24·11·09 Week 47 explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ariel THE BBC NEWSPAPER
Watching what we eat, 30 years of a the food programme Page 7 p h otograp h: bassett mark
Pictured front: Timuchin Dindjer and Bindu Chander, with Karen Gregory, Amey Lee, Natalie Hewit and Sarah Pickard
Kew up for world record: BBC a tree in one hour on December 5 to earn a will also be giving away six native ◆Breathing Places gives its Tree O’Clock spot in the Guinness Book of Records and tree species via garden centres and scheme a final push at Kew Gardens. It send oxygen levels rocketing. the Forestry Commission. For more wants as many people as possible to plant Marking National Tree Week, the scheme information: bbc.co.uk/treeoclock ◆ Radioplayer partners ◆ Huge staff effort to ◆ Grin and bear it: plan one-stop shop for cover the Cumbrian staff fundraising for UK stations Page 2 floodsPage 3 Children In Need Page 16
> NEWS 2-4 WEEK AT WORK 8-9 OPINION 10 MAIL 11 JOBS 14 GREEN ROOM 16 < 162 News aa 00·00·08 24·11·09 Industry-wide Radioplayer NEWS BITES a Victoria Derbyshire will broadcast live from Harare on would deliver 400 stations December 2 in the first full BBC programme from Zimbabwe since Room 2316, White City by Cathy Loughran But internet-only stations need not apply the ban on the corporation was 201 Wood Lane, London W12 7TS in phase one – a restriction slammed as ‘pro- lifted earlier this year. She will 020 8008 4228 u The proposed new UK Radio Player tectionism’ by Sun Radio presenter Jon Gaunt, also present two programmes from Editor would be a shot in the arm for the industry and speaking on a different Media Festival platform. Cape Town on December 4: her Candida Watson 02-84222 a boost for all online listening, says Tim Davie. ‘The reasons for going with licensed serv- regular morning show on 5 live, ices in the first stage is so that we can work with Deputy editor Developed through a partnership between the and a live broadcast of the World BBC, RadioCentre, Global Radio and Guardian a manageable number of stations and have the Cup draw between 1730-1900. Cathy Loughran 02-27360 Media Group, the single player is a one-stop reassurance that content is editorially within the Chief writer shop for 400 Ofcom-licenced services, includ- Ofcom code,’ Davie explained. Security correspondent Frank Sally Hillier 02-26877 ing local, community and student radio stations. What about separation of the BBC from ad- Gardner has received an AMI (Ability Features editor By next summer, users could be listening live vertising? ‘Within the BBC space, there is no Media International) Award. The Clare Bolt 02-27445 and searching for content by subject, genre, danger of commercialisation. Pop up the Radio 1 awards are for individuals ‘who Broadcast Journalists musical style, even individual song titles. Tap in console and there is clearly no advertising. Click have demonstrated, or fostered, Laura Scarrott 02-84224 a postcode and get the local services covering outstanding and sustained Claire Barrett 02-27368 your area, then store favourite stations. artistic excellence which is Art editor The plan is for all BBC services to be on UK inclusive [and] inspirational’. Ken Sinyard 02-84229 Radioplayer. Commercial stations that sign up Business co-ordinator are free to run adverts, on-demand audio, click- Journalists at World Service news to-buy music services and other revenue-rais- and current affairs department Silvana Romana 02-84228 ing material with their live streams. It’s a com- are being asked to vote on Mark Ariel mail mon technical standard, not a website, and the Thompson’s salary and whether [email protected] pop-up console is launched via stations’ own it should be reduced. The NUJ Ariel online explore.gateway.bbc.uk/ariel sites – looking the same, with the same func- poll runs until December 1. tionality, regardless of which station is playing. Unveiling the project at last week’s Media The entire collection of Blackadder Guest contributors this week Festival in Manchester, the director of audio and is now available to download music said the player was the result of ‘collabo- from the iTunes Store, marking GARY BUTCHER is an Essex man rative thinking across the industry’. Its aim is to 20 years since the series last finding a fresh challenge in the grow online listening, currently at two percent. on a new station, and it’s like clicking through appeared on screen. In addition Midlands. Page 14 The BBC’s involvement will need go ahead links to a different news site.’ BBC Audiobooks has launched The from the BBC Trust, but even that approvals Might such a user-friendly development hit Complete Collected cd series. process has still to be decided, Davie admits: take up of DAB? ‘The impact on DAB adoption EMILY KASRIEL takes the multi- ‘We’re having detailed discussions with the trust should be minimal as the Radioplayer primarily Charlotte Elston has partner approach on a whistle-stop to see what approvals will be needed,’ he said. targets people sitting at computers who are lis- been appointed director of tour of Australasia. Page 15 Davie stopped short of making comparison tening to very little live radio at the moment.’ communications, BBC Worldwide. with the Open iPlayer plan, recently refused by With a planned launch in the first half of 2010, She succeeds Ali Jeremy, who has the trust because the proposal was too com- UK Radioplayer would be on desktops, and on joined BT Retail. Until last month plex, with insufficient separation between its sites like Facebook, before moving to mobile: Elston was group communications BBC Jobs 0370 333 1330 commercial and public service aspects. ‘We are looking to move beyond the desktop director for Aegis Group plc. Jobs textphone 028 9032 8478 ‘What makes the Radioplayer so exciting is within 12 months of launch but there will be a lot that it is genuinely open to every player in the of work to do to get there,’ Davie says. Nick Betts, head of commercial BBC Jobs John Clarke 02-27143 market. We’ll demand minimum standards for and business development at the Room 2120, White City, London W12 7TS audio and quality of the console, but beyond l Digital radio switchover date – Page 4 BBC Commercial Agency, will Advertise in Ariel that, barriers to entry are low,’ Davie said. l Partnership ambitions – Page 10 explain the role of the agency Ten Alps Media 020 7878 2313 in securing pre-production www.bbcarielads.com investment and exploiting the BBC’s rights on December 9 in Printing EXPECT PEOPLE TO CHANGE CHANNELS Room G418, White City. For more Garnett Dickinson Group Tim Davie’s announcement tening habits radically. has of reaching out to commer- details, visit: http://sites.gateway. Rotherham 01709 768000 of the Radioplayer is one that However, there are some cial radio. The player may serve bbc.co.uk/productionuncovered/ Subscribe to Ariel has been quite rightly applaud- questions that the player to introduce loyal and hard- linkto/meet-the-expert . Six months: £26, £36, £40 ed within the radio industry. prompts. At the moment only ened commercial radio listen- Twelve months: £50, £60, £68 Davie’s appointment as the di- Ofcom stations will be able ers to the wider variety of BBC Entry to W12 car parks is being (prices for UK, Europe, rest of world rector of BBC audio and music to be featured. This may have programmes they were una- changed to an automated barrier respectively) has seen a new era of glasnost been satisfactory in the old ware of, such as Radio 2’s rich system (from November 24 at Centre Cheques to: Garnett Dickinson Print, with commercial radio and this world of frequency regula- seam of documentaries or Ra- House and from December 2 at initiative is the latest manifes- tion but radio is now changing dio 1’s specialist music shows. Wood Lane multi storey). People Brookfields Way, Manvers, tation of that. For the BBC to quickly. Major radio entrants Were this to happen, then the will need their BBC ID cards to Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham S63 5DL use its technical expertise as a such as the Guardian and the goodwill behind the player access the car parks and also will Tel 01709 768199 means of furthering online lis- Sun are producing online-only, may unravel rather faster than have to display a daily ticket or a INFORMATION IN AN EMERGENCY tening for all of UK radio is to be stimulating and well made the speed with which the BBC disabled/gold/newsgathering pass Telephone 0800 0688 159 welcomed. Commercial radio radio content outside of - commercial radio deal has prominently. Bicycle access does not Ceefax Page 159 www.bbc.co.uk/159 is suffering, and will continue Ofcom’s grasp. Is there a been agreed. change. Cyclists need to dismount Ariel is produced by Internal to do so financially, for the missed opportunity not to in- and use the pedestrian gate. Communications for people at the BBC foreseeable future. The BBC’s clude their content along with audience figures are at a record much of the podcast-only ma- INNOVATORS FROM around the BBC high, so the political sense in terial gaining attention, such as will get together in London and reaching out to commercial ra- the Sony award-winning Manchester on Friday to talk about dio is an obvious, but still brave Answer Me This podcast. their work at the latest BeeBCamp. move from Davie. Intriguingly, the player of- The event is sold out in London but The player can only serve fers the possibility of a loyal there are still spaces in Manchester. to further enrich the listening listener to one sort of radio To register, visit beebcamp.org experience, particularly if it will station ending up discovering be able, as suggested, to not completely new sorts of pro- Steve Ackerman is MD of Some- BBC Pride is holding a Christmas PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY OF ARIEL just search programmes but grammes on another compet- thin’ Else, the digital and radio drinks event on December 1 at elements within programmes, ing station. Imagine a Radio 3 independent production com- the Shadow Lounge, Soho, from such as travel and sports bul- listener who searches for clas- pany, responsible for BBC net- 7pm. See the BBC Pride website letins. Clever programming by sical music and then chooses work programmes including on Gateway for further details radio stations may help to take to listen to Classic FM. Paradox- Judge Jules and Essential Mix advantage of this even further ically, this effect may turn on its for Radio 1, Jazz on 3, Gardeners’ A new wiki has been set up for and indeed change online lis- head the good intentions Davie Question Time and 606. internal video production. To read or contribute, go to tinyurl.com/yb2j2re
> ARIEL ONLINE: BBC NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – EXPLORE.GATEWAY.BBC.CO.UK/ARIEL< a 24·11·09 News 3 photograph: mark robertson mark photograph: Stranded in Cockermouth, new reporter files for network Fresh out of uni and in at the deep end on big story by Sally Hillier worked many extra hours to follow developments A rookie reporter, fresh out of and keep people updated, university, played a key role in prompting numerous calls covering the Cumbria floods. and emails from apprecia- With virtually no experi- tive listeners. ence of live reporting, Sarah ‘We are glued, and find Corker, who completed her your station a real lifeline,’ masters degree in broadcast said one. ‘Thank you for journalism only two months your brilliant work through ago, found herself filing from this crisis.’ Cockermouth for local and Another commented: network outlets. ‘Radio Cumbria and as- She even became part of the sociated website has story when she was stranded been the main source overnight in a hotel that flooded of practical informa- Grim times: Radio and lost all power. She feared ‘wa- Inundated: Cockermouth and, inset, Sarah Corker tion for so many of Cumbria’s Mike ter was going to pour through us,’ while another said: Parr interviews the walls’ and after a sleepless ‘I was in Market Square all in Cockermouth ‘Cumbria is grateful for all local MP Tony night, she got up at 4am and day and saw one other reporter – has received warm your hard work and is reliant Cunningham in ‘waded out to get the latest from from the local paper,’ she says. praise. ‘[Her] material was first on you at such a testing time.’ Cockermouth the nearest policeman’. Her mobile phone ‘didn’t stop class – what an effort,’ said Phil There was praise too from She was deployed to Cock- ringing’ with requests for updates Roberts, head of region, North Andy Cooper, editor of Look ermouth early on Thursday by and two-ways, not just from Radio east and Cumbria, while Paul North News, for his team’s ef- Newscopter shows scale of FLOOD Radio Cumbria, which she joined Cumbria and other local stations, Waters, senior broadcast journal- forts, particularly on Friday. in September on a temporary but from the News Channel, ist at 5 live, commended her ‘bril- ‘Children in Need night, on Newsgathering deployed up the country as teams moved in basis. Shortly after she arrived in Radio 5 live and Look North. liant’ two-way for the Richard its own, is one of the busiest to 40 people to the Cumbrian and out. The newscopter was the town, water started rising at It was a big test for someone Bacon show. days of the year. Add to that floods, although not all at the over the flood zone by 0900 an alarming rate – ‘I had to keep whose previous experience of The floods have placed huge a double OB in Cumbria, and same time. on Friday, sending live pictures moving the radio car to higher live broadcasts amounted to lit- demands on Radio Cumbria, you realise what we achieved. Correspondents, producers, which showed the extent of the ground’ – making it difficult for tle more than the odd interview which has been broadcasting Friday’s coverage throughout crews and satellite trucks were flooding and the damage others to reach the area. with town councillors. Her work through the night. Staff have the day was top class.’ sent from different parts of to bridges.
Faulty phones cause It’s the end as Tennant takes his leave programme problems by Sabi Phagura the season will be marked with Midnight Mass from Westminster Cathedral, and After a fortnight of prob- who worked with Siemens A brutal murder in the Square – it can a live broadcast from Chester Cathedral lems the telephone sys- on the fix, told Ariel the only be Christmas in Walford. of the morning service on Christmas tem in BBC buildings delay between tracking The BBC has unveiled its Christ- Day. Aled Jones will present Songs of across England was re- down the problem and mas highlights with new programmes, Praise from Jerusalem. paired on November 22. repairing it was because special editions of old favourites and For children BBC One has an anima- The fault caused mul- they had to be absolute- strong storylines from EastEnders and tion of the hugely popular book The tiple internal and exter- ly sure the ‘patch’ would Doctor Who. Gruffalo, with Robbie Coltrane voicing nal calls not to connect; work first time. David Tennant (pictured) is bidding the Gruffalo. phones were ‘dropping He said: ‘The BBC and farewell to the role in two-part special BBC Two takes a look at the story out’; callers were cut off; Siemens insist that all ‘fix- The End of Time, in which he once again behind one of the world’s most ad- held calls disappeared es’ are thoroughly test- faces his fellow Time Lord, the lunatic mired Nativity paintings, Botticelli’s and transferred calls ed before application. Master, played by John Simm. Mystic Nativity. didn’t go through. Siemens has staff work- And Tennant is also a central part The Balletboyz will offer their own Live programmes in ing flat out on this, and of BBC Two’s Christmas line-up, as the interpretation of Stravinsky’s Rite of both network and local has called in extra help to channel features the Royal Shakespeare Spring on BBC Three, and BBC Four will radio complained of ‘los- speed things up.’ Company’s award-winning production honour the work of Orson Welles with a ing’ guests, and of mem- On Monday afternoon of Hamlet, with Tennant in the title role. season of films and documentaries. bers of the public not be- he said there had been no Back in the 21st century, EastEnders The channel also presents a new ing able to phone in. serious complaints about villain Archie will come to a brutal end, production of Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s One staff member told the system since the re- but the question is whodunnit? Christmas in Wales, starring Ruth Ariel: ‘It just makes us pair, and he was satisfied Comedy highlights include Jones. look unprofessional.’ it had worked. However, The Catherine Tate Show, Gavin Other dramas include an adaptation The service provid- that afternoon another and Stacey, The Royle Family of Henry James’s classic ghost story ers, Siemens, were made fault emerged affecting and Victoria Wood’s Mid-Life The Turn Of The Screw while Judi Dench aware of the problems on phones in London offices. Crisis. stars in a further two episodes of the morning of November Internal calls would not Strictly Come Dancing Cranford. 10. By November 12 they’d connect. fans have a treat in store, Jana Bennett, director of vision, identified the cause – a da- BBC Wales was not af- because as well as the said: ‘There is something for everyone.’ tabase error on the HiPath fected, as it uses an en- final of the current run From early December you can ac- 8000, one of two servers tirely different phone sys- there is also a Christ- cess sneak previews and tips on festive which provides the BBC’s tem, while BBC Scotland mas special. catering and open a CBeebies advent phone service in England. and BBC Northern Ireland The religious spirit of calendar at bbc.co.uk/christmas. Mark Moran, head of get their phones via a dif- service assurance, FM&T, ferent server.
4 News a 24·11·09
PHOTOGRAPH: NASA,ESA, CXC an CXC NASA,ESA, PHOTOGRAPH: David by Candida Watson Okuefuna Radio 3 and the BBC Philharmonic have joined together to boldly go where no orchestra has gone before – back to the Dawn of Time. They have commissioned a new piece of music from composer Alan d JPLC Williams to celebrate the ‘Big Bang’.
altech The new work, Wonder: A Scientific Oratorio, will be premiered in the Maxwell Hall at Salford University on Friday November 27, where the BBC Philharmonic will be joined by the BBC Singers and Salford Choral Soci- ety, conducted by Tecwyn Evans. To enhance the space theme, the- atre designer David Millard will deco- rate the concert hall as a ‘cosmic garden’, and a montage of stunning New face for images of deep space, taken by the Hubble telescope, will be projected Scotland Arts around the room. Astronomers from the University David Okuefuna is to join the Scotland Arts of Manchester’s Jodrell Bank Centre unit for factual programmes as creative direc- for Astrophysics will also be there tor of arts. to answer audience questions and, The role was created to manage the pro- if the autumn storms have passed grammes the unit will produce as a result through and the skies are clear, they of the network supply review: these include will have telescopes set up to survey Imagine and Newsnight Review (Liz Gibbons, sen- the heavens before the evening per- ior producer of Newsnight Review will join Scot- formances. land Arts in the same role when the programme Composer Alan Williams is the son moves in 2010). of an astrophysicist and describes Okuefuna, who takes up his new post in Jan- his new work as ‘the fulfilment of a uary, is currently a channel executive across lifetime’s ambition.’ He said: ’Bringing BBC Two and BBC Four. Previously he was an together the worlds of science and editor in the BBC Arts Studio. music in an oratorio is something I’ve always dreamed of. I’m doubly proud that the first work of this kind, which includes real scientific information All change in both words and music, is coming out of Salford.’ 2009 has been the International Year of Astronomy, and at Natural is also the 40th anniversary of the moon landings. History Unit There will be three performances of Wonder: A Scientific Oratorio, on n The new head of the Natural History Unit, Friday November 27 at 7pm, and on Andrew Jackson, has announced his first senior Saturday 28 at 4pm and 7pm. appointments. More information and booking Mike Gunton, executive producer of Life be- details can be found at comes the NHU’s first creative director; Chris Promotional image for ‘Wonder: A Scientific Oratorio’ bbc.co.uk/philharmonic. Cole, currently head of development, becomes deputy head of the unit; former NHU head Neil Nightingale will combine programme making with his new role as creative director of BBC Earth for Worldwide, looking at ways to grow Digital date for national Asian Network soap the international audience. The other appointment is Gavin Henderson, formerly head of programmes for Presentable, radio stations to be replaced who joins the NHU to work on new programme formats. Making sure all national radio There would be two specific The Asian Network is to axe its soap Silver Street, which launched stations are digital from the end obligations on ISPs (internet serv- in 2004 and has been dubbed the ‘Asian Archers’. of 2015 is among the provisions ice providers): the notification of After starting as a ten minute broadcast, the drama has of the Digital Economy Bill, pub- unlawful file sharing activity and, been gradually scaled back and now has a five minute slot, Bush House Carol Service lished November 20. for alleged serial-infringers, colla- which will disappear altogether in March, to be replaced by The plan is to switch off the tion of data to allow rights hold- 10 or 12 30-minute plays each year. Monday 7 December analogue signal, which would ers to obtain court orders to force ‘Silver Street has played an important role establishing the mean millions of radio sets would the release of personal details, en- Asian Network as a national station,’ says controller Andy become obsolete, at least as far as abling legal action to be taken. Parfitt. ‘The production team, writers and cast can be proud receiving national stations is con- Among the other measures of what they’ve achieved. However, as with all long-run- cerned, although they could be are further new duties for Ofcom: ning series, it’s important to assess their value and impact 1310 – 1400 used for local and community sta- first, to promote investment in for the investment made and we’ve decided that there is a St Mary-le-Strand (opposite the Strand entrance at the back of Bush House) tions. As is readily acknowledged communications infrastructure better way to deliver drama to our audiences.’ within the radio industry, switch- and content alongside its duties The decision has been criticised by the Writers’ Guild, SPEAKER: ing off analogue is unlikely to be to promote competition; second, describing it as a ‘threat to radio production’ in Birming- THE REVD. MARK WAKEFIELD Head of Performance, BBC Trust a popular move and will require a to carry out a full assessment of ham.
‘big sell’ to convince listeners that the UK’s communications infra- ‘The axing of Silver Street would represent a significant EVERYONE WELCOME Retiring Collection in aid of it is worth doing. structure every two years. loss of opportunity for talented writers from many back- – regardless of Somali SBJ Kati Isse’s project background or belief to send tents to displaced The Digital Economy Bill also The Digital Economy Bill fol- grounds – as well as actors and producers – in the West Mid- people in Somalia proposes creating a more robust lows the Digital Britain White Pa- lands,’ says a Guild spokesman. ‘New half-hour drama is a legal and regulatory framework per, prepared by communications highly welcome idea but it should be in addition to rather to combat illegal file sharing and minister Stephen Carter and pub- than instead of Silver Street.’ other forms of online copyright lished in June, which set out the Offering reassurance, Alison Hindell, head of radio infringement, and giving Ofcom government’s ambition to make drama, says: ‘The new drama strand will cover a broad a new responsibility to reduce the UK one of the world’s leading selection of stories and styles designed to deliver a higher this practice. digital knowledge economies. profile for the genre.’ a 24·11·09 Features 5 PHOTOGRAPH: a PHOTOGRAPH:
Big in Sheffield: 1Xtra’s Rebecca Frank
and Laura Lukanz with nn British rapper Kano, a gor
one of the acts on the bill d o n
SIZing UP playlist by Adam Bambury the year, who they’ll be most excit1XTRA- blurred beyond recognition, thanks minutes slot in Coventry, this year is ‘We’re not just plonking ourselves ed to see,’ she says. ‘We also want to to a resurgence of black music in the a UK only event – and proud of it. ‘UK there and leaving, it’s about leading ‘We’ve never done anything this give the artists we’ve supported the charts this year. Breakthrough acts artists have finally been getting the up to the event and making sure we size,’ admits 1Xtra exec producer chance to perform in front of a mas- like Tinchy Stryder and Dizzee Rascal credit they deserve this year,’ Frank keep connections afterwards.’ Rebecca Frank. ‘You have an instinct, sive audience.’ have managed to turn underground says. ‘They’ve been putting in a lot of They needn’t have worried: 1Xtra but you never know how these things While chart-troubling acts like roots – in this case the off-kilter men- work and it makes sense to celebrate listeners queued through the night are going to go.’ She’s talking about boy band JLS will be riding high on ace of grime – into Top 40 gold. that. It’s not compromising – these to get the first batch of tickets, adver- 1Xtra live, the station’s annual con- the bill, she’s keen to point out that Unlike last year’s event, which are the ones who’ve shone.’ tised via Bebo and Myspace. The rest cert which showcases the best in success in the mainstream is not the relied on the willingness of Ameri- The event is being simulcast on sold out in a day, swamping the five black music. In its second year, it’s only factor influencing an artist’s can acts to cross the Atlantic for a 30 1Xtra and Radio 1 – another nod to man box office with calls. Evidently doubled in size and will take place presence. Lukanz cites funky house the current mass appeal of British things have come a long way from in the cavernous 12,000 seater Shef- maestro Donae’o (a man so under- ‘urban’ music. Westwood is present- 1Xtra’s infancy back in 2002. field Arena. ground he doesn’t even have a Wiki- ‘UK artists ing his show from the empty arena as ‘It was hard to convince people that The bill has to reflect all of 1Xtra’s pedia entry) and live drum and bass the stage is assembled, while 1Xtra’s there was a market for this kind of playlist, while being populist enough act Chase and Status as prime exam- Target is broadcasting from a house music,’ remembers Lukanz. ‘It’s amaz- to fill the arena – a delicate balance ples of 1Xtra keeping it real. have shone party in a Sheffield student flat. The ing now to see these artists being for the network’s music manager Even so, both she and Frank point team has been at pains to get to grips invested in. We’ve been chipping away Laura Lukanz, who is in charge of out that the boundaries between this year’ with the city before they arrive with and supporting these acts when no the line up. ‘We look for the acts the mainstream and underground – their urban extravaganza. ‘We’ve all other radio station would touch them audience has connected with over and indeed ‘urban’ and pop – have REBECCA FRANK been up there on recces,’ says Frank. with a barge pole – and it’s paid off.’ Black holes or revelations?
I didn’t expect to feel excited about altered the musical landscape at the switching on the radio and finding time of its release. In the past he’s Clare Bolt joins Zane Lowe as he reveals Metallica’s black album broadcast in played out (in full) Led Zeppelin IV, full. Radiohead’s OK Computer, Libertines’ this year’s Masterpiece series But propelled by the force of Zane Up the Bracket and Pink Floyd’s Dark through it and it made sense. The hit of free publicity when they have a Lowe’s enthusiasm, I start to wonder Side of the Moon. Streets Original Pirate Material has influ- new album out is also a no-no, and if if I might be missing out. ‘50 million Isn’t it a bit ambitious hoping that enced everyone from Dizzy Rascal to you’re playing an album out full and sales in the US alone!’ he declares on the attention deficit iPod generation Lily Allen. Do not forget the impact it had uncensored, the lyrics need to be tak- air. ‘Remixed three times! One million will tune into an entire album? Possi- on culture and on music in general!’ en into consideration. Last time Rage pounds to make and the album that bly. But the idea is to explain, contex- He goes on to reveal he’ll be play- Against the Machine made the cut, but single-handedly introduced heavy tualise, and open people’s ears to how ing Daft Punk’s Discovery ‘who influ- at the expense of Eminem: ‘Obvious- metal to the mainstream!’ an artist sounds when played in full. enced the likes of Calvin Harris’ and ly we don’t want to censor ourselves,’ Metallica is one of four ‘master- ‘It’s about the craft,’ Zane reasons. The Clash’s 1979 London Calling. Zane says, ‘but two big sweary albums piece’ albums that he’ll be playing in ‘Music has becomes itemised and the As the albums are announced and felt like too much.’ full on his show in the next month. art form of the album has suffered. In the texts start flooding in, the dj ad- Cherry-picked by Zane, producer Kat the last few years, we’ve tried to shine mits to taking a ‘macabre’ pleasure Which Masterpiece albums did you Wong and ap Sam Rumney, the crite- a spotlight on the album and its place to negative feedback. ‘Everyone wants choose? Find out at Ariel Online rion is simple: the album must have in pop.’ us to play Muse’s Black Holes and Revela- And we’re on to the second mas- tions, but we couldn’t place one Muse terpiece. ‘This album was album over an- hotly debated...and I other,’ he says, wavered,’ Zane con- admitting the Zane’s first choice fides to the listeners. argument ‘is a bit (Siamese Dream by ‘One person brought of a weird one’. Smashing Pumpkins) us back. We scrolled Giving an artist a didn’t make the cut
6 Features a 24·11·09 Why social media is no fad p h o t
Do you really need to tweet at work? o g r a
Absolutely, says the Future Media controller p h Meet Alex – @AlexGubbay : MA R by Sue Llewellyn missing social media platforms like twit- K BASSETT ter as mass naval-gazing, he says jour- ‘I’ve taken it on the chin,’ bring the knowledge gleaned we need to get it in that space ‘If we don’t engage with social media, nalists are beginning to realise their smiles Alex Gubbay. When the from his current role to so that we’re being used and we could become irrelevant.’ The stark enormous potential as a resource tool, as BBC announced that he was to improve audience interaction we are relevant,’ he says. warning comes from Nic Newman, future Rory Cellan-Jones can verify. be the first social media edi- in News. ‘Everyone working in the media’s controller in Journalism. When asked to cover a story on a new tor in News the twittersphere ‘In Sport, we pioneered media needs to be aware of If Newman is something of an evan- form of battery technology he knew noth- went into overdrive, as fellow the use of live online text the importance of social net- gelist, he has just returned from a three ing about, @ruskin147 (Cellan-Jones) journalists pounced on the commentaries,’ he says. ‘And works and social media. We month sabbatical funded by the College appealed to his 12,000 twitter followers. fact that he was not only a when there was a big story we need to know how we can use of Journalism, where he was looking at In no time he was given the name of one newcomer to twitter, but had integrated texts into twitter these networks to improve social media and implications for main- of the world’s leading experts and was on yet to post a tweet. updates from our reporters, our journalism.’ stream journalism – and his 22,000 word his way to Bath to interview him. Alterna- ‘To be honest, I’ve not had or with opinion from other His appointment as thesis should be critical reading for any- tively, for twitter newcomers with limited much of interest to tell peo- social networks.’ social media editor is the one working in news. followers, the new system of lists can give ple,’ he says. ‘When I knew I When he takes up the post latest event in an ‘interesting’ you a ready-made selection of journalists was going for this role I took in January he’ll be tasked with couple of months. or specialists to follow. a deliberate decision to keep managing the newsroom’s ‘I got married, moved It you want a social media baptism of off twitter. It’s a big part of UGC and with using social house and had a baby. Get- fire, it’s worth signing up for CoJo’s new what we do, but it’s not the media tools to enhance the ting this job has capped it all one day course, Making the Web Work for You only thing. Being social media content of news stories, har- off for me. I’ve got a really Part 1, which launched last week. Here you editor doesn’t mean I need to nessing the work of the exist- exciting set of projects to get will learn how to exploit social media for be a crazy twitter evangelist!’ ing team. And there are many stuck into next year and lots contacts, source the best and most up-to- In any case, he reasons that spaces the BBC should be of opportunity to make some date pictures or video and where to find he has a sound track record exploring. ‘If people are us- impact.’ story ideas or get on top of breaking news. of working in the social media ing Google, Delicious, Twitter Traditional news organisations are using space. or YouTube, we need to make Alex Gubbay starts his Far from being a fad, Newman argues these new internet tools to enhance their As the news editor for sure we’re getting to them. job as social media editor, that social media has created a fundamen- reporting of everything from the Iranian sport interactive, he hopes to When we’ve got good stuff, news, in January tal shift in the way people communicate elections to the death of Michael Jackson. and consume news. He maintains that it Newman argues that what you put in, is no longer enough just to deliver news; you get back. Engaging the audience in the BBC needs actively to seek out new two-way conversations and ‘crowdsourc- audiences and engage them in conversa- ing’ content (asking the audience for tions on many different platforms. help) will reap dividends both in terms ‘There’s a real danger in thinking that of newsgathering and audience engage- social media is just another thing we have ment. ‘Taking social media seriously to do when we’re already overstretched,’ doesn’t mean you have to leave your core Newman says. ‘But the key is how it fits in values behind,’ Newman says. ‘But organ- with your normal workflow.’ isations that fail to embrace the power of Within the BBC, guidelines are being the network will struggle to survive.’ rewritten, social media editors appointed, Read Nic Newman’s thesis at: and training is under way. Instead of dis- tinyurl.com/Newmanreport Twitter with care – compliance ahead
Think before you tweet is the simple mes- want to achieve from it, he says. ‘Will it be sage for BBC journalists. personality-driven or a programme account? Although there are around 180 BBC twit- What sort of character should it have? How ter accounts, only one – political corre- much time will it take and how will it be spondent Laura Kuenssberg’s @BBCLauraK staffed? If it is an official BBC account, two ‘The solution – has been approved and given the official pairs of eyes should have seen what is be- BBC prefix by the editorial board. ing published – are mechanisms in place for online is to The task of clearing up the ‘grey areas’ that?’ around twitter policy in BBC News has fall- They are also looking at the policy make less en to sbj Trushar Barot (@Trushar) and on- around journalists who have personal twit- line features editor Giles Wilson (@gillis). ter accounts: should they be policed? ‘Some but ensure it They’re hoping to publish guidelines early US publications have taken a very firm stand next year which will clarify how BBC jour- but we think that’s too hardline and restric- can be found nalists should operate on the site. tive,’ Barot says. ‘How would you go about Barot says they are trying to strike a del- policing it? Other big issues are things like and shared’ icate balance between setting out guide- ‘retweeting’ [passing on someone else’s lines and not being ‘overbearing in terms tweet] – does that imply an endorsement? of restrictions’. So the new rules for twit- Who are they, what’s their agenda, is it ter will follow the same principles of the political, are you somehow inadvertently BBC’s existing social media guidelines. promoting or advertising a product?’ Essentially, don’t say anything on twitter Making journalists aware of potential pitfalls that you wouldn’t say on air, don’t be rude and internet etiquette is one of the key elements and don’t reveal sensitive information about of CoJo’s new social media workshop, Making the the BBC. Before reporters set up a twitter Web Work for You Part 1. To look for upcoming account they should consider what they courses see tinyurl.com/cojosocial a 24·11·09 Features 7 Hard facts on a plate between food and politics, food and For 30 years now, social issues, food and health. In Brit- ain, working first as a reporter, then R4’s The Food producer of the programme that Derek Cooper dreamt up in 1979 Programme has and presented until 2002, Dillon set about revealing these relationships been examining with a disregard for officialdom and a nose for obfuscation. what we eat The Food Programme was first to alert people to the disturbing Food follower: Sheila Dillon by Claire Barrett potential of the new disease in cattle. has investigated everything ‘The official line was that there was from the World Trade ‘In a way we were lucky to get no problem with BSE – no chance of Organisation to low fat foods BSE,’ proclaims Sheila Dillon. ‘It it jumping species,’ Dillon tells Ariel. concentrated the minds wonderfully But on a visit to the Medical Research on where our food came from. You Council laboratories in Edinburgh turned on the tv and saw cows fall- she asked the main researcher wheth- from The Honey Show conveying its this week, rewarding ‘those who work but I was feeding them to my baby.’ ing over. That never happened in any er he had changed his diet in light of ‘pleasure and quirkiness’, a feature under the radar of the mass media’. She began to read up about pesticide other country.’ BSE. ‘He said he no longer ate proc- on Shetland’s new tradition of com- Dillon’s own interest in food grew residue limits. ‘Now there’s an inter- The presenter of Radio 4’s The Food essed meats, sausages, pies... Ahh.’ munity teas, or a travelogue from from the local farms that supplied esting subject, I thought.’ Programme – which is celebrating 30 Another probe claiming that Piedmont’s Slow Food cheese event. her Lancastrian village with fresh Dillon has only praise for those tv years on air – moved to London from hydrogenated fats were more danger- ‘Everybody should go,’ urges Dillon. produce, but it was when she moved chefs who’ve made a mint from the New York just after the UK’s first ous than saturated fats had the food The weekly programme – which to the US – ‘it was such a shock how kind of food campaigning she’s been case of mad cow disease was diag- industry on fast-dial to its lawyers. also covered the first farmers’ mar- awful the food was’ – that it triggered doing for years. ‘I admire Jamie Oliver nosed in 1986. She’d been writing a ‘They said we were maligning, libel- ket, told the organic story and fol- journalistic ambition. News emerged almost more than anybody,’ she insists. column for a ‘fairly radical’ US food lous, but we were ahead of the curve. lowed the first steps of Fair Trade – has that pesticide had seeped into the ‘He’s used his fortune in the most im- magazine, making early connections These days you won’t find a single also been celebrating the ‘remarka- Long Island aquifer, causing people aginative way. We’d done a lot of stuff between food and economics. ‘People spread containing hydrogenated fats.’ ble people who are keeping British who were drinking the water to be- on school dinners, but you need some- didn’t think that the growing pow- The programme went on to win the food alive’. It launched its first BBC come ill. ‘I reasoned that if it was in body like Jamie to popularise the issue. er of supermarkets, for instance, had Glaxo Science prize. Food and Farming Awards in 2000, the water, it must be in the potatoes, It’s odd, though, that you need a celeb- any bearing on what they ate or how Hard-hitting at times, the pro- with Prince Charles on hand to lend too. The government insisted pota- rity chef to move the government on their towns looked.’ gramme is always rooted in a celebra- them ‘seriousness and clout’. He’ll be toes were safe in moderation – three something that’s a crying shame.’ Nor did they fully grasp the links tion of food, whether that’s a piece back for the tenth anniversary event and a half a week per adult male – The Food Programme, R4, Sundays LAND OF SPIKE.COM OF LAND ‘I’m a happy swot? I’ll buy that’ by Laura Scarrott later lives. With Lab UK hoping for 10,000 vol- 20 minutes to complete, with questions cov- unteers, it stands to be the largest ever profile ering eight areas, ranging from relationships It has been scientifically proven – I’m of British personality. To help launch it, BBC to health and lifestyle. gregarious, energetic and like socialis- presenters swallowed their pride and agreed At the end, Winston and presenters dis- ing with friends. In other words I’m an that Child of our Time presenter Robert Win- cuss what users’ results mean. Live results will extrovert. ston could deliver a summary of their char- be displayed straight away in a graph, which I’ve just completed The Big Personality acters in the live show. Orwell says is ‘pretty groundbreaking’. Test at Lab UK (bbc.co.uk/labuk), an online sci- ‘My results said I scored highly in the consci- Lab UK’s first online experiment, Brain entific study which measures five key person- entious and agreeable categories,’ says Breakfast Test Britain – which tested whether ‘brain ality traits: extroversion, neuroticism, open- presenter Sian Williams. ‘Does that mean I’m a games’ have any impact – was launched ear- ness, agreeableness and conscientiousness. bit of a swot? All be it a happy one? I’ll buy that. lier this year on Bang Goes the Theory and will The results of the national experiment I’m also pleased that as a tv presenter I scored run for the next year. will be revealed next spring in a two-part spe- low for neuroticism.’ ‘Scientists are excited about the results of cial of BBC One’s Child of our Time. Cambridge Lab UK’s assistant content producer Mike Brain Test Britain, because scientific evidence University scientists will then use the results Orwell, who worked with scientists and psy- that brain testing works is lacking,’ says Or- to help predict how the 25 children featured chologists to develop the questions, is hoping well. ‘They’re hoping to produce journal pa- in the programme might turn out – and how the site will help the public ‘engage with real pers off the back of what we find.’ their personality traits will influence their scientific studies’. The online test takes just bbc.co.uk/labuk/ BBC IN ACTION 8 9
Three colleagues from the FM&T DDO database WHAT TO WEAR administration team have finally completed a par - blogbites achute jump for charity – LJ Rich, producer/ reporter, week@work on their third attempt. BBC Click, TVC The first planned jump Heard the one about the stoat and the was in August but was Where did you buy the outfit you’re prawn? cancelled because of the wearing in the photo? The Conservative leader David Cameron bad weather. S Dress/Crop Jacket: Wal-G; Long Sleeved o was the got an excellent laugh when he pilloried Mr second. But Kim C Top: Dorothy Perkins; Boots: Fioni assells, Brown’s Government Of All The Talents – the Christopher Parker and – Payless Shoesource in New York; so-called Goats – distinguished outsiders Ayden Bissessar finally Leggings: Primark; Knee high socks: H&M; who were brought in as ministers in the flung themselves out of a Accessories: New Look and Pirate Verte Lords without ever standing for election plane last week. with kids or getting their hands dirty in politics. ‘The Our picture shows Kim Where have you taken inspiration from? only jobs this prime minister has created and the parachute Japanese street style, CosPlay and clothes are for his cronies,’ said Mr Cameron, instructor, clearly enjoy with a sense of humour – the new geek chic. - ‘all of whom have repaid his generosity ing the buzz of freefall. by leaving his government at the first The trio organised the Do you need to dress a particular way for opportunity – but of course keeping their skydive to raise money work? well-upholstered seats in the House of for the Institute for C I dress differently for on and off-camera. an- Lords. Never have so many stoats died cer Research – and got I put the boots on especially for Ariel – I in vain. Never mind jobs for the boys – more than £1500 for their have trainers on me for lugging kit around. important point in this list. under this prime minister it’s stoats for bravery. coolThe former controller of children’s, the goats.’ It was a variation on a joke by Thanking all their spon Are you experimental in your style? 4 Invest in building multi- - Michael Heseltine from before the 1992 sors Christopher Park Yes. I like bright colours, dramatic Richard Deverell, on how to make platform skills and experience. - election, when he taunted Labour leaders er said: ‘Would we do it statements and functional as well as In particular we have helped for trying to woo the financial community again? Absolutely. Every practical outfits. This dress has pockets in fun and original websites for children the commissioners for CBBC - with a series of lunches and dinners – what one should give it a go.’ the front, so I can carry tapes, tea money and CBeebies strengthen became known as the prawn cocktail and chocolate bars in them. 1 Test, test and test again. The recent across the web, tv, and mobile. Michael their understanding of the offensive. ‘All those prawn cocktails for relaunch of the CBeebies website involved Carrington, the controller for CBeebies, interactive world and its nothing,’ Mr Heseltine told MPs. ‘Never have Have you had any fashion nightmares? a year of user testing, including repeated commissions for tv, web and radio so that potential for children. so many crustaceans died in vain. With all Of course. That comes with the visits to environments where kids consume single ideas are developed and delivered the authority I can command as secretary of experimental style. our content – in nurseries, and with parents for all three platforms. It brings greater 5 Do everything you can to state for the environment, let me say to the and childminders. We were sure to test the consistency, creativity and efficiencies. attract the best technical people Labour leader ‘save the prawns’.’ Whose wardrobe would you most like to content with both kids and adults. We also and nurture their creativity. The Michael Crick, Newsnight editor rummage through? used eye tracker technology to help us 3 Get designers, technical folk and editorial neat delineation of ‘editorial’ and bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/michaelcrick/ Actually, I should really rummage through understand how children use our content. people to work together from inception ‘technical’ is getting ever more my own, it’s a mess. and at every stage of development blurred and ever less relevant. An apology, an architect and an audience 2 Create integrated teams who work and delivery. This is probably the most with Parky 6 If you seek user- Foreign correspondents often like to boast created content, know that they watch the world unfold from a what you are going to front row seat on history, but at the national do with it and plan accordingly. apology in Canberra on Monday it was standing room only. It was a rare privilege 7 Use the web to its unique strengths; the to be in the Great Hall of Parliament House, user is at the heart of the web experience. MY WEEK AT WORK as Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull sought Our CBBC ident mash up tool allows to right some appalling wrongs. It was children to create their own idents from an extraordinarily rich experience, and I I don’t a kit of parts. The best are then used on Andrea Powell, big attraction. We spent the first the BBC’s Video Nation website, hope we did not intrude on people’s private have many friends at the CBBC channel. This has unleashed national officer for Wales, couple of days of the three day the Community Service Volun- thoughts and very public emotions. The school wonderful creativity from children and Children in Need project learning basic filming teers website and shown on the victims owned the ceremony. To use an provided a free supply of great idents. and interviewing techniques and Community Channel. Seeing the Australianism, good on them. I signed up for Connect and meeting the three young vol- finished film, which included con- Nick Bryan, Sydney Correspondent 8 Be really bold in innovation. The Create’s latest film project, UK unteers whose story we would tributions from Sol Campbell and bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/nickbryant/ audience will experiment. Kill failures Youth Volunteers, as it offered be telling. Adam, who was to be Kate Humble, was a real buzz. quickly and invest in success. BugBears is a the chance to learn new skills the star of our group’s film, had I now hope to be able to film Tough times ahead? great example of this – a site where children that I could apply to my job. won the WCVA Young Volunteer my project visits and collate Is the great British public prepared for can share their concerns and worries I work with organisations that of the Year Award 2009. Later in individual case studies, particu- the tough budget times ahead? We and get feedback and advice from other help disadvantaged children the week we accompanied Adam larly of volunteers who are often recently commissioned a poll to answer children. It recently won an RTS Innovation and young people so, for me, to a community farm in Cwmbran the unsung heroes within the that question. The poll was taken after award and could work only on the web. the opportunity to work with where he worked as a volunteer, organisations funded by Children the party conference season, when the young volunteers from across each of us taking it in turn to work in Need. Conservatives had proposed a one-year pay CBBC’s BugBears website which won an RTS Innovation Award 9 A website can be for life. Treat it as such. the UK, raising the profile of the the camera, sound and act as Similar connect and create freeze for public sector workers earning good work that they do in their the interviewer. We then went to projects can be found at more than £18,000 a year, excluding the communities and encourag- London to oversee the editing of explore.gateway.bbc.co.uk/ armed forces. We asked people about a Andrea Powell with Peggy Holder and Archie Kalyana ing others to do the same was a the film which was uploaded on connectandcreate/ range of options for public sector pay, and COMING UP 90 percent of respondents were in favour of at least one of them. Just under half of BBC Three has commissioned for four, 60 minute episodes. those polled – 48 percent – supported the a pilot of The Inn Mates, a The series, which will see Conservative proposal of a one-year freeze, comedy about a group of people people recreate famous dance for an eventual saving of around £3.2bn who eat Sunday lunch at a pub. moves, will be produced by a year. But only 31 percent would want to Written by John Warburton, a Whizz Kid Entertainment. It was CHANGING PLACES FACT OF LIFE extend it to two years. The most support graduate of the BBC’s college of commissioned for BBC One by was for a 5 percent pay cut for the top 10 comedy training scheme, it will channel controller Jay Hunt and Jemma Bellingham (pictured), Despite colour tv percent of public sector workers, with 56 be made by BBC Comedy North executive editor for comedy multiplatform bj at BBC Lincolnshire, launching 40 years ago, the TV percent in favour. Interestingly, squeezing in Manchester. Commissioned entertainment Jo Wallace who leaves the BBC... Radio Lancashire’s Licensing authority have found the high-earners in the public sector was by channel controller Danny will also exec produce it. assistant editor Ben Thomson begins that 28,000 people are still most popular among the better-off, or ‘ABs’ Cohen and controller of comedy an eight month attachment at Radio tuning in using black and white in the pollsters’ terminology. They came out commissioning Cheryl Taylor, it Psychoville (pictured right) Surrey and Sussex... BBC Wiltshire bj televisions. 64 percent in favour of a pay cut for the top will be exec produced by Michael will return for a second series Ed Hadwin starts an attachment with The first colour tv ranks, compared to 52 percent among ‘C1s’ Jacob and Jon Montague. on BBC Two in 2011. A one-off sport at BBC Bristol for six months... broadcasts began in 1967 on and 54 percent among ‘DE’ or working class special will also tx in winter next Naomi Wellings returns from BBC Two and were rolled out to respondents. Celebrity dance competition year. The programme, made in- maternity leave as sbj for English BBC One and ITV in 1969. Stephanie Flanders, economics editor Let’s Dance For Sport house, will be exec produced by regions religion. bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ Relief will return next year Jon Plowman.
IF YOU HAVE A suggestion FOR who or what should be in WEEK@WORK PLEASE Email clare bolt 10 Opinion/Analysis a 24·11·09
As the BBC and the commercial sector Whoever said DEAL OR unveil plans for a UK NO DEAL Radioplayer, Cathy So where are we with some of the head- Loughran looks at partnerships line deals still in the making, and some of the lesser known BBC partnerships? other collaborations, l Worldwide/Channel 4 talks are now cen- on hold or under way tred on acquisition from Virgin Media of the were easy… BBC’s balancing stake in UKTV. Worldwide already owns 50 percent. Worldwide con- firms that discussions ‘continue around a focused partnership on channels’. ILLUSTRATION: STEPHEN COLLINS STEPHEN ILLUSTRATION: Almost a year ago, Michael Lyons prom- credentials – clearly disappointed that the ised ‘an early Christmas present’ for audi- BBCW/Channel 4 venture will not be in l Project Canvas was delayed when the BBC ences before the end of 2009, if the part- his legacy. Trust asked for more information on the BBC nership proposals Mark Thompson He has described the BBC as executive’s proposals. A further short public had just outlined came good. an unwieldy organisation consultation – on revised BBC plans to open They included opening up the that is difficult to do busi- up the partnership to at least two more PSBs BBC iPlayer to other public serv- ness with and which or internet service providers, with all partners ice broadcasters; sharing re- ran the risk of being taking an equal stake in the venture – closed sources and premises with ‘cut down to size’ last week. Interim conclusions by the trust regional news competitors; if it didn’t partner will again be put out to consultation before exploring a commercial more productively a final decision is published. FM&T director deal, short of a merger, with the industry. Eric Huggers told the Manchester Media Fes- between BBC Worldwide Michael Grade has tival last week that if the trust’s interim de- and Channel 4; sharing been another com- cision did not come by the end of Decem- expertise to build com- mercial sector crit- ber, launch could be delayed until 2011. It had mon industry standards ic, questioning the planned to launch next year. in digital technology; monetary value of and using the BBC web- BBC partnering l The Open iPlayer project to ‘share iPlayer’ site to drive traffic to offers. Last week, was dealt a blow when the trust rejected other public service con- the Society of Ed- proposals to link up UK broadcasters’ tent. A possible content itors conference video on demand services and share sharing scheme with heard criticism that iPlayer technology with broadcasters newspapers was also sug- the BBC offered only internationally, saying the combination gested. a ‘pretence at part- of public service and commercial interests This was the BBC shar- nerships, which serve was ‘too complicated’. The BBC is work- ing some of the benefits its other purposes’. ing on a revised plan, designed to allay the of its scale and security John Tate, BBC direc- trust’s concerns and still deliver some of with the cash-strapped com- tor of policy and strat- the planned benefits to partners and mercial sector, demonstrably egy, takes issue with the audiences. underpinning UK public serv- Duncan view, citing more ice broadcasting, and hoping to than 200 independent produc- l A proposed sharing of the BBC’s nations persuade the government against tion companies who freely choose and regional news resources with other pro- top-slicing the licence fee. to partner BBC Worldwide because of viders, including the independently funded the good deal they get in content distri- news consortia (IFNC) due to be piloted next Bristol could be a blueprint bution. year, remains on the table, the BBC says, A year is a long time in broadcasting, and ‘The fact is that licence fee money is sub- although much is still unclear about how the PHOTOGRAPH: KEN SINYARD KEN PHOTOGRAPH: Christmas is coming up. Negotiations over ject to more stringent controls than advertis- IFNCs will work. Last week the government the headline-grabbing joint venture pro- ing collected revenue, and if you want to do announced that no final decision would posed between Worldwide and Channel 4 business with this organisation you have to come until 2012/13 on whether licence fee remain just that. The plan for an open accept that it will be regulated and that we switchover ‘surplus’ funds would pay long iPlayer, sharing the benefits of the BBC have to comply with all sorts of criteria. term for non-BBC regional news. iPlayer with other public service broadcast- ‘If there’s a slightly higher cost therefore, ers, has been rejected by the BBC Trust and in doing business with us versus Sky, that’s a l An online deal to share previously shown Canvas – the BBC-led partnership involving debate you can have.’ BBC news video with the Daily Telegraph, ITV, five and BT, and now possibly others to Guardian, Independent and Daily Mail was bring the convenience of catch-up tv from Need for mutual benefits signed in July, since when agreements have the pc to the television set via broadband – Tate doesn’t accept that regulatory checks been signed by a further 14 smaller web- has been delayed. and balances destroy value in a BBC partner- sites and a further 16 could join. Kangaroo, the planned commercial joint ship: ‘We’re giving access to the BBC’s scale venture between BBC Worldwide, ITV and and scope, whether it’s distributing content l The BBC signed a memorandum of Channel 4 to provide an on-demand video via Worldwide or a project like Canvas or set- understanding with STV earlier this year to download service, was stymied by the Compe- ting up complete new channels like BBC Alba look at sharing pictures, facilities, training, tition Commission earlier this year because or putting HD on Freeview. technology and archive programmes – but the regulators said it threatened the emerg- ‘There have been successful examples again not exclusive stories and features. ing on-demand market. and again of BBC partnerships where the And regional news sharing proposals have results are proven.’ l Under the recent MOU signed with the been on hold, awaiting a clearer picture on But if the last year has taught the BBC an- city of Bristol, the BBC committed to boost how replacement ITV regional news pro- ything, it is how complex and difficult it is to regional tv production, film making and grammes will be provided and funded. pull off sustainable partnerships, says Adrian digital skilling. Meanwhile other partnerships, like Ruth, partnerships programme director. video news sharing with newspaper groups, ‘If you want to He says it’s also important to remember l On digital, tapeless production, the BBC have not only launched successfully but that partnerships need to be just that – pro- is sharing innovative solutions with ITV and expanded. And a ground-breaking partner- do business with viding benefits to all parties: ‘For the BBC, production partners. ship announced last month with Bristol is that means serving our audiences better and likely to be a blueprint for similar BBC com- providing value to licence payers.’ l Cultural partnerships include a tie-up mitments in other cities and regions. us you have to Ruth singles out BBC North in Salford with the British Museum to produce A Histo- But potential partners and rivals would – based on partnerships from inception, ry of the World in 100 Objects on Radio 4 and like to see more. Perhaps not surprisingly, accept controls’ including with independent producers, com- online and a project with the British Film outgoing Channel 4 boss, Andy Duncan, has panies and colleges – as ‘in the vanguard of Institute to increase public access to been outspoken about the BBC’s partnering JOHN TATE our future ambitions’. respective audio, film and tv archives.
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you’ll find immensely reassuring. but it was for a good cause. For those staff who would like an alternative But the £5 note was taken from me and put Reckon it’s time to get real, guv option, can I recommend the Fisher-Price ‘Pink in the till along with my food purchase. I ques- Chatter Phone’. It has the same features as the tioned this and asked how the £5 would get to The latest edition of The News Mag- gramme got on air as planned and as Siemens phones ie an inability to send or re- Children in Need but the cashier didn’t know. azine quotes Mark Byford describ- gold commander I had to ensure the ceive phone calls, plus it’s more durable, small- I asked the canteen management and they ing the night that Nick Griffin was on security of TVC and the safety of audi- er and has eyes that move up and down when said they weren’t sure if it would, but that the phone is pulled along. some money would probably be given to Chil- Question Time: ‘...the BBC command team ences and staff.’ Ben Debuse dren in Need by Aramark. was ensuring safety within TVC and In other words: ‘I sat at my desk and studio director, BBC East This isn’t good enough. I don’t want a few reporting to me as head of gold com- Caroline Thomson told me what was pence of my £5 going to charity and the rest to mand. I was based in my office get- going on.’ line the pockets of Aramark management. ting regular reports from chief How much are we paying these people You did us proud I want it all going to charity full stop. If it We would like to say an enormous thank you to isn’t then surely they are making money for operating officer Caroline Thomson to indulge their Sweeney fantasies? everyone across the BBC who has played a part themselves from Children in Need. as incident commander... as head of Andrew Craig in this year’s Children in Need. We have already Can we have some clarity please... journalism, I had to ensure the pro- Bush Newsroom raised a stunning £20m and we know we will Julian Lines get millions more in the weeks ahead. broadcast engineer, World Service BBC Children in Need simply could not hap- Christmas on for lucky few Dan Maynard, MC&A publicist, BBC iPlayer, pen without the talent, time and commitment Kate Smith, customer service director, BBC We were told (via Ariel) that the BBC had replies: We wanted to create a little ripple of thousands of BBC people and we hope that workplace, replies: I can assure you that all decided to cancel Christmas parties for staff ahead of Nintendo’s full marketing push everyone feels proud of their part in helping to profits from the sale of these mugs go to BBC due to the current economic climate. How- next year, so FM&T director Erik Huggers change lots of young lives. Children In Need. We’ve added a button for ever, today my boss received an invite to the made the announcement at C21’s Future David Ramsden, chief exec, BBC Children in Need these items to our tills to ensure that we have a Radio Comedy Xmas party. Mind you it is the Media Conference on November 13, timed Nick Vaughan Barratt, head of events, full audit trail. Workplace are making a huge ‘talent’ party. with a simultaneous press release. vision productions effort to raise our target of £150,000 for the So why is it that it’s inappropriate, at We also produced two BBC iPlayer on Wii charity by a range of activities from a gala this time, for the BBC to fund staff parties promotional films which have been shown event at TV Centre on Thursday to sponsored but it’s quite happy to spend the money on on the Nintendo Wii channel in the lead Taking me for a mug? walks, cake sales, moustache-growing, and the celebs (and various senior managers of up to the launch. We’ve generated over 102 Today I purchased a Children in Need mug from Pudsey parades in Westfield. Learn more at course)? How many other ‘talent’ parties are pieces of coverage so far on this outstanding the Bush House canteen for £5 – a bit expensive, www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/spacesandplaces/ being held and funded by the BBC? And how product from the BBC’s tv platforms team many managers get to attend? and, pleasingly, audiences are picking up Oh, and what’s the budget-per-head for on this too: we were getting positive tweets their party? This really does seem to be one at the rate of around one per minute on rule for us and one rule for them. launch day. Call on the Club! Kyren Burns, assistant content producer, A&M interactive speech radio Following the announcement that the BBC has Hold it right there cut its Christmas budgets, BBC Club has slipped Jane Berthoud, head of radio comedy, replies: its pants over its tights and in true superhero Most of our production teams are only to- style is here to save the day. gether for a short period of time and there are very few opportunities for people to meet informally. We also tend to use a high propor- tion of freelance contributors, so we don’t have an opportunity to hold briefings. There was traditionally a Radio Comedy event in Edinburgh for perfomers – some- free thing I decided we should cut this year. How- ever, I still felt there was value in having an event once a year where everyone who had christmas worked in Radio Comedy, and some of those So whose was the can of Elnett under the who we may want to work with us in the fu- laptop stand on Tuesday 17’s Breakfast? ture, could come together. Kate’s? Angela’s? Bill’s? Performers who appear in Radio Comedy David Llewellyn platters! do so often because of the affection they have broadcast support technician, news for the BBC. We have the space, time and off air talent to help develop their ideas and I see events like this as an opportunity to re-en- Call me a cynic Pre-order & pre-pay for your drinks force that message. I read last week’s Ariel online story about and we’ll give you some free food* – I think the term ‘party’ is probably overstat- the ‘intermittent’ phone fault being fixed ing it. This is a modest gathering for a couple with a smile on my face. Our phone system no need to resort to hamburglary! of hours after lunch in the Radio Theatre. has misbehaved ever since it was installed. I still have to restart my phone regularly. Also on offer… 2 or 3 course Calls regularly drop out or don’t transfer. festive feasts, bespoke hospitality Wii bit of notice, please Can we please get a straight answer from At last some good news. I have just read on Siemens and something satisfactory done & more bar snacks than you can Gateway that BBC iPlayer became available about it? It’s been going on for months, not via the Nintendo Wii from November 18. one week. wave a snowy scarf at! This is exciting, as it finally means we can Tom Percival use iPlayer on the tv screen easily. I have just ba, Radio Northampton set this up on my Wii and it’s great. At all Club sites 1-18 December The sad thing is that if I hadn’t had For more details contact: access to Gateway, I wouldn’t have known Pull the other one about this development. Has there been any For those of you having problems with the [email protected] publicity on bbc.co.uk? I look at the public massive new desktop phones we were issued Please quote ‘Ariel’ for a special booking gift face of the BBC almost every day, and I have with recently, Siemens tell us that ‘the re- not seen anything about this at all. vised HiPath 8000 database engine code has *ts & cs apply, available at Club London sites only Bruce Roberts been completed by the Siemens Enterprise consultant Development team’, which I’m sure, like me,
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14 Jobs See Attachment
We told Ozzy off There were plenty of new experiences when Gary Butcher swapped Essex for the Midlands Like many of us, I keep a sly eye on the attach- ment opportunities that pop up. BBC WM was looking for someone to launch a new mid-morn- ing programme, with a presenter who they hoped would be the West Midlands answer to Lorraine Kelly. I’m not sure if Lorraine Kelly has ever dangled from wires dressed as a fairy, but that was how I first encountered my presenter Joanne Malin... in panto. Fast forward 12 months and we’ve had a mistress with five men on the go; a man who has lost half his body weight and a woman drinking her own pee in the studio. We’ve trialled cellulite-busting knick- ers, dated a millionaire, told Ozzy Osbourne off for owing money to a listener, tap-danced for John Barrowman, produced nine outside broadcasts, taken over the Bullring shopping centre with a dance event and helped BBC WM raise £1.5m for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Personally it has been just as exciting, Birming- ham is an amazing city, I’ve met many new friends, made the most of what the city has to offer and had some memorable experiences best left out of print. It’s difficult leaving a station that you love, and BBC Essex was and is a fantastic place to work, with a great team. As I was driving up the M1 to the Mid- lands, I did wonder what I was doing. But attach- ments are a great way to try something different, with the knowledge that if it doesn’t work out, you can always go back. I’ve learned many new skills this year: presenter training, producing outside broadcasts, tv trailing, liaising with press and tap dancing… to name but a few. It has been a steep learning curve, and remains to be as we’re still developing the programme, building an audience and raising our profile. But it helps to work with two of the most positive and creative people you could meet in Jo and my right- hand woman Anna Winkles. The attachment comes to an end next month, but I’m pleased to say I’m staying here. And while 2010 won’t be quite as unpredictable as this year, no doubt it will be just as challenging.
Been anywhere nice? Send your attachment stories to Clare Bolt
14 OCTOBER 08 ARIEL a 24·11·09 What am I doing here 15 photograph: Mark bassett Mark photograph: What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be Philip Schofield. I always knew I wanted to work at the BBC and he was in the Broom Cupboard when I was growing up so I just wanted to be him. foreign How did you go about it? When I was little I used to make tapes for my grandmother who lived in South report Africa. I’d play songs, add a bit of gossip and some news so she would know what was going on back home. I’ve also done all kinds of local radio. Hospital radio allows you to work at 12 so, literally, on my 12th birthday I was down at the sta- tion saying can I have a show please? Then when I was 16 the community radio station emily launched and I was there and I had a show. kasriel
How did you make the leap to the BBC? exec producer of the It was work experience that got me start- ed. I think when people do work experi- forum goes to australasia ence they can just sit around and waste On the endless flight to Sydney, opportunities. Luckily I took advantage there was time to think about the challenges of it and offered to do things like edit- of making three Forum shows with five part- ing and organising videos alphabetically. ners in one week. It was a little daunting. Our partners: The Festival of Dangerous Ideas What happened next? at the Sydney Opera House, the Melbourne My first job was on the National Lot- Arts Festival and the Te Papa Museum in Wel- tery and from that I got to be a judge lington, New Zealand, as well as the Austral- on the Eurovision song contest the year ian and New Zealand Broadcasting Corpora- Katrina and the Waves won. After that I tions, which regularly broadcast The Forum. did more work experience with a week After arriving in Sydney rather bleary eyed, on the Radio 1 Roadshow where I met Bridget Kendall, presenter of The Forum, the Chris Moyles and this led to me becom- World Service ideas discussion show, senior ing his Big Brother correspondent. producer Radek Boscetty and I greeted our aled haydn-jones superb ABC co-producer Sue Clark, who took What’s it like working on the Chris Moyles us across to the waterfront to meet the team Show? behind the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. The It’s a dream come true. I’ve been with producer of the chris moyles team, who were ferreting about the internal Chris now for about nine years and it’s maze of the Sydney Opera House at an great. It was hard work for the first cou- show and presenter of the extraordinary speed, led us to our venue – the ple of years but we’ve found our stride stunning Utzon Room with a glass wall over- now. There are good days and bad days surgery on bbc radio 1 looking Sydney Harbour, and a giant woollen depending on your mood, and when tapestry with bright swathes of colour. the alarm goes off at ten to four some or not. I think they’re proud that some- That must have been tough. What sort of On the show we talked about Australian days you look at it and think ‘no way’. one from Aber has got to Radio 1. I am feedback have you had from people? stereotypes. Singer and writer Robyn Archer the Honourable Vice President of Aber- It has been very touching. Bullying has so challenged the Early starts aside, what are the good bits? ystwyth football club and went once. many stigmas. It’s not all physical. Bullies We met the phrase ‘down un- There’s some stuff you almost get used At half time they swapped sides and I more often than not are just feeling low der’ which Bridget to, like being backstage at the Brits and didn’t realise they did that so when a goal about themselves and feel better by hav- team behind had used in her meeting people as they come off stage; went in I was the only one cheering. ing a laugh at someone else. One girl was introduction. From but every now and then you just stop and in floods of tears because she had been bul- a radio station whose perspective say wow. I got to be on 24, the American Tell me about your other radio show lied and felt dreadful about it. Bullying she asked? Bridget tv show, and spend time in Portugal for I’ve been doing the The Surgery on happens in every single class, school, every run out of a established a warm Euro 2004 and Germany for the World Cup. Radio 1 for just over a year now and it’s college or university and place of work. rapport with our I’ve travelled the UK for Comic Relief do- great. It gives young people an oppor- beach house lively, 200 plus ing the show in the morning and kara- tunity to talk about problems, like ex- Why do you think you were bullied and how audience. oke at night and you feel like a rock star. ams, stress, depression, self-harm, bod- did you cope? Buoyed by the success of Sydney, we ies, sex stuff. At the moment we’re I think it was about being different and flew to Melbourne where guests included Is it always fun? how you cope with that. I was the writer Kate Grenville, whose novel Secret With so many listeners there’s bullied for my sexuality but I River, about a journey to the penal colony of a lot of pressure. One reason don’t think it was homophobic, New South Wales, had coloured my outlook the Chris Moyles show is so CV it was more the way I reacted. on Australia. Though we were part of the good is because it’s very open, Degree: After GCSEs I started out doing computer Bullies identified my weakness. Melbourne Arts Festival, the main events had honest and real. It’s not script- programming but changed direction and went on to study They’d say he reacts best when I not yet begun, so there was less of a buzz. ed so there are risks. Yesterday media and went straight into work experience. call him poof, but if I hadn’t re- Yet here too the audience shone and we met Jimmy Carr and David Walli- A runner on the National Lottery. acted to that then it might have a keen Forum listener who had visited our ams texted Chris and said they First job: been sticky out ears or nose or Facebook page and felt thrilled to be taking : So many, but meeting Madonna was brilliant. were outside and could they Career Highlight anything. If you’re reacting in part in a Forum show recorded in his city. come in. As the producer that Family: Parents are still in Aberystwyth and younger sister. a certain way then you’re a vic- Then it was back on the plane and a stun- day I stopped them and gave tim and being picked on. Until ning descent into Wellington Airport with them a full briefing to within an inch doing an anti-bullying season. you feel good about yourself things won’t rocky edges of land protruding into a dark of their lives about what they could and change. The media aren’t to blame but luminous sea. After recording another couldn’t say on a breakfast show but then Do you have personal experience of they are very good at focusing on certain illuminating show at the Te Papa Museum, I was on pins for the rest of the show. bullying? aspects – for example, you are only some- we drove up the coast to meet the team be- That kind of pressure can be exciting. Yes. I’ve been able to move away from the one if you make it and if you can’t sing hind Kapiti Beach 106.3, a community radio script and talk from the heart. I’m not just and be famous then you feel worthless. station run out of a suburban beach house On the show you can come over as a bit presenting a series about bullying but talk- equipped with a studio and a 1950s kitchen dippy, but is that really you? ing as someone who’s been through it. Well you’ve certainly made something of that looked like it came from a film set. Some Yes. I have a serious side and a dippy I try to work in conjunction with yourself. What do you do outside work? 70,000 locals rely on the station for neigh- side. I can be good at being very se- BBC Wales, and I went back to school to Oh I’m a geek. Radio, tv, gaming, bourhood news, and for many World Service rious and knowing the rules but work out why I had been bullied; what I social networking, internet, technol- programmes including The Forum. It certainly I do say a few stupid things. should have done about it and what oth- ogy, gadgets. I could talk about this gave me a vivid image of some of our listen- ers can do now. I met the bullies and for hours. I get very passionate ‘geek- ers to keep in mind back at Bush House. Are you a bit of a hero in your home town? we were all like best friends saying ‘let’s ing out’ over phones and gadgets. In fact I wonder how I’m being perceived in go for a drink’ and I was thinking ‘oh I’ve just bought something amazing …. www.bbcworldservice.com/forum Aberystwyth because of my dippy nature you’re going to bully me or pick on me’ The Forum from Melbourne will be broadcast on Jan 3 and I’m not sure if they want to own me and it was like being back in school. Interview by Sue Llewellyn
> CONTACT SUE LLEWELLYN to suggest a colleague for this feature 16 a 24·11·09
Pudsey embraces BBC London’s Abba-themed fund- raiser in a fetching one-piece suit. The station’s green room performance of Mamma Mia raised £45,885.50.
A former There was a distinct lack of Woolworths store finally started baths, but staff still found pulling in money when BBC unusual ways to bring in the Guernsey auctioned two of beans for CiN... the letters from above its door. The ‘W’ and the ‘S’ raised £325 with the station’s overall CiN total reaching £23,000. Pudsey and head of workplace Chris Kane relax at Workplace’s gala fundraising event. This year its initiatives have pulled in more than £100,000.
Telephonist Tim Kingsley now has a fabulously smooth pair of pins and back after being waxed in front of colleagues at Belfast’s Broadcasting House. He raised £720.
Radio Manchester presenter Heather Stott was forced to shave off her hair after telling listeners she’d reach for Radio Leeds presenter Graham Liver the clippers if someone cycled from Leeds Castle in Kent donated £1000. Stott, who to base, broadcasting from local studios is also a weather presenter on on the way. His 250 mile adventure raised North West tv, was shorn live more than £16,000. on air.
Spotlight presenter
Victoria Graham ph otog One Show viewers helped plays with an
raise money for CiN by vot- otter at BBC MOO GEOFF raph: ing for the presenter they South West’s wanted to see gunged. fundraising OB No prizes for guessing at Weymouth’s Alison Ferns, Nick Wallis, Danny Pike and Neil Pringle struggle with a chocolate souffle as
Adrian Chiles lost. Sea Life Park. R part of BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey’s charity version of tv series Come Dine with Me. E
EARWIGGING OVERHEARD AT THE BBC See In the Night Garden on the big screen …I’m not in the mood…..there we are, an …I put my grapes under the spotlight Worldwide have launched Your Child’s First Cinema executive decision… and now they’ve gone funny... Experience, an event designed for parents and their little ‘uns to watch a special episode of In the Night Garden at …Psephologists do not grow on …The God their local cinema. For a list of participating cinemas and trees… Channel. dates visit inthenightgarden.co.uk Ariel has three family tickets (two adults, two children) …You can’t project foot-work love… What’s THAT all about?… to give away for any of the screenings being shown …I don’t understand why Siemens can’t nationally. To enter to win a family ticket answer this question: make it simple... Why are the three Tombliboos called Unn, Ooo and Eee? …Can I go ring my two year old? They’ve Email ariel competitions with the answer by just done a poo on the potty.… December 1.
> IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR THE GREEN ROOM, CONTACT ADAM BAMBURY