Thank Heavens for the BBC - ITV Chiefs have a 'Ratner moment'

[Zeuhl]

Even the Chairman admits that commercial television in the form of ITV is:

"driven to look for mass audiences, so it in a sense drives us to the lowest common denominator."

He referred to the broadcaster being stuck in a "ratings rat race". "We need to be able to move away from the ratings rat race we are caught in," the former Asda boss and Tory MP said. "We are driven to look for mass audiences, so it in a sense drives us to the lowest common denominator."

Chief Exec Adam Crozier admitted to a "remarkable lack of diversity" in ITV1's schedule

"Not chasing audiences would open up things like the arts, like more drama, like more factual programming."

http://www.guardian.c...crozier-archie-norman

Are we not fortunate to have diversity and quality provided by our Public Service broadcaster for just £145 a year.

Hip Hip ......

[jackthehat]

oooooooooo

Just wait 'til Rebel Souls reads this..............;o)

[chelle7272]

perhaps you should post a FAO Rebel Souls....;-)

[Zeuhl]

I'm sure I don't know what you mean!
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[craft1948]

Would that be the Labour loving, politically divisive BBC, or is there a different one?

[jno]

it is an extraordinary bargain, though I admit I had hoped it would come down to £142.70 after Jonathan Ross left.

[Loosehead]

Yes the BBC is shining beacon in the otherwise poor area of TV. The BBC is the envy of the world. The licence fee is one of the "taxes" I'm more than happy to pay. I do sometimes think they err on the left of things but overall I'd rather have them than not. For less than 10 shillings a day it's a bargain.

[Zeuhl]

In what way craft?
compared with whom?
how specifically?

what is your empiric evidence or are these just vague generalisations?
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[Zeuhl]

quite right jno

drop a lighting rig on Graham Norton and pension off Brucie and they could get it down to £139.99
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[craft1948]

lol just vague generalisations bound to provoke a reaction.....

[Loosehead]

I think craft has a point they did give an easy ride to Bliar and the project. They do have presenters who find it impossible to be impartial, Blair apologist Paxman for example, so they have work to do but on the whole, I'd rather have them than not.

They do also tend to hire a few "mysteries" - ie it's a mystery to me what talent they demonstrate but hey ho anywhere is like that!

[jno]

the BBC that lost a director general for daring to suggest the Labour government's WMD documents were sexed up? The BBC whose current DG has just gone on his knees to the coalition to agree that the licence fee will be frozen for six years?

Bunch ot Tories.

[Davethedog]

I couldn't agree more - When I look at prgrames such as Coast no one else would have made it, Yet what a fantastic show. Things like question time, antiques road show etc worth every penny.

I have nk doubt someone will ve along to attack you very soon 80D

[jake-the-peg]

I think the South Bank Show got canned this year didn't it?

The last vestigage of anything more intellectual on ITV down the pan.

Personally I like ITV like that - it serves as a constant reminder what would happen to the BBC if RS got his way and market forces ruled the roost what we'd loose

[Davethedog]

A point on the political angle I have though that they are very fair. Its just when the Tories feel that they are hard done by they shout loudest because the rest of the media is so pro-tory, but of course we never hear about that do we?

I have always thought the beeb leans right.

[anotheoldgit]

/// I have always thought the beeb leans right ///

Then why do you all go out your way to support it?

You can't all be Tories.

[Davethedog]

Thats very short sighted don't you think. The BBC is the esablishment but it isn't just politics its much more that that. Its programmes are beyond compare at least in this country.

I don't like soap operas and I don't watch kids shows but should I say they shouldn't be shown because I don't watch them.

The BBC has a free voice and is a national treasure and as others have said its uniquie funding enables it to make shows no one else will.

[Zeuhl]

Perceptions of political bias are interesting aren't they?

I thought during Iraq-gate, Kelly and all that - that the Beeb were most likely to stand up to Campbell's thuggishness and were often on the receiving end of Govt annoyance with them asking awkward questions about WMD, sexed up documents etc
.

[Davethedog]

That a very good point if it wasn't for the BBC and that Panorama programme would David Kelly ever got a public enquiry?

[WShee9]

Very interesting Zeuhl and Jno....pity no-one believes you...

[Zeuhl]

W Sheep

And what makes you think that?

Other than your own fevered imagination?
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