2008/09 Audience council review/ Scotland 01/ BBC Trustee for Scotland
02/ The work of the Council
07/ BBC performance against priorities set for 2008/09 09/ BBC performance against its public purposes 1 4 / Audience Council for Scotland priorities for 2009/10 b BBC Trustee for Scotland
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, Northern Ireland, England and Wales – are supported by the Trust to provide an independent assessment of audience expectations and issues. A strong year for the BBC in Scotland saw the launch of BBC Alba (in partnership with MG Alba), a pledge to make more network television in Scotland, and some improvement in network news about the devolved nations. Programme highlights included coverage of the economic crisis, and the multimedia Scotland’s History. We consulted audiences, advising the Trust accordingly. Key issues included the BBC’s plans to improve local coverage, and the debate on the future of public service broadcasting. Audiences in Scotland tell us they want more content reflecting their interests and concerns, while retaining the strengths of the BBC networks.
Jeremy Peat National Trustee for Scotland
01 The work of the Council
Council reflects audience concerns to the BBC. “We held consultative events with young people, people with disabilities, and members of ethnic and cultural groups.”
02 “Following the debate on public trust in broadcasters, we stressed that the BBC’s customary high standards should be strictly maintained in the future.”
Event in Annan.
We held consultative events with young people, The Council held 11 meetings and advised the people with disabilities, and members of ethnic Trust of matters arising. and cultural groups. For the children’s service review, we listened to the views of school During the year we drew the attention of children from Glasgow and the surrounding the Trust to the possibility of re-using Gaelic areas, and received particularly valuable input learning material following the closure of BBC from Primary 6/7 children at Glencairn Primary Jam, without potentially negative impact on School in Stevenston, Ayrshire. An audience commercial media; the lack of availability of meeting in Kelso focused on digital switchover BBC Alba on cable; public concern that the in the Scottish Borders. Consultation on the period set for the BBC to increase network review of BBC services for younger audiences programme making in Scotland was too was conducted at Baldragon Academy in long; the displacement of programmes for Dundee, Glasgow Caledonian University, audiences in Scotland as a result of changes and with representatives of organisations to the network schedule; and a wide range of representing young people. We consulted other issues of concern to licence fee payers audiences in Elgin and Kilmarnock on the in Scotland. Executive’s proposals for improved local We also monitored the progress of digital video services. switchover during the year. Members attended events on broadcasting topics held by other organisations, monitored the logs of audience comments made to the BBC, and studied the results of research undertaken by the BBC Trust, the BBC Executive and other organisations.
03 The work of the Council
Council advice to the BBC Trust Monitoring report on network news Children’s service review (July 2008) (November 2008) We noted that the BBC’s commitment to In autumn 2008 we monitored BBC network younger audiences was particularly important news to assess accuracy in reporting of in the light of the debate on the future of public devolved matters, relevance for audiences service broadcasting. Careful scheduling was in the nations, coverage of stories from the necessary to ensure that children’s programmes nations, repetition or lack of co-ordination, were available to the maximum audience, and and the extent of comparative reporting. We we urged schedulers to take account of the concluded that network news had achieved public value of programmes for children when greater accuracy, and combined a wider variety making decisions about when they should of perspectives following the Impartiality Review. be broadcast. However there was room for further progress in accuracy and richness of coverage. News Following the debate on public trust in coverage from the devolved nations was often broadcasters, we stressed that the BBC’s brief and could appear tokenistic. customary high standards should be strictly maintained in the future. We welcomed the The problem of repetition in the Six and measures taken by the Trust to this end. Reporting Scotland remained. Instead of two versions of a Scottish story, designed with There was evidence that younger audiences different audiences in mind, viewers in Scotland responded strongly to content set in a context would be better served by a single, more they recognised as their own. We noted interest comprehensive report. We noted the contrast in children’s programmes when Scottish schools with the blending of UK and Scottish news on are on holiday but other UK schools are not. Radio Scotland’s integrated news service.
04 “The submission said that the work of the Trust supported the evidence given to the Commission that there is audience demand in Scotland for more content on Scottish topics.”
Event in Glasgow.
Review of BBC services for younger audiences in Moray and Ayrshire indicated clear audience (December 2008) demand for BBC content reflecting local There was awareness and appreciation of interests and concerns. core BBC values among younger audiences, even where they were not high consumers. Members noted that audience perceptions There was demand for material that was of under-provision in Scotland, identified in more relevant to younger audiences, such as Trust research, remained more acute than in music, comedy, and documentaries on issues any other UK nation. We concluded that the of concern to them, and more content which BBC’s national Scottish news and non-news reflected contemporaryS cotland. The BBC content should be strengthened, and the should offer positive, culturally specific role provision of regional news developed, to create models for young people in Scotland. There a comprehensive news service appropriate for was some demand for a stronger local identity a devolved nation. The rejection of the Local for the BBC in Scotland, although some young Video proposal in its original form meant that people felt channel identity was less important the issue of the provision of regional/local news for them. We noted the popularity of the for Scotland from the BBC, identified in the BBC iPlayer among younger members of 2003 news review, had still to be addressed. the audience.
BBC Local Video proposal We supported the Trust’s view that provision of additional resources for existing bulletins, and regional radio or television opts in the devolved nations, could address gaps in the news portfolio. Our own engagement activity
05 The work of the Council
Event in Glasgow.
Responses to Scottish Broadcasting demand for more BBC content specifically Commission (November 2008) and for Scotland in addition to, and not instead of, Calman Commission on Scottish BBC network output. The provision of separate devolution (February 2009) service licences for BBC Scotland services, called We advised the Trust on issues arising from for in the Council’s response to the Service the final report of the Scottish Broadcasting Licences consultation in April 2007, would Commission. The Council considered that facilitate proper debate of this issue. increasing the range of public service content available for audiences in Scotland through the The BBC Trust’s submission to the Calman Commission’s proposed new digital channel Commission on Scottish devolution was would be likely to benefit BBC audiences. informed by the work of the Council. However we were concerned that if funding The submission said that the work of the Trust for the channel were to come, even indirectly, supported the evidence given to the Commission from the licence fee, this could damage the BBC that there is audience demand in Scotland for and would not be in the interests of licence fee more content on Scottish topics, or which is payers in Scotland. presented from a Scottish perspective. The Trust We welcomed the Commission’s focus on stated that, in setting the overall strategy for the issues already raised by the Council, including BBC, it took careful account of these views as part aspects of BBC news for audiences in Scotland, of its assessment of the needs of licence payers network television supply, and free-to-air across the UK as a whole. It noted that its work carriage of national football. plan included priorities on cultural representation of the UK nations, and the provision of national, Members emphasised that BBC Scotland regional and local news, and that the Audience delivers strongly across the BBC’s public Council monitored implementation of the actions purposes. But we noted evident audience agreed with the Executive.
“We concluded that the BBC’s national Scottish news and non-news content should be strengthened.”
06 BBC performance against priorities set for 2008/09
Identify gaps in universality of access and management responded with a comprehensive develop a strategy for addressing them action plan to achieve this. Members of the Following the Trust’s approval of Freesat and Council monitored network news coverage the BBC iPlayer, the BBC Executive has been of Scottish affairs throughout the year and asked to develop a strategy for DAB which will conducted a close study during one week in the be considered by the Trust in the year ahead. autumn. Reporting to the Trust’s Audiences and We noted reception problems for BBC services Performance Committee in February 2009, we on some key routes in the Highlands, and the concluded that there had been improvements technical challenge this poses, and asked the in accuracy, but that the constraints of covering BBC to devise options for improvement. the affairs of four nations meant that Scottish perspectives, and those of other devolved In the light of the Nations’ Impartiality Review, nations, remained marginal and were covered the Council’s comments in relation to this in insufficient depth. We asked that the options issue, and the continuing process of devolution for improving BBC news services in Scotland be in the UK, especially in Scotland where the reviewed. As a priority for 2009/10, the process is most advanced – ensure that the Trust has said it would be mindful of the BBC’s public purposes and journalistic remit importance attached by the Council to ensuring are fully achieved with regard to reporting the delivery of a national news service for Scottish affairs in a devolved UK; considering audiences in Scotland. the range of options available if the current schedule is deemed to be a constraint In June 2008 the Trust concluded that BBC network news should do more to accurately reflect policy debates and decisions in each of the four nations of the UK, and BBC
“In June 2008 the Trust concluded that BBC network news should do more to accurately reflect policy debates and decisions in each of the four nations of the UK.” 07 “We welcomed the commitments made in the BBC Executive’s plan for television network supply from outside of London.”
Event in Kilmarnock.
Deliver the network supply plan for Scotland Successfully launch the BBC Scotland/GMS in the light of the BBC’s publicly stated Gaelic Digital Service according to the aspirations, with a significant proportion to be conditions approved by the Trust, achieving culturally relevant; and prepare a similar plan an appropriate balance between content for network radio commissions for the core audience, learners and the We welcomed the commitments made in the wider audience BBC Executive’s plan for television network BBC Alba was successfully launched in supply from outside of London, and noted the September 2008. Members of the Council Director-General’s aspiration that network believe the new service has greatly enhanced television deliveries from Scotland should grow provision for speakers and learners of Gaelic, to at least its proportion of the UK population. and offers significant public value for the wider A good start has been made with commissions audience in Scotland. such as A Question of Genius. However we noted that no specific target had been set for Recommend to the DCMS that, in the Scotland: members believe that around 9% of interests of audiences, home nations’ fixtures network deliveries should be achieved, ahead in the qualifying stages of European and World of the target of 2016 set by the Trust. We agree Cup football be added to the list of ‘Crown that cultural relevance should be considered Jewels’ sporting events separately from network supply, and look The Council will submit a recommendation to forward to seeing equivalent benefits from the Trust in relation to the DCMS review of a review of radio network supply. listed events.
08 BBC performance against its public purposes
Sustaining citizenship and BBC output brought the audience together at civil society key national moments from Hogmanay and the Members considered that the BBC performed 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns strongly in a challenging year, providing high to the commemoration service in Aberdeen quality coverage and analysis from the US for those who died in the North Sea on 1 April. election to the economic crisis and the Documentaries from Girls Behind Bars to Margo helicopter crash in the North Sea in April MacDonald: My Right to Die stimulated debate in which 16 people lost their lives. on important issues. Reporting on the economy brought impartiality The launch of BBC Alba strongly enhanced to a complex and sometimes controversial the BBC’s delivery of this purpose, extending story. Coverage of Scottish perspectives on BBC the range of original journalism from An Là, the Scotland benefitted from a strengthened BBC nightly Gaelic news programme from Inverness, Scotland business team and an enhanced web to documentaries on Scottish political history presence. However we noted that coverage of and contemporary social issues. Scottish angles on network outlets was marginal, in spite of the importance of the story for the Two concerns were highlighted in research Scottish economy, so that overall BBC coverage undertaken by the Trust. Firstly, although BBC lacked some cohesion for audiences in Scotland. Scotland aimed to provide comprehensive coverage of how Scotland is governed, On television, new bulletins in mid-evening audiences did not think the BBC as a whole broadened the audience for BBC news. Radio did this sufficiently well. Secondly, only around Scotland maintained its position as the nation’s a third of the audience in Scotland considered leading speech network. that the BBC reflected their local interests and concerns. These concerns were also reflected in our engagement work with audiences. We
“Reporting on the economy brought impartiality to a complex and sometimes controversial story.”
09 “We believe the BBC should respond by expanding and enriching existing television output, while reviewing the opt-out schedule to allow for a better balance of international, UK and Scottish news.”
Pacific Quay.
believe the BBC should respond by expanding The launch of BBC Alba highlighted existing and enriching existing television output, while resources for Gaelic learners and added new reviewing the opt-out schedule to allow for ones. Programmes like A Rèir an Aimsir, on how a better balance of international, UK and weather has shaped landscape and culture in Scottish news. the Western Isles, offered opportunities to learn on more than one level. We welcomed the Promoting education release, for re-use, of Gaelic learning materials and learning from the former BBC jam. Provision for formal and informal learning remained strong. Scotland’s History reached Our consultation work suggested that more a range of audiences through mainstream work needs to be done to deliver this and the television documentaries, audio walks, an other public purposes for young adults. interactive online site and learning packs for schools. The television series found a lively and Stimulating creativity and innovative approach, but was inconsistently cultural excellence scheduled and may have lost impact as a result. Programmes for the 250th anniversary of Series such as Springwatch drew large audiences the birth of Robert Burns found engaging for informal learning, while featuring Scottish approaches to the topic. There was high quality natural history in a UK context. coverage of Scottish culture, although a way should be found to feature challenging material Programmes for the 250th anniversary of closer to the heart of the schedules. BBC the birth of Robert Burns found original Scotland took creative risks with comedy from perspectives and sometimes sparked debate. animation on television to topical sketches on An audio archive of all of the Bard’s works, Radio Scotland. We welcomed the return of launched during the year, will be a permanent drama to the Radio Scotland schedule. educational resource.
10 Event in Kilmarnock. Trustee for Scotland, Jeremy Peat.
11 BBC performance against its public purposes
The plan to make more network television the 60th anniversary of the NHS in Scotland. in Scotland, initiated by the Trust, will bring While network coverage of the latter did economic benefits; but we believe its true value not do enough to reflect sub-UK dimensions, for audiences will lie in the development of other network programmes such as Jimmy indigenous talent. There is scope, too, for more Doherty’s Farming Heroes and Britannia: The Network Radio to be made in Scotland. Great Elizabethan Journey set aspects of Scottish experience in a wider context and helped Representing the UK, its nations, deliver this purpose. We believe that the BBC regions and communities should do more to reflect and celebrate The launch of BBC Alba in September 2008 Scottish life and culture in both network and made a major contribution to delivery of this BBC Scotland programmes and content. purpose. The channel, run in partnership with MG Alba, has transformed the broadcasting During the year we raised audience landscape in Scotland. It is clearly a highly concerns about coverage of sport. We valuable resource for the Gaelic community and welcomed the return of Sportscene Highlights in for learners of the language. As a public service a new form and at a better time, the innovative channel based in Scotland, with programmes formats of Sport Monthly (BBC Two Scotland) commissioned and produced from a Scottish and Open All Mics (Radio Scotland), and perspective, it plays a unique role in the Scottish improved television coverage of shinty broadcasting market. in The MacAulay Cup. Programmes rooted in Scottish experience drew a warm response from audiences. Examples included Scotland’s History, SOS – the History of the RNLI in Scotland, and coverage of
“BBC ALBA has transformed the broadcasting landscape in Scotland. It is clearly a highly valuable resource for the Gaelic community and for learners of the language.” 12 Event in Kilmarnock. An Là
Bringing the UK to the world Emerging communications and the world to the UK Compelling content on BBC Three and Four Coverage of global news and issues remained and the BBC News Channel played a part strong, ranging from Oceans and coverage of in easing digital switchover in the Borders in the Beijing Olympics to The American Future autumn 2008. News content was developed – A History, which reviewed US history in the for new platforms and devices. BBC Alba run-up to the 2008 Presidential election. BBC programming was made available on the BBC Scotland featured Scottish sporting achievement iPlayer, and a Gaelic language portal created around the globe from tennis to curling, and for it. in The Man Who Cycled the World brought a Scottish perspective to the concerns of other We identified a number of technological societies in a way that appealed to audiences challenges which emerged during the year. in Scotland and beyond. Eòrpa and other BBC The BBC will need to acquire more spectrum, Alba documentaries continued to provide or utilise its existing allocation more effectively, a distinctively Scottish slant on global affairs. if it is to expand the opt-out schedule to meet We noted a scarcity of Scottish material from audience demands. For BBC Alba, availability BBC Worldwide. Scottish culture has a strong on cable and DTT will be essential if the full global profile, as evidenced by the interest in potential of the channel is to be realised. DAB the Homecoming and in the Burns anniversary. coverage in Scotland remains problematic, and We believe increased investment would the full extent of the ‘digital divide’ in the West bring returns, and raised the issue with the of Scotland became apparent. We believe these Chief Executive of BBC Worldwide when he issues will need to be resolved to ensure full attended a Council meeting in January. delivery of the BBC’s public purposes.
13 Audience Council for Scotland priorities for 2009/10
The BBC Audience Councils agree joint Audio & Music in 2009 and request that the priorities from the perspective of audiences in Trust keep Councils informed of the progress their nations. The priorities agreed for 2009/10 of this review. and adopted by the Trust are: Portrayal Digital and other access issues That the Trust should investigate ways in That the Trust ask the Executive to develop which the BBC might better portray the full plans to work towards greater access for all diversity of the UK’s nations and communities BBC content on digital platforms. In particular in the regions of England, across its Network Audience Councils attach importance to DAB services, significantly enhancing the cultural radio across the UK; in Scotland for BBC Alba representation of the English regions, Scotland, on DTT; in Northern Ireland, DAB carriage for Wales and Northern Ireland. BBC Radio Foyle; and carriage for BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Wales on DAB and FM Impartiality Review of the Coverage of across the whole of Wales. Devolved Matters That the Trust should carefully monitor the Network commissioning outside London implementation of the BBC management’s That the Trust should monitor the delivery, actions regarding the Impartiality Review of within the timescale which it set, of the Network News and Current Affairs coverage proposals announced by BBC management of devolved matters. arising from the TV Network Supply Review. That in monitoring the roll out of the plans it ensures that the BBC maintains and develops sustainable production centres across the UK. Audience Councils welcome the commitment to undertake a Network Supply Review for
“The Trust should investigate ways in which the BBC might better portray the full diversity of the UK’s nations and communities.”
14 “The Trust should keep in mind that Audience Councils continue to attach importance to ensuring the BBC delivers high quality services to its audiences at a national, regional and local level.”
Event in Kilmarnock.
Audience Councils’ operation and National, Regional and Local news services communications That the Trust should keep in mind that That the Trust should strengthen its relationship Audience Councils continue to attach with the Audience Councils, and seek to achieve importance to ensuring the BBC delivers high more visible participation of the Audience quality services to its audiences at a national, Councils in its work to ensure the widest regional and local level, including ensuring audience participation in the processes leading sufficient investment in the infrastructure of local to its decisions. This should include a review and regional radio services and seeking ways to of a communication strategy for the Trust and improve the range and depth of regional and Audience Councils. local news coverage. Editorial standards and complaints handling Other priorities identified by theBB C That the Trust should undertake work to Audience Council for Scotland gather audience views on acceptable editorial The Trust agreed to give further consideration standards and improve audience understanding to three other priorities proposed by the of the BBC’s complaints procedures. Council. They were to review news and current affairs in Scotland, to recommend to the DCMS that Scottish national football be listed for free- to-air transmission, and to commission research on the range of content offered by BBC Scotland and explore options for expanding it.
15 Contacts
If you wish to find out more about the BBC’s year – including full financial statements and each service’s performance against its Statement of Programme Policy – then please visit www.bbc.co.uk/annualreport If you want to know more about how the BBC is run then please visit www.bbc.co.uk/info BBC Information is our audience’s virtual front door to the BBC. If you have a question, comment, complaint or suggestion about BBC programmes and services, then please write to us here:
BBC Information PO Box 1922 Glasgow G2 3WT Telephone: 03700 100 222* (Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training purposes.) Textphone: 03700 100 212* BBC Audience Council Fax: 0141 307 5770 for Scotland from left to right: Website: www.bbc.co.uk/feedback Top row: Rak Nandwani Last year we had over 1.6 million contacts from Douglas Osler the general public. second row: Douglas Chalmers BBC Audience Council Scotland Tricia Jordan Zone G11 Third row: 40 Pacific Quay Neil McIntosh Glasgow G51 1DA James Cohen Trust’s main number: 03700 103 100* Eleanor Logan Email: [email protected] fourth row: Callum Thomson * 0370 numbers are called ‘uK wide’ and cost no more than calls to 01 or 02 Lesley Thomson geographic numbers. fifth row: Robert Beveridge Jeremy Peat (Chair) Beth Culshaw 16 “We try to make sure that licence payers in Scotland receive the best possible value from the BBC.” ROBERT BEVERIDGE
“We capture the issues that matter to audiences in Scotland, and make sure they are heard by the BBC Trust.” ELEANOR LOGAN
“SE OBAIR NA COMHAIRLE A BHITH A’ MEASADH DE cho math ’s a tha am BBC air a bhith a’ frithealadh feumalachdan luchd-pàighidh na cìse ann an Alba.” DOUGLAS CHALMERS
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