The now-Gradeless BBC Trust, the regulatory body that will replace the current board of Governors, doesn’t even take over until Juanuary and already it’s creating paperwork. Today, they have relased the first drafts of a series of Service Licences for each channel. The idea is that each TV, radio or online channel that the BBC currently operates will have its own document giving an overall idea of the channel’s aims and objectives. Any future changes will be subject to a formal review process, to ensure that the changes stick to the BBC’s public service ethos.
You can read any, or all, of the BBC’s TV-related service licences from the BBC Trust website. Reading them side-by-side gives a clue as to how the BBC views the differences between its four main channels, which isn’t always obvious from watching them:
All channels are briefed to “exhibit some or all of the following characteristics: high quality, original, challenging, innovative and engaging, and [nurturing] UK talent.”
BBC 1 should “deliver its remit through high quality programmes with wide appeal across all genres”. It should also “be the BBC’s main platform for television drama and, especially in peaktime, drama should be one of the biggest creators of BBC’s One’s impact with its audience.”
BBC 2 should “deliver its remit with factual programming that broadens horizons.”. Its comedy output “should offer established talent the opportunity to experiment and its drama should be characterised by strong authorship and individual voices.”
BBC 3 should broadcast “a high proportion of original UK-produced content across a range of genres, and by taking creative risks and experimenting with new talent and new ideas, in particular in the area of UK comedy.” It should work to increase the appeal of BBC1 and BBC2 with younger audiences, with complementary content. None of its commitments should be allowed to get in the away of BBC1 and BBC2 to appeal to young people, and any of its programmes should be made available to the major channels to enhance their appeal.
BBC 4 should offer “a broad range of culturally enriching and innovative programming”, with an emphasis on global news and current affairs. It should also “offer a significant proportion of originally commissioned, UK originated programming, nurture new presenting talent and experiment with new comedy.”
Some additional conditions for each channel, after the jump.
BBC 1:
- At least 90 hours of current affairs programmes, at least 48.5 hours of which will be in peak time. Panorama should continue in its present Sunday night slot and should also feature eight peak-time specials. (TV Today note: We know Panorama’s going to be moving to Monday evenings already, but this document represents the BBC as at 1 January 2007, where it’s still on Sunday nights).
- At least 45 hours of music and arts programmes each year
- Broadcast 650 hours of new factual programmes, including science, natural history and educational programmes
- Share a commitment with BBC2 to offer at least 500 hours of children’s programmes each year BBC One should:
- Broadcast at least 80 hours of religious programming each year (as part of 112 hours across both BBC One and BBC Two)
- Broadcast 260 hours of sports programmes each year
BBC 2:
- Broadcast 500 new hours of factual programmes each year
- Share a commitment with BBC One to offer at least 500 hours of children’s programming each year
- Broadcast at least 200 hours of arts and music programming each year
- Broadcast at least 100 hours of news each year
- Broadcast at least 240 hours of current affairs each year
- Broadcast 430 hours of sport each year
- Broadcast at least 20 hours of religious programmes each year (aspart of 112 hours across both BBC One and BBC Two)
BBC 3:
- Provide at least 50 hours of new music and arts programmes each year
- Ensure that at least 20% of output is supported interactively each year
- Broadcast at least 50 hours of new factual, knowledge-building programmes each year
- Broadcast at least 15 hours of new current affairs programmes each year
- Ensure that around 15% of hours broadcast will be news, current affairs, education, music and the arts
BBC 4:
- Broadcast at least 30 new documentaries from around the world each year
- Premiere at least 20 new international film titles each year
Conclusion
Most of the information in the new service licences has already existed in numerous places, but this new structure makes keeping track of it all the easier. I must admit I found myself shocked by how little music and arts coverage BBC One has to commit to — but the 500 hours of children’s programming is in stark contrast to ITV, which this year has all but eliminated kids’ telly from the ITV1 schedule.
BBC3 still comes off as the channel most likely to fall between two stools, with any of its successes able to be whisked off at any time for the big boys of BBCs 1 and 2, and the rather nebulous demand that it shouldn’t impinge on its big brothers’ appeal to the nation’s youth.
But maybe, as the ambiguous comments over Panorama show, this is just rehashing the elements that already exist in print. And maybe the best way forward is to map out where you are first.
