated by Jay Hunt, who left to take the new role of chief creative officer at Channel 4 and it is understood that a shortlist of candidates is already in circulation. To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editormediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukBBC3 chief to take over at BBC1 -TV Radio, Media - The Independent
- www.independent.co.ukKen Loach: TV is the enemy of creativity | Television radio | The Guardian
The director, who first joined the BBC 47 years ago and made plays such as Cathy Come Home, launched an excoriating attack on the culture of television today. Loach said he had been around a long time. Loach said filmgoers today, whether watching at the cinema or on TV, had a raw deal and got what they were given by a Hollywood-dominated industry. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukDanny Cohen named BBC1 controller | Media | guardian.co.uk
Cohen, currently controller of BBC3, had been widely touted for the role following incumbent Jay Hunt moving to take the newly created role of chief creative officer at Channel 4. He has been in charge of BBC3 and its 100m budget since May 2007, and will now be in charge of the country's most popular TV channel with a budget of 1.13bn. Cohen will be paid slightly less than his predecessor Jay Hunt. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukGovernment pulls plug on Teachers TV | Media | guardian.co.uk
The Department for Education has pulled the plug on Teachers TV, the online training site for British schoolteachers. Ten Alps, which co-owns the site with ITN, said in a stock exchange announcement this morning that the government is cancelling the 10m annual contract from April 2011. Connock said he hoped the website would survive. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukFriday 15 October 2010, AM
Media Talk: Bye bye, Mark Byford
download.guardian.co.uk
Clouds in Skys deal - mirror.co.uk
For an individual who doesn't live or pay taxes here to have such a hold over our media and public life, with the ability to crush rival voices, is bad for democracy and commercially uncompetitive. We believe Mr Murdoch has the right in a free world to say and think what he likes. He correctly points out his American outfits are rare beacons of Right wing views in the left-of-centre US media. - mirror.co.ukwww.mirror.co.ukJob losses at Five to continue with Kaplinsky departure -TV Radio, Media - The Independent
The newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky is to leave Five in December, the channel announced yesterday, bringing to an end the multimillion-pound deal which made her Britain's highest-paid current-affairs presenter. The 38-year-old, who recently returned to her on-screen role after maternity leave, had been due to renegotiate her contract at the end of the year, but the television channel, which was bought by the newspaper owner Richard Desmond this summer, said that both parties had agreed not to renew the deal by mutual agreement. Her time with the channel was punctuated by two periods of maternity leave following the births of her children, and in February 2009, she took a 300,000 pay cut in return for dropping the 7pm bulletin from her duties. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.ukAnthony Rose Talks YouView in London - StreamingMedia.com
In the 45-minute speech, Rosewho played an instrumental role in the BBC iPlayer's launch and significant growthsaid viewing models are rapidly converging. He spoke of changes to the market in both desktop and living room consumption of video. Still, these devices have grown in popularity, and there will be several million Internet-enabled TV in UK homes by year's end. - streamingmedia.comwww.streamingmedia.comThursday 14 October 2010, PM
BT Vision app for connected TVs on the way? - Pocket-lint
And, indeed, that it is improving the service all the time. Recently, it has adopted the standard definition versions of Sky Sports 1 and 2, a move that has helped rise the number of households with the service's set-top-box to over 450,000. I think anything that means that we can get Vision to customers at high quality is on the table as an option. - pocket-lint.comwww.pocket-lint.comS4C claims 40% budget cut would call into question future of channel | Media | guardian.co.uk
S4C has today published a bleak 28-page response to the Department of Media, Culture and Sport in which it outlines the impact of cuts of either 25 or 40 to its 100m-a-year funding with potential ramifications including having to switch the service off for several hours a day. The knock-on effects of such cuts would be the loss of 500 to 800 jobs in the production sector in Wales and beyond, it added. The programming budget would fall from 83m to 62m in 2014. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.uk
BSkyB in last-ditch attempt to scramble YouView video-on-demand player - Telegraph
BSkyB is reported to have questioned the need to inject public money into the project when, it believes, there is currently sufficient competition in the internet-enabled television IPTV market. Concerns are thought to have been raised about the difficulty the consortium poses to new, smaller players in the video-on-demand market. YouView will provide IPTV, giving seven million Freeview households who have broadband access to download thousands of hours of programming to their televisions. - telegraph.co.ukwww.telegraph.co.ukpick a page