RE: How does the BBC work? (was Jazz)

From: Kerr, Jim (jkerr@hbase.com)
Date: Wed Jan 10 2001 - 16:57:50 CET

  • Next message: Kerr, Jim: "Gilles P on telly (UK TV viewers only ;) )"

    Here are random thoughts:

    2 channels, BBC 1 and BBC 2, are sort of government funded (but not in a way
    that allows govt to exert direct control in the way of State TV in Eastern
    Bloc countries).
    Simply put, it works like this: if you own a TV you pay a license fee and
    that covers the cost of BBC programming. So the most noticeable difference
    to US telly is that there are 2 whole channels with absolutely no
    advertising. It's quite blissful to come back and watch after a prolonged
    period in the US, I can tell you.

    BBC 2 tends to be a the most highbrow of the 5 terrestrial stations.
     
    BBC 1 has a reputation for 'quality' PBS-type programming. You will notice
    that most of your PBS costume dramas are co-produced by PBS stations and the
    BBC, though in more recent years both BBC 1 and 2 have had to broaden the
    appeal of their programming so you can now expect to see mainstream game
    show type shlock at some time on most evenings and I guess the most popular
    BBC 1 show is the gritty soap Eastenders.

    There are 3 independent channels - ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. ITV is
    traditionally more populist than both BBC channels. It was the channel that
    gave us all Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

    Channel 4 started some 15 years ago with a remit to provide quality
    independent TV. It has a reputation for more multicultural and cutting edge
    programming; a lot of successful independent British films have received
    some degree of Channel 4 financing.

    Channel 5 - launched just a few years ago - is simply tabloid TV.

    We are on the threshold of a new TV age with now a significant number of
    people with cable or satellite TV - primarily the Murdoch Sky Channels which
    have been buying up exclusive rights to show sporting events of interest to
    the British public at an alarming rate - and now digital TV.

    At the moment there is a lot of hand-wringing in the broadsheet newspapers
    about whether the massive expansion in the number of channels which will be
    available to digital TV subscribers (and we will certainly be in a US-type
    situation where hundreds of specialist domestic as well as foreign channels
    become available) is driving quality down.

    Don't ask me - I gave up watching years ago. Radio is much more interesting.

    Oh, and if anyone from the BBC happens to bump into this posting:

    WORLDWIDE AT A SENSIBLE HOUR AND NORMAN JAY AND ROSS ALLEN TO DO THE
    SATURDAY NIGHT 8 TILL 12 SLOTS PLEASE!

    Jim

    -----Original Message-----
    From: stephanie [mailto:nnine@yahoo.com]
    Sent: 10 January 2001 15:14
    To: ajlist
    Subject: How does the BBC work? (was Jazz)

    Can anyone across the pond over there explain a bit
    about how European tv, specifically British tv, works?
     I know it's a completely different system with fewer
    chanels, but government funded, with what's generally
    considered to be better programming. A German friend
    of mine says the programming that would be comparable
    to public tc and radio over here is much for
    up-to-date and experimental, less stuffy. I assume
    the questions about commercialization v/s gov't
    control are very different under a system like that.

    What do you think of that system? How does it work?
    strengths and weaknesses? i know that's a lot of
    questions, but i dont' need a thesis, just some
    general impressions. =)

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