Scotland Audience Council Review 2011/12

Scotland Audience council review 2011/12

a 01 Foreword by the National Trustee 02 Progress against Audience Council priorities for 2011/12 06 Audience Council activity 2011/12 08 BBC performance in Scotland against the public purposes 2011/12 14 Audience Council for Scotland audience priorities for 2012/13 16 Audience Council for Scotland 17 Contacts

Cover image Mrs Brown’s Boys: this BBC Scotland/RTE co-production was one of the most successful programmes of the year. Foreword by the National Trustee

Audience engagement focused on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, the BBC News and Parliament channels and the BBC Asian Network. The Council welcomed progress with BBC ALBA, the audience for which doubled since it became available on Freeview; and noted the continuing growth of network TV made in Scotland, and some improvement in portrayal of Scotland on the networks. Members commended a year of strong journalism and welcomed innovations like the regional round-up on Reporting Scotland, but felt there was still scope to improve the balance between “The Council welcomed Scottish and England-only news items. significant progress with BBC The Council will continue to monitor audience views and advise the Trust ALBA, the audience for which in the year ahead. has doubled since it became available on Freeview.”

The BBC Audience Councils advise the BBC Trust on how well the BBC is Bill Matthews delivering its public purposes and serving Trust member for Scotland and licence payers across the UK. The four Chair of Audience Council Scotland Councils – serving Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland – provide an independent assessment of audience expectations and issues. Members of Audience Council Scotland highlighted four key issues during the year: the BBC’s continuing importance as a benchmark of quality in the UK media; a need for better representation of the regions of Scotland, and of Scotland to the UK; the challenges posed by the coming referendum; and the continuing issue of finding the right balance between Scottish news and news which only affects other parts of the UK.

1 Progress against Audience Council priorities for 2011/12

Universality of access to BBC services The Audience Council Scotland The Council has been concerned about (ACS) notes that target coverage for access to BBC services by those sections DAB in Scotland is lower than that of the audience unable to receive them. for the UK as a whole. Members recognise Members welcomed the advent of BBC the geographical problems faced by DAB ALBA in the evenings on Freeview and roll-out in less populated areas but believe cable from June 2011 and the resulting that a customised solution should be improvement in access to the service. developed – perhaps involving investment Reach to the service has increased in FM or Freeview – to ensure that all BBC substantially. The Council had had particular services become universally available on at concerns about the quality and extent least one platform. Members welcomed of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) the decision to retain medium wave coverage in Scotland. Members welcomed broadcasts in Scotland. the retention of three BBC digital radio Councils had asked to see a coherent services on Freeview in Scotland (BBC UK-wide strategy on the roll-out of nations Radio 5 Live, BBC 1Xtra and BBC 6Music) and regions programming in high definition and noted the possibility that advances in (HD), and the proposals for Delivering transmission technology may allow for the Quality First (DQF) included further thinking return of others at some point in the future. on this topic. Members acknowledged the focus on services which deliver the greatest value to the greatest number, but believe this must be balanced against an equal need to provide services which resonate in the UK’s devolved nations.

2 Members were concerned at the possibility The Council had raised the issue of news that opt-out programmes would not coverage with the Trust, following Trust be carried on BBC Two HD and have research demonstrating a continued bias asked for assurances that they continue in some areas of network news towards on standard definition until a satisfactory stories about England. Following a review, solution is found. In an age of devolution, the Executive proposed to introduce BBC Two’s role as a ‘knowledge-building’ a short regional round-up on Reporting channel gives it specific responsibilities within Scotland, develop news opt-outs on Scotland as well as across the UK. BBC Radio Scotland and, on network Members emphasised that the BBC Two news, to improve policy comparisons opt-outs are a key part of Scotland’s between England and the devolved national dialogue. nations and increase the role of Scottish correspondents. Members welcomed Stimulating citizenship and civil society the regional round-up initiative and noted The ACS had said it would like to see the improvement in quality scores among deeper analysis and a stronger sense of the audience; however, members believe challenge in coverage of nations’ issues, and that progress in implementing a broader a response to the problem of finding the strategy to address these issues has been right balance of coverage between Scottish slow. Members are concerned that the news and news that only affects other initiatives are, in themselves, insufficient areas of the UK. During the year, members to ensure that BBC News is reflecting noted the range of vigorous investigative contemporary Scotland as well as it could. journalism provided by BBC Scotland on Audiences value the quality of BBC News, topics from sectarianism in football to but are ambitious for it to reflect Scotland’s allegations of corruption at Edinburgh City regions more fully, and keep pace with Council. BBC Scotland continued to provide contemporary developments in Scottish opportunities for informed debate on politics and society. Members welcomed current issues such as Call Kaye and Brian the engagement of the Trust’s Audiences Taylor’s Big Debate on BBC Radio Scotland. and Performance Committee with the issues raised in the review.

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1. Trustee for Scotland in Dundee. 2. Consultative event on BBC Asian Network. 3. Trustee for Scotland at audience event in Glasgow.

3 Progress against Audience Council priorities for 2011/12 continued

Portrayal and network supply The Council welcomed the continuing The Councils had asked the Trust to growth during the year of network continue to challenge the Executive to television made in Scotland and believes produce tangible enhancements to the full, it remains a priority to instigate a network authentic and accurate portrayal of different supply process for radio. Members believe communities and identities across the UK. this would contribute significantly to A range of BBC Scotland factual new talent development and improved programmes featured on the UK representation of Scotland on the BBC networks including: The Making of Scotland’s radio networks. Landscapes, The Scheme, Girls Behind Bars Licence fee settlement and RBS: Inside the Bank That Ran Out of The Councils wanted to ensure that Money. New BBC Scotland comedies value for money was pursued fairly for Burnistoun and Gary: Tank Commander all audiences as difficult decisions were appeared on BBC Two and BBC Three made as a result of the licence fee respectively. Members felt that comedy settlement. The ACS commented on could be particularly effective in improving the work undertaken during the year portrayal and representation, especially to adjust BBC budgets to the reduced for parts of Scotland beyond the central funding available. Members believe that belt. Drama is another genre key in driving the key audience issues they have raised perceptions of portrayal and members – portrayal of Scotland on the networks, noted the success of BBC Scotland’s The regional coverage in Scotland, and the Field of Blood on BBC One. However, the overall balance of news provision – Council feels that progress in developing can be addressed within the limits network television drama which offers full of the DQF settlement. and authentic representation of Scotland has been slow.

4 Quality and distinctiveness BBC content for audiences in Scotland The Councils had observed that audiences The ACS’s submissions to the BBC wished to see consistent standards of Radio 3, 4 and 7 and the nations’ radio quality being met in both network and reviews highlighted that there is a wealth opt-out programmes. The ACS notes of BBC content scattered across BBC that opt-out programmes often receive radio schedules that is culturally relevant lower levels of resourcing than the to audiences in Scotland. The Council network equivalents with which viewers suggested that the Trust ask the Executive compare them. Members believe that to consider how best to commission, in general, BBC Scotland opt-outs set schedule and distribute such content to standards for broadcasting in Scotland, maximise its reach, impact and public and meet or exceed the standards of value for audiences in Scotland, particularly network programmes. in the light of the constraints of the licence Members noted that the BBC Scotland/ fee settlement. RTE series Mrs Brown’s Boys commissioned Members welcome the action point in the for network and broadcast in early 2012 review for BBC radio to co-commission received one of the highest audience more content, exploring common themes, appreciation scores ever recorded by to use more BBC Radio Scotland content a BBC comedy programme. on the UK networks, and to consider whether more programmes made for BBC BBC ALBA Radio 4 in Scotland could also be broadcast The ACS noted audience appreciation by BBC Radio Scotland. of the quality of BBC ALBA content, and some concerns about how it can be maintained in the longer term if the level of originations falls as the inherited programme stock is depleted. The Council welcomes the significant increase in audiences for BBC ALBA achieved in the past year but believes that the long-term resourcing of the service remains a priority for the two partners, the BBC and MG Alba, who share the management of the service.

1. Trustee for Scotland (left) listens 2 to a licence fee payer in Dundee. 2. Trustees meet Council members at Audience Councils’ Day.

5 Audience Council activity 2011/12

In addition to its regular monthly meetings, During the year, the Council noted the the Council held audience engagement final report on the nations’ radio service events across Scotland, consulted other review and responded to the reviews of available sources of audience feedback BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC News Channel, and incorporated them into its advice BBC Parliament, the DQF proposals and to the Trust. the BBC Asian Network. The Council There were consultative events in Glasgow also submitted comments to the Trust’s and Ullapool on BBC services for audiences Audiences and Performance Committee in Scotland, and in Dundee on the BBC on the Executive review of news provision Asian Network. For the service reviews for audiences in Scotland. of the BBC News and Parliament channels Members attended joint Council events there was an audience event in Glasgow on the reviews of BBC Radio 5 Live and and a stakeholder event in Edinburgh. the News and Parliament channels. The Stakeholder meetings were held in Glasgow Council’s submissions to the service reviews in October on the creativity public purpose and DQF are available at www.bbc.co.uk/ and in December on the DQF proposals. bbctrust/who_we_are/audience_councils/ scotland/your_voice.html

11. Council member Jamie Kinlochan 1 at an audience event in Glasgow. 2. Trustee for Scotland in conversation with the BBC Director-General.

6 Other issues Following the carriage of BBC ALBA on Members considered audience research Freeview from June, members raised the undertaken by the BBC Trust and the issue of the loss of some network radio BBC Executive and monitored the logs on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) of audience comments made to the BBC. with the Trust and agreed to continue to Members discussed issues of concern to monitor the level of audience comment audiences at their meetings and, where about the loss. Following discussion on appropriate, relayed advice to the Trust. universality of access in February, members There was discussion of digital switchover advised Trustees that low levels of in Central Scotland prior to completion broadband take-up/availability affected of the process in Scotland in July 2011. the BBC’s ability to reach significant The Council welcomed the Trust’s sections of the audience in Scotland. conclusions on the Science Impartiality There was discussion of the issues Review, but noted that content for the arising from the Executive news review devolved nations was excluded from the throughout the year. Latterly, there was review and suggested that the Executive consideration of the challenges posed for in Scotland be asked to report on how the the BBC by the coverage of the planned recommendations would be implemented independence referendum. in Scotland. In September, members heard a progress report on the objectives set by the Scottish Government’s Broadcast Working Group and concluded that while network production targets were welcome, the ultimate objective should be the development of a strong indigenous creative sector in Scotland.

7 BBC performance in Scotland against the public purposes 2011/12

Sustaining citizenship BBC Radio nan Gàidheal’s ability to provide It was a year when the independence of a mixture of international, national and local BBC journalism was tested at home and news was particularly commended and abroad by a number of stories which special mention was made of the fact that needed unusually sensitive coverage to the network had native Gaelic speakers maintain audience perceptions of impartiality. in many of the parts of the world who were There was informative and courageous able to comment authoritatively reporting on the continuing political on international affairs. developments in the Middle East, especially In covering the allegations of phone hacking the fighting in Libya where correspondents at the News of the World, the BBC operated in circumstances of great personal reported on a crisis at an organisation risk because of the involvement of UK known as a major competitor. The Council forces in policing a no-fly zone. believed an objective approach was As before, the Council noted that, for some maintained throughout, while undertaking sections of the audience, BBC coverage did – through a series of scoops – original not always strike the right balance between journalism in the public interest. Coverage Western and non-Western perspectives. of the Leveson Inquiry into media ethics But members welcomed original journalism ordered in the wake of the allegations and features during the year which provided was thorough but not excessive. context for events in the Middle East from There was comprehensive coverage of How Facebook Changed the World: The the Scottish election in May 2011 on BBC Arab Spring to The Life of Muhammad and Scotland television, BBC ALBA, BBC Radio Secret Pakistan on recent relations between Scotland, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and Pakistan and the West, all on BBC Two. 1

8 online. In the aftermath of the historic result, There was engaging programming on there was analysis of the implications on a range of topical issues from the collapse network and Scottish services. of the Royal Bank of Scotland in RBS: The When the debate on a referendum on Bank That Ran Out of Money and in High Scotland’s future got under way early in School, a year in the life of Europe’s largest 2012, the BBC responded quickly with school, Holyrood Secondary in South coverage across all the main BBC outlets and Glasgow (both on BBC One) to the a special debate screened for audiences in day-to-day running of the London Scotland. Members commended coverage Underground in The Tube (BBC Two). on BBC Scotland and the contribution Members noted the citizenship value made by BBC Scotland correspondents to of high quality factual content from network bulletins. Members suggested that Scotland for audiences in Scotland, and the BBC should form a group to cover the when transferred to the UK networks, handling of issues arising from the debate for audiences throughout the UK. on the future of the UK, to ensure that Accuracy is a key quality in BBC journalism standards of impartiality were maintained and the different structures and policies on both network and local programming. in the UK’s devolved administrations need Members noted that there was strong to be accurately described on network investigative journalism from BBC Scotland news programmes so that audiences across of range of topics from the Edinburgh in the different parts of the UK are not tram project to the environmental misinformed. Members have noted record of the Scottish salmon farming considerable progress since the issue industry. Coverage of football ranged was highlighted in the Trust’s Nations from sectarianism to the financial affairs of Impartiality Review in 2008. However, Rangers FC in Rangers – the Inside Story on they believe there is a need for constant what turned out to be one of the biggest vigilance on accuracy, and scope for further Scottish stories of the year. There was improvement in the number of news items debate on these sometimes contentious which make a comparison between policies topics on BBC Radio Scotland and in March, in the four nations of the UK. Members also the future of Scottish football was examined highlighted a continuing problem with the in a special documentary and discussed in a balance of Scottish news and news which live studio debate on BBC One Scotland. only affects other parts of the UK.

2 1. Council member Matt MacIver at audience event in Glasgow. 2. Council members listen to audience views.

9 BBC performance in Scotland against the public purposes 2011/12 continued

Promoting learning was new provision for Scots language Opportunities for learning and personal in Blethering Scots 2 and Scots Scuil. For development were provided across the those studying in Gaelic, there were new schedules and on a wide range of topics resources for language and science. from science and health to technology and the arts. Outlets ranged from Frozen Planet Stimulating creativity and cultural and The Culture Show on BBC Two, which excellence is produced in part in Scotland, to series Trust research indicates that audiences like BBC One’s The Great British Countryside across the UK would like to see more fresh on geology and the landscape, themed and new ideas from the BBC. approaches to a topic like Mixed Race Members noted innovation across all genres Season on BBC Two or Spirit of Schubert and services during the year. There was on BBC Radio 3, and in BBC Scotland’s After original British drama like Prisoners’ Wives Life, an innovative study of the science of which cast light on a sometimes overlooked decay. Series like Waterloo Road and River aspect of crime and the justice system, City are effective vehicles for raising viewers’ and original comedy like Getting On which awareness of important social issues like offered an unusual perspective on life – treating addiction, or supporting people and death – in a geriatric ward. There who are living with dementia. were innovative approaches to period There was further provision of resources drama on television in The Hour, The Scarlet to support formal education. The popular and the Black and Great Expectations and Bitesize Scotland resource was reorganised further contemporary reimagining of to prepare for the introduction of the new a well-worn classic in three new episodes Curriculum for Excellence and there was of Sherlock. BBC One Scotland’s new content for Higher English texts like adaptation of Denise Mina’s The Field of Sunset Song and The Cone Gatherers. There Blood transferred to BBC One network. However, members felt there was a need

10 for a more innovative approach to drama Members believe that licence payers also in Scotland, where a thriving literary and value programmes which cover new dramatic scene is not being reflected on topics or old topics in a new way, without BBC services as well as it could. BBC Radio 4 necessarily being innovative in format or continued to innovate in drama, from a new style. Responsive, timely BBC Scotland commission The Lamp celebrating Scotland’s content like BBC Scotland Investigates, The first public lending library, recorded on Clydebank Blitz, Castle Commando and Dr location in Perthshire, to the highly innovative Fortune’s Australian Casebook met this need. scheduling of the modern Russian classic Life BBC ALBA extends the range of cultural and Fate across all the network’s drama slots excellence celebrated on BBC services in for a week. Scotland, with programmes which ranged Music programming on radio and television this year from comprehensive coverage of continued to support new musicians, the Rockness contemporary music festival performers and writers. The BBC Scottish in June to a broadcast of a special concert Symphony Orchestra experimented with from Inverness Cathedral in October formats from a concert of film scores, to celebrate the centenary of the birth Music to be Murdered By, to an hour-long of the poet Sorley Maclean. video of highlights from Der Rosenkavalier captured by a single camera focussed on Representing the UK, its nations, regions Chief Conductor Donald Runnicles, and and communities with an optional commentary by him, Some outstanding network programmes both available on the BBC music website. like BBC Two’s Jig: the Great Irish Dance-off – During a week in March, BBC Radio 3 on the Irish Dancing World Championships featured live concerts from the Royal held in Glasgow – offer rich, authentic Conservatoire of Scotland. Scottish jazz portrayal of contemporary life in the UK talent old and new was featured on BBC with special relevance to aspects of Scottish outlets from legendary saxophonist Bobby life and culture. Editions of Panorama like Wellins on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Library to What’s Fuelling Your Energy Bill explore issues the broadcast debut of jazz students from with particular importance for Scotland the Conservatoire on BBC Radio Scotland’s like the cost of green energy. Much of BBC The Jazz House. Scotland’s programming – from The Last Explorers to Gerry Rafferty: Right Down the Line – transferred to the network.

1. Audience event in Glasgow. 2 2. Audience event in Dundee.

11 BBC performance in Scotland against the public purposes 2011/12 continued

BBC Scotland provides high quality, round Bringing the UK to the world and the the year coverage of Scottish life and world to the UK culture through its television and radio At engagement events on BBC News, services. Among the year’s highlights was audiences consistently highlighted the the series Watching Ourselves – 60 Years of value of the BBC’s global journalism. While Television in Scotland which celebrated the acknowledging the distinctive contribution start of transmissions from Kirk O’Shotts made by some other broadcasters, in 1952 with a look at BBC Scotland’s audiences stressed the value of the BBC’s television legacy in drama, sport, comedy, independence and its ability to dig deeper documentaries and news. into a story. Trust research nevertheless indicates BBC Scotland contributed quality content persistent audience concern about how which enhanced awareness of global Scotland is represented on network and issues in Rowing the Arctic in December BBC Scotland services. Members welcome and Wild About Pandas in February (both a number of recent initiatives taken to BBC One), while BBC ALBA programming address this from the network supply offered valuable exposure to non-UK review to the introduction of a regional perspectives by featuring music from round-up on Reporting Scotland following around the world and in Eòrpa, social the Executive news review. However, issues from across Europe. There was the Council is concerned at the overall lack live streaming of the 2011 World Pipe of progress in addressing these issues: the Band Championship in Glasgow to over significant increase in network production 80 countries. from Scotland in recent years has yet to produce a ‘stand-out’ Scottish property on the network, and the focus on providing a national service on BBC Scotland television and BBC Radio Scotland may mean that regional perspectives have been under-exposed.

1. Making a point at audience event 1 in Glasgow. 2. Council member Amanda Bryan makes a point to Trustees.

12 The Council continues to believe there The profile of BBC Scotland’s online news should be a strategy in conjunction with service continued to strengthen. Members BBC Worldwide to develop a drama brand noted that audiences turned to BBC from Scotland which would resonate with Scotland’s online news service for big stories a global audience. Members noted audience like the storms of December and January, appreciation of BBC Radio Scotland’s or the financial crisis at Rangers in February. Zones, which offer rich resources of music There was work with other organisations and speech on Scottish life and culture to to launch a website for Gaelic learners audiences around the world via overnight www.learngaelic.net in partnership with broadcasting on the web. MG Alba, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and others. Encouraging use of new communications The Council heard that the BBC was technologies in the process of closing down its blogs There was further expansion of the and moving to social network systems. DAB transmitter network in Scotland, Members felt it was important that there and it was noted that the Executive were remained ways for younger audiences to get modelling solutions to improve access to involved with citizenship issues via the BBC. nations’ services on DAB. The Council also noted the successful completion of the switchover to digital television in Scotland. Carriage of BBC ALBA on DTT from June 2011 extended the range of quality content available to audiences in Scotland. Programme makers found ways of using new media to enrich audience experiences, and encourage them to explore the potential of new media. There was innovative use of web and social media to offer supporting material for a wide range of content from BBC Two’s The Culture Show to BBC Radio 3’s Spirit of Schubert week in March and BBC Four’s After Life experiment in the science of decay.

13 Audience Council for Scotland audience priorities for 2012/13

1. Nations variants 3. Services in Scotland Ensure that, in implementation of DQF, the Various editorial changes are proposed focus on services delivering the greatest in DQF for services in Scotland relating value to the greatest number is balanced to sports coverage, BBC Radio Scotland against the need to achieve greater impact speech content, the use of network content in services for the devolved nations. on BBC Radio Scotland, local and regional In particular, ACS believes it will be coverage, radio news output in English and important to look carefully at the Gaelic, daytime output on BBC Radio nan implications of the proposal to phase out Gàidheal, and the right balance of provision nations variants from BBC Two HD. BBC of TV news for audiences in Scotland. Two Scotland is an important element of Members recommend that the Trust Scotland’s national dialogue and BBC Two’s consider seeking regular updates on the ‘knowledge-building’ function cannot be effects of these various editorial changes delivered fully in Scotland without elements to ensure that implementation helps achieve which address specific Scottish needs. improved reach, impact and the strategic Members believe the possible effects of this objectives set in recent service reviews. proposal should be carefully investigated 4. Review of news provision before an irreversible decision is taken. Members were disappointed that the Members would welcome a more detailed Executive review of news provision in response from the Executive on future Scotland did not address what members strategy in Scotland. saw as the key issue of achieving the right 2. Nations content on the networks balance of coverage between Scottish news Similarly, members believe the implications and matters which relate only to other of increased use of nations’ drama and parts of the UK. Members believe the comedy on the networks should be issue is important for the delivery of the more closely examined to ensure there citizenship purpose. is no risk of diluting the integrity of local cultural production. Clear processes should be devised to ensure that the strategy improves representation on the networks, but protects the distinctiveness and cultural- specificity of content from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – and from the regions of England. The Council would also welcome clear processes and targets being set out for the proposed further shifts of commissioning and production leadership to outside of London. In particular, members would welcome a clear commitment to a network supply process for radio, as there is for TV.

14 Audience Council for Scotland

Bill Matthews Neelam Bakshi Alison Bigrigg

Amanda Bryan Beth Culshaw Mary Duffy

David Garrick Munwar Hussain Mike Keggans

Jamie Kinlochan Matthew MacIver Callum Thomson

15 Contacts

If you wish to find out more about If you have a view which you think the BBC’s year – including full financial should inform the Audience Council’s statements and each service’s performance understanding of local audience needs, or against its Statement of Programme Policy – you would like to find out more about the then please visit Council’s activities, please visit our website www.bbc.co.uk/annualreport or contact: If you want to know more about how BBC Audience Council Scotland the BBC is run then please visit Zone G11 www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc 40 Pacific Quay BBC Audience Services is our audience’s Glasgow virtual front door to the BBC. If you have a G51 1DA question, comment, complaint or suggestion The Trust’s main number: 03700 103 100* about BBC programmes and services, then Email: [email protected] please write to us here: www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/who_we_ BBC Audience Services are/audience_councils/scotland PO Box 1922 * 03700 numbers are called ‘UK wide’ and cost no more Darlington than calls to 01 or 02 geographic numbers. DL3 0UR 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* Fax: 0141 307 5770 www.bbc.co.uk/feedback