Audience Council Review 2010/11 Scotland

a 01 Foreword by the 13 BBC performance in Scotland 22 Audience Council for Scotland National Trustee against Public Purposes 23 Contacts 02 Review of Audience Council 20 Key priorities for next year Priorities 2010/11

“A year of significant progress for the BBC in Scotland saw benefits for audiences ranging from improvements in transmission of BBC Radio Scotland on the A9 to approval by the Trust of the carriage of BBC ALBA on Freeview.” Bill Matthews, Audience Council Chair and National Trustee

Cover image Getting the best out of the BBC for licence fee payers across Scotland and the rest of the UK. Cover picture shows the crowd at T in the Park – just one example of how the BBC engages directly each year with licence fee payers and audiences. Foreword by the National Trustee

The BBC Audience Councils advise the BBC Trust on how well the BBC is delivering its public purposes and serving licence fee payers across the United Kingdom. The four Councils – serving Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales – are supported by the Trust to provide an independent assessment of audience expectations and issues.

A review of news provision got under way and final recommendations will be made in the autumn. During the year, the Council consulted widely on issues that mattered to audiences. There was a particular emphasis on radio, with special reviews of BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal. There was comprehensive coverage of the severe winter weather, and it has been a strong year for new drama and comedy from BBC Scotland. Priorities identified for audiences in Scotland include maintaining the level of originations on BBC ALBA, and seeking an appropriate balance of coverage in BBC news for audiences in Scotland. In December 2010 Jeremy Peat completed a distinguished term as the BBC’s first Trustee for Scotland, one which saw a rapid expansion in the amount of network TV made in Scotland, and the establishment of BBC ALBA. In the year ahead, the Council will continue to work to ensure that the BBC delivers its public purposes for licence fee payers in Scotland.

Bill Matthews Audience Council Chair and National Trustee

1 Review of Audience Council Priorities 2010/11

Universality of access There has been significant progress on In 2009/10, Councils noted that many distribution issues during the year. Three licence fee payers throughout the UK could small FM transmitters were installed on only access some of the BBC offering, or sections of the A9 not served by BBC access it imperfectly, because the core speech radio. These came into service public services were not accessible on all in November 2010 so that BBC Radio platforms. In Scotland it was noted that Scotland can now be received along the there were significant shortfalls in universal length of the A9 with the exception of reception of network radio, including the a few small gaps. provision of BBC Radio Scotland along The Council had previously raised the the full length of the A9, and of DAB in a issue of BBC ALBA carriage on Freeview. number of areas especially in the north and In December, the Trust approved a west. It was proposed that the Executive be recommendation by the Executive asked to prepare a plan to achieve universal that BBC ALBA be carried on DTT in access to BBC services for audiences in Scotland, during the hours of BBC ALBA Scotland, bringing forward solutions to transmission, using the capacity currently individual problems where possible, while occupied by BBC Radio services. developing an overall strategic approach for the longer term.

1. Event on BBC Radio Scotland service review. 2. Event in Pacific Quay, Glasgow. 2 In its submission to the Trust on the review There was also a commitment to support of BBC ALBA in January 2010, the Council the promotion of broadband roll-out advised that the Executive be asked to bring and take-up through the £150million per forward a plan to ensure that radio listeners year ring fence within the new licence in Scotland could access all BBC services via fee settlement. at least one distribution platform. Delivering the Public Purposes In December, the BBC Strategy Review The Trust’s Purpose Remit Survey for noted the concerns raised by Audience 2010/11 showed improved audience Councils about access to BBC services, and perception of the delivery of some key said the BBC would ‘seek to ensure that public purposes, although significant gaps every household has convenient access remained for ‘portraying my nation or to each relevant BBC service, free at the community to the rest of the UK’, ‘catering point of use’. It set a target to maintain the for my culture or community’ and for ‘the reach of combined BBC services at more BBC has lots of fresh and new ideas’. than 90% of the population. This included measures to enhance DAB coverage across the UK and to evaluate options for improving the DAB coverage of BBC nations radio services.

3 Review of Audience Council Priorities 2010/11 continued

One of the most prominent issues to Content in the Nations and Regions emerge in 2009/10 concerned audience In 2009/10, the Council advised that the perceptions that the BBC could offer Trust ask the Executive to develop a more ‘fresh and new ideas’. The Council robust long-term strategy for television strongly welcomed the significant increase in drama for audiences in Scotland to increase innovative drama and entertainment from production, stimulate creativity, and BBC Scotland during 2010/11, from comedy broaden the range of drama portraying such as Limmy’s Show, Gary: Tank Commander Scotland to audiences there. and Burnistoun to drama like Lip Service and As noted above, the Council welcomed the highly successful new BBC Children in a significant increase in innovative drama Need format. and comedy from BBC Scotland during the In the Strategy Review, the BBC made year. Members felt that it was important a commitment to make its services that growth be maintained, and that there more distinctive, and the Trust will track remained scope for richer representation of audience perceptions of ‘creative and Scotland’s diverse cultures and communities editorial ambition’, looking in particular for on the networks, and in content for improvement in audience perceptions of audiences in Scotland. the distinctiveness of BBC One and BBC Two by the end of 2011.

4 Portrayal The BBC Strategy Review, published Following work by the Audience in December, noted that Councils had Councils, the Trust launched a joint raised concerns about whether the BBC project with the Executive in 2009/10 to is fulfilling its requirement to ‘represent the investigate ways in which the BBC might UK, its nations, regions and communities’ better portray the full diversity of the UK’s and agreed that the BBC should strive to nations and communities. provide a fair and accurate portrayal of all Work continued during 2010/11. parts of the audience across its output. It Responding to the Trust, the Executive made a commitment to improve the extent undertook work, the conclusions of to which BBC services resonate with all the which were consistent with the Council’s UK’s nations, regions and communities and advice that accuracy and authenticity in reflect the devolved nature of the UK and representation is a key element in audience the distinctive character of its constituent perception of quality. This insight is now parts. The BBC made a commitment to being used by the Executive to inform publish a clear statement about what the the programme commissioning process. BBC intends to offer audiences in Scotland The Executive will report annually on and the other nations of the UK. progress to the Trust’s Audiences and Performance Committee.

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1. Brian’s Big Debate at the Royal Highland Show. 2. Limmy’s Show. 3. Event on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal service review. 5 Review of Audience Council Priorities 2010/11 continued

Network production from Scotland News The Council monitors the plan to increase The Council welcomed the Trust’s BBC network TV production from outside comments on the Nations Impartiality of London on behalf of the Trust. The Review follow-up research published in July, BBC has undertaken to grow network TV and highlighted that there is more work production in Scotland to 6.1% of eligible to be done on enrichment of UK stories spend by 2012 and 8.6% by 2016. on the BBC networks with examples The Council welcomed unaudited from outside of London, and of the figures from the Executive indicating that representation of Scotland on BBC Radio 4. network TV production in Scotland in Responding to issues raised by the Council 2010 amounted to 7.4% of eligible spend, with the Trust, the Executive undertook a a figure in excess of the target set for review of news provision in Scotland. 2012. Members particularly welcomed the The Executive concluded that BBC increase in the amount of drama supplied news is performing well in Scotland, to the networks from Scotland. Members and made provisional recommendations stressed the importance of focusing subject to the efficiency savings required on the elements which would deliver following the licence fee settlement. These tangible improvements for audiences in include strengthening regional coverage Scotland, especially the improvement of and increasing the impact of current portrayal and cultural representation of affairs programming in Scotland, while Scotland in network output, and suggested continuing to improve the accuracy of that some of BBC Scotland’s innovative network news reports on Scottish affairs comedy output could be given network and developing a greater role for BBC transmissions. Scotland correspondents in network news programmes.

6 The Council submitted advice to the Trust. Review of Audience Council activity In the Council’s view, the Executive research The Council held audience events across demonstrated audience demand for Scotland, gathered the views of licence more Scottish news, and less coverage of payers and incorporated them into its ‘devolved’ matters as they affect England, as advice to the Trust. There were consultative part of an offering of UK and international events in Glasgow and Inverness on the news. Members believed that responding Strategy Review and BBC radio; events in to this would improve audience perceptions Edinburgh and Glasgow on BBC Radio 3 of how well the BBC reflects their local and 4, including one with younger listeners; interests, and would help deliver the BBC’s and meetings in Glasgow, Aberdeen and democratic purpose in Scotland. on the Isle of Lewis in connection with The review was considered by the Trust’s the reviews of BBC Radio Scotland and Audiences and Performance Committee, Radio nan Gàidheal. During the year, the which took account of the Council’s advice Council noted the Trust’s conclusions on in coming to its view. The Committee the review of BBC One, Two and Four, and noted the Executive’s conclusions and will on the BBC ALBA review, and submitted explore the issues in greater depth with responses to the BBC Strategy review, the the Council in the autumn. BBC Radio 3, 4 and 7 service review and the Nations Radio service review. Members also attended consultative events connected with the Trust’s impartiality review of the BBC’s coverage of science, and the BBC Executive review of news provision in Scotland.

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1. Event in Borve, Isle of Lewis. 2. Event in Pacific Quay, Glasgow. 3. Gary Tank Commander. 7 Review of Audience Council Priorities 2010/11 continued

BBC Strategy Review The Council was concerned that the The Council supported the BBC’s proposal strategy did not take sufficient account of to prioritise journalism, knowledge, music a lack of enthusiasm for switchover to DAB and culture, ambitious UK drama and in some sections of audience opinion, and comedy, children’s content and events suggested that the Executive be asked to that bring communities and the nation prepare a plan for distribution in Scotland, together. Members welcomed the including a long term strategy and responses Executive’s acknowledgement of ‘complex to individual issues relating to radio audience challenges’ in the nations, and the reception and the availability of BBC ALBA. commitment to improve the quality and The Council was concerned that the BBC impact of opt-out services for Scotland. should make a stronger offering for younger However it suggested that the Trust seek a audiences. It did not identify a public more detailed response from the Executive appetite for service closures, and believed addressing key elements of future strategy that BBC 6Music delivered significant from the perspective of Scottish audiences, public value. and addressing their key concerns. Members recommended that the key principle for distribution of BBC content should be access to that which offers the highest public value; that this would differ across the UK; and that there should be greater clarity on what this might mean in practical terms for distribution within Scotland.

8 BBC Radio 3, 4 and 7 Service Review In assessing BBC Radio 3’s performance Audience engagement suggested that in Scotland, Council considered factors listeners placed a high value on BBC Radio such as different cultural patterns, the level 3’s ability to broaden their awareness of the of Scottish content and the voice of the extent of the classical music repertoire, but station. Members believed that the network noted that listeners have varying degrees of might not be reaching all of its potential awareness, and concluded that the network audience in Scotland, and that there was was right to seek to satisfy listeners at scope for it to connect with audiences to a a range of levels, from those beginning greater extent than it currently does. It was to develop an interest in classical music, noted that the BBC’s investment in classical through to devotees and professionals. music in Scotland, especially Glasgow, is Council believed the balance struck by the considerable, and it was suggested that this station between providing a stimulating could perhaps be re-assessed and be better and challenging repertoire and offering aligned, to heighten the profile of BBC ‘points of entry’ for new listeners was about Radio 3 in Scotland. right: emphasis should be on continuing Audience engagement suggested that the current policy of reaching out to new BBC Radio 4 listeners were strongly audiences by inventive programming appreciative of the high quality of content, and presentation, while maintaining the including some specifically relating to network’s distinctive music policy. Scotland. However questions were raised about the volume and consistency of this provision, and there was some concern that the station did not have a genuine pan-UK perspective, but had a world- view rooted in the south of England.

1. Event in Aberdeen. 2. Trustee for Scotland, and Chair of the Audience Council for Scotland, at Glasgow event. 9 Review of Audience Council Priorities 2010/11 continued

It was noted that the Audience Councils’ Members concluded that although the monitoring exercise in 2010 had found network was strongly supportive of a variable picture: examples of good creativity, it could do more to reflect and practice were found but also cases where stimulate creativity across the whole of the perspectives from the devolved nations UK. Increasing commissioning activity in might have enhanced programmes, but Scotland would be a simple and effective the opportunity to include them had not way of achieving this. been taken. Nations radio service review Members noted that BBC Radio’s provision The council considered the performance of high-quality speech for audiences in of BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Scotland is shared, in the main, between nan Gàidheal against the public purposes. BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland. BBC Audiences were consulted about the Radio 4 drama and readings from Scotland range and quality of the news and current was noted as a consistently successful area. affairs content. However there was no common strategy between the two to cover ‘all the bases’ as far as the Scottish audience is concerned. For some, BBC Radio Scotland does not offer sufficient depth, while BBC Radio 4 – though offering quality – does not offer sufficient range.

1. Event on BBC Radio Scotland service review. 2. Trustee for Scotland in Aberdeen. 10 There was assessment of how well the Following an assessment of audience data stations reflected contemporary Scotland, and opinions, there was discussion of the coverage of local and national events, wider issues such as innovation and talent and the particular challenges which development, and, in the case of Radio nan portrayal of Scotland poses for each of the Gàidheal, the particular role of the station networks. Members again considered the in relation to the Gaelic language from the respective roles of BBC Radio Scotland perspective of speakers and learners. and BBC Radio 4 and concluded that the The Council made its submission in March two networks had distinct but essential and the results of the review will be roles, and that BBC Radio Scotland should published later in the year. therefore be resourced to deliver all the BBC’s public purposes through quality Other issues speech for an audience in Scotland. Members attended events relevant to the media sector in Scotland, monitored the There was consideration of music, arts, logs of audience comments made to the and entertainment on the two Scottish BBC, and considered audience research networks, and of the sports coverage undertaken by the BBC Trust and the which is an important element of both. BBC Executive. Members raised issues of concerns to audiences at their meetings and these were relayed to the Trust.

11 Review of Audience Council Priorities 2010/11 continued

Members believed that although the Members also expressed concerns makers of the controversial BBC Scotland that what were described as ‘plugs’ for documentary The Scheme had taken programmes appeared within the body some risks, the content had contributed of BBC news bulletins: it was felt that this strongly to the delivery of the BBC’s could potentially damage perceptions of citizenship and representation purposes the BBC’s impartiality. in Scotland. In October, the Council drew Following discussion in January of Executive the Trust’s attention to scheduling difficulties research on news, members advised the in relation to BBC One’s Lost Land of the Trust that there appeared to be a clear Tiger, which led to a significant number audience demand for more local and of audience complaints. Scottish news, as part of a BBC offering of The Council highlighted concerns that the UK and international news, and that options absence of opt-out programming on BBC for responding to this should be considered. One HD could adversely affect the delivery of the public purposes in Scotland: if uptake was fast, and viewers adopted BBC One HD as their channel of choice, the reach of opt-out content, in particular Reporting Scotland and other programmes which deliver key public purposes for mainstream audiences in Scotland, could be eroded.

12 BBC performance in Scotland against Public Purposes

Sustaining citizenship and civil society There was audience appreciation of the The Council considered that there had coverage on BBC Scotland of the review of been wide-ranging and comprehensive public spending which followed the election. coverage of the main stories of the year Two years on from the crash, there was a from the perspective of audiences in look at what has been learned in Britain’s Scotland. Network coverage of the Banks: Too Big to Save? on BBC Two. General Election in May 2010 was There was outstanding coverage of the innovative, and there was live coverage severe weather in December, with national of the results for the Gaelic audience on travel information and special radio bulletins BBC ALBA for the first time. Reporting of for the regions of Scotland, to coverage the coalition negotiations kept pace with of how the authorities responded to the events, and offered informed analysis. There crisis and special reports from some of the was effective coverage of the campaign in worst-affected areas. Scotland, with opportunities for audiences There was sensitive reporting of a around the country to take part in debates. threatened strike by Scotland’s top football Council noted some concerns regarding the referees in November, and the disorder network television election debates in which surrounding an Old Firm game in March. only the UK-wide parties were represented. In both cases, there was careful handling of vigorous debate on BBC Radio Scotland’s discussion and phone-in programmes.

1. Event at Pacific Quay, Glasgow. 2. Proms in the Park, Glasgow. 13 BBC performance in Scotland against Public Purposes continued

BBC Scotland gave detailed and searching Promoting education and learning coverage of the release of the Lockerbie Council noted the wide range of content bomber; coverage on the UK networks offering opportunities for formal and was not always as thorough. There was informal learning. BBC Scotland focused comprehensive coverage of the other main on the land, telling the story of Scotland’s Scottish stories of the year such as the geography in Making Scotland’s Landscape visit of Pope Benedict XVI in September, and its geology in Men of Rock. Other and the Tommy Sheridan perjury trial related programmes included The at the High Court in Glasgow. The BBC Great Climb, which combined drama and responded well to the complex challenge, scenery with a chance to see rock-climbing particularly for television, of reporting techniques close-up in a piece of innovative unfolding events in North Africa and the television. Most of the speech and music Middle East. Council noted the ability of the programming on BBC Radio Scotland Gulf-based Al-Jazeera channel to get closer supports this purpose, from Celtic to events at times, and the pressures posed Connections to Business Scotland, Sports by the BBC’s need to balance western and Weekly and documentary series such non-western perspectives. as The Scots: A Genetic Journey on Scotland’s Scottish experience featured in a range genetic profile. of network and opt-out documentaries which reflected contemporary life and illuminated contemporary issues from BBC Scotland’s runaway success The Scheme, filmed in Ayrshire, toThe Guga Hunters of Ness, and BBC Two’s The Foods That Make Billions: Liquid Gold, which included a Scottish contribution to the story of bottled water.

14 Notable factual series on the UK networks Stimulating creativity during the year which contributed to this and cultural excellence purpose included BBC Two’s The Normans Examples of stimulating content on art and A History of Celtic Britain. and history ranged from Van Gogh: Painted A BBC Year of Books got under way with with Words on BBC One to BBC Radio 4’s Faulks on Fiction on BBC Two. The Council A History of the World in 100 Objects. There welcomed BBC Scotland’s innovative was innovative drama such as The Killing webcasts Authors Live which promoted on BBC Four and on BBC One, innovative debate between leading children’s writers adaptations of Conan Doyle in Sherlock and their audiences in classrooms around and of Nigel Slater’s memoir Toast, and the country. One of Scotland’s leading high-quality popular crime drama musicians told the story of the piano in a further series of Waking the Dead accordion on BBC Two Scotland in The on BBC Two Scotland. World Accordion to Phil, while Gaelic song Council welcomed the significant increase was celebrated in the Bliadhna nan Oran in drama production from Scotland which project. Members noted the potential of had occurred during the year, including much BBC ALBA programming to offer innovative portrayal of contemporary value to a wider audience. The Council Scotland in Single Father and Lip Service welcomed the continuing provision of and original contributions to the network content for school-age learners, including schedules such as Hattie on the life of the launch of a Standard Grade Gaelic comedienne Hattie Jacques for BBC Four. Bitesize, and plans to ensure that relevant resources are provided by default for web users from Scotland. The value of general output for the tertiary sector was also noted.

1. Listening to the audience in Glasgow. 2. BBC Radio Scotland service review event. 15 BBC performance in Scotland against Public Purposes continued

Members noted that there remained The Last Night of the Proms moved from scope for improved representation of Glasgow and found a highly successful communities outside Glasgow, and format in Dundee, including the creation that it was important to supplement of a special choir for the occasion. re-commissioned series with new work Coverage of Scottish culture ranged from which enriched the portrayal of Scotland a documentary marking the centenary as a whole. of the Glasgow School of Art Macintosh’s Members noted in particular the success of Masterpiece on BBC Two Scotland to the the BBC ALBA Hogmanay programming as hugely expanded audience format adopted a refreshing approach to a seasonal format. for November’s BBC Children in Need Members also noted the role played by the Appeal from the Scottish Exhibition and Vic Galloway programme on BBC Radio Conference Centre for BBC One Scotland. Scotland in promoting new material from The Council noted that this provided contemporary Scottish musical talent, and increased representation of an eclectic the similar role played by Robbie Shepherd range of contemporary Scottish musical in introducing new talent in the field of talent. The Council noted that it had also Scottish traditional music. been a strong year for new comedy from Other genres which had seen notable BBC Scotland, including Desperate Fishwives work during the year included jazz in The on BBC Radio Scotland. Jazz House, pipe music in Pipeline on Radio Scotland and Crunluath on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, and coverage of the Shetland Folk Festival on BBC Two which drew a warm response from the audience.

16 Representing the UK, its Nations, Council noted some progress in achieving Regions and Communities a fuller and more accurate representation There was distinguished network of the UK’s regions and communities in programming which portrayed the BBC network programming. Last year the diversity of the UK including BBC Two’s Council concluded that audiences would survey of recent industrial history, The value more dramas with a Scottish setting, British at Work and Britain by Bike on BBC and welcomed the increase in Scottish Four. Opt-out programming from BBC network drama, such as Single Father and Lip Scotland continued to offer comprehensive Service, seen during the year. Members felt coverage of contemporary Scotland from some of the new Scottish comedy deserved news and current affairs to comedy, factual an airing on the UK networks. programming and social and cultural issues. There was programming around the events Programmes covering diverse aspects of which touched people’s lives throughout the Scottish culture ranged from The Lighthouse year, from the severe winter weather to Stevensons, on the history of the dynasty Hogmanay, Burns Night and the Gaelic of lighthouse engineers, to a celebration of Mod. There was special coverage in January Jimmie McGregor: 80 Years Young. Members to mark the 40th anniversary of the tragedy believed that although BBC Scotland’s at Ibrox in which 66 people died, of the controversial documentary series The funeral of former trade union leader Jimmy Scheme had taken some risks, the content Reid who died last August, and a celebration contributed strongly to the citizenship and of the life of much-loved entertainer representation purposes. Gerard Kelly who died in October.

1. Retiring Trustee, Jeremy Peat at an audience event in Glasgow. 2. Audience at an Election debate. 17 BBC performance in Scotland against Public Purposes continued

The focus on reflecting Scottish Bringing the UK to the world communities within existing services, and the world to the UK following the rejection of the proposal Audiences set a high value on BBC global for local video services from the BBC, coverage from its international reporting continued. Audiences for Reporting Scotland to features about the natural world like Lost built throughout the year to historically Land of the Tiger. Scottish sporting activity high levels. Council engagement indicates from rugby to Andy Murray was covered that there is still a strong audience appetite from around the world. BBC ALBA took for fuller representation of Scotland on part in an international project sharing news the BBC, and in particular in coverage of and current affairs stories from minority news and current affairs. Members believe cultures around the world. a better balance could be struck between The Council believes there should be Scottish news and news on English devolved a strategy in conjunction with BBC affairs, and that this would better reflect Worldwide to develop a drama brand audience needs in Scotland. from Scotland which would resonate with a global audience. BBC Scotland online resources highlighted by audiences during the year included the Robert Burns archive, the Bliadhna nan Oran/Year of Gaelic Song archive, and BBC Radio Scotland’s Zones, which offer rich resources of music and speech on Scottish life and culture to audiences around the world.

18 Encouraging use of new communications technologies The Council notes the success of the LAB project in which audiences create their own films, leading to documentary series like Seaside Stories, portraits of Millport, Dunoon and Tiree made by groups from these communities, and Indian Stories, films on modern India made by members of the Scottish-Indian community. The runaway success of The Scheme prompted a huge social media response. The Council also noted the ambition of the Waterloo Road Reunited online drama initiative, which delivered drama and related social issues to its target audience via the web.

1. Listening to the audience in Glasgow. 2. Trustee for Scotland 19 Key priorities for next year

The BBC Audience Councils agree joint Stimulating citizenship and civil society priorities from the perspective of audiences The Councils believe the BBC should play in their nations. Seven joint priorities were a stronger role in facilitating public debate proposed to the Trust in 2010/11. Audience with informed coverage of issues across Council Scotland drew two further the UK, and an increasing depth and breadth priorities to the attention of the Trust. in the BBC’s international reporting. Universality of access The ACS would like to see deeper Councils were concerned about access analysis and a stronger sense of challenge to BBC services by some audiences who in coverage of nations’ issues such as are unable to receive them, particularly sectarianism or alcohol abuse (at nations on some digital platforms. There were and network level), and a response to the particular concerns about the quality problem of finding the right balance of and extent of DAB coverage. In addition, coverage between Scottish and England Councils would also like to see a coherent only-issues in news. Content research UK-wide strategy on the roll-out of nations undertaken by the Trust demonstrates a and regions programming in HD. continued bias on network news towards stories about England. The Audience Council Scotland (ACS) expressed concern that, in spite of the Portrayal and network supply addition of new DAB transmitters for The Councils ask the Trust to continue to network services, a significant proportion challenge the Executive to produce tangible of the Scottish population could not receive enhancements to the full, authentic and DAB radio. In addition, the Council believes accurate portrayal of different communities the impact of BBC Radio Scotland would and identities across the UK. be increased if it were to be available on a The ACS welcomes the increase in Scottish single FM wavelength across Scotland. drama on the networks and looks forward to further progress in the year ahead.

20 Strategy Review and licence fee settlement Older audiences The Councils want to ensure that value for The Councils raised concerns about money is pursued fairly for all audiences how well the needs of older audiences across all strands of work, particularly were being met, and how any gaps might as difficult decisions are made as a result be addressed. of the licence fee settlement. BBC ALBA Promoting education and learning The ACS noted audience appreciation The Councils welcome the BBC’s strategy of the quality of BBC ALBA content, for formal and informal learning, and look and some concerns about how it can forward to understanding how it will be maintained in the longer term as the impact on diverse audiences such as older inherited programme stock is depleted audiences, those not in employment, or and the level of originations falls. learners in the devolved nations where BBC content for audiences in Scotland different circumstances apply. The ACS’s submissions to the BBC Radio Quality and distinctiveness 3, 4 and 7 and nations radio service The Councils welcome the commitment reviews highlighted that there is a wealth to quality and distinctiveness in the BBC of BBC content scattered across BBC Strategy Review and want to see the radio schedules that is culturally relevant tangible benefits for audiences in BBC to audiences in Scotland. The Council services at network, national and local suggested that the Trust ask the Executive levels. In particular, audiences wish to see to consider how best to commission, consistent standards of quality being met schedule and distribute such content in both network and opt out programmes. to maximise its reach, impact and public value for audiences in Scotland, particularly in the light of the constraints of the licence fee settlement.

21 Audience Council for Scotland

Bill Matthews Alison Bigrigg Beth Culshaw

David Garrick Munwar Hussain Tricia Jordan

Jamie Kinlochan Neil McIntosh Iseabail McTaggart

Callum Thomson Lesley Thomson

22 Contacts

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