Northern Ireland Management review 2010/11 a 01 Introduction 12 Looking ahead 19 Contacts 02 Two minute summary 18 Key priorities for next year 20 Northern Ireland 04 Service performance management “ Broadcasting makes an important contribution to the wealth and well-being of local society.” Peter Johnston, Director, BBC Northern Ireland Cover image Cover shows BBC Radio Ulster presenters at the launch of Open House in Broadcasting House, Belfast. Introduction The BBC’s mission may be constant and enduring, but the business of broadcasting, like society itself, is always changing. We can report on a year in which our services enjoyed broad and popular appeal, and much critical success. Network production increased and has now begun to achieve the critical mass on which its long-term sustainability depends; we enhanced our newsgathering with the appointment of new area-based reporters; and our local television portfolio was refreshed with additional landmark programmes and commissions that were intended to reflect community life in all its different aspects and diversity. We introduced schedule changes at BBC Radio Foyle; extended the availability of the BBC’s national DAB network in Northern Ireland; secured some necessary capital investment to facilitate local television outside broadcasts into the future; and delivered a range of BBC recordings and events – showcasing talent and providing moments of celebration for the whole community. All of this activity has been taken forward in the midst of real financial constraints. Further savings are in prospect and will require difficult choices about priorities and a clear focus on how we can maximise the impact and value of our service offering. Much of what comes next will not be easy. But neither is it a cause for despair. We can, and will, continue to create great programmes and to seek out new and innovative ways in which we can serve BBC audiences better. Peter Johnston Director, BBC Northern Ireland 1 Two minute summary BBC Northern Ireland aims to provide something of value for everyone in the community through a broad range of programmes and services which inform and stimulate debate, celebrate and support cultural and sporting life, and reflect local interests and experiences for audiences within Northern Ireland and across the rest of the UK. Hours of local television output Hours of BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle output by genre in 2010/11 by genre in 2010/11 These totals describe local programming on BBCNI These totals describe the volume and type of programming television during 2009/10. 68.7 hours of this output provided by BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle. Much of this output (equivalent to 37%) of qualifying non-news hours with a involves listener interaction. Continuous output in this value of £6.35million) was commissioned from the local categorisation includes specialist music and other strands. independent sector. Genre Hours of programming produced Genre Hours of programming produced Continuous Output 6,874 Comedy, Entertainment and Music 27.94 News and Weather 2,105 News and Weather 400.2 Sport 491 Current Affairs 34.5 Sport 82.72 Factual and Factual Entertainment 104.17 Drama 2.72 Children’s and Education 3.93 2 Average weekly 15-minute reach Average weekly 15-minute reach of BBC One in Northern Ireland of BBC Two in Northern Ireland Reach is described as a percentage of the total population Reach is described as a percentage of the total population who consumed BBC television programming over a who consumed BBC television programming over a specified time period (in this case 15 minutes). These totals specified time period (in this case 15 minutes). These totals reflect the continuing popularity of BBC television, but also reflect a slight reduction in the channel’s performance in the effect of increased competition from other broadcast Northern Ireland. It remains our primary television platform services on digital platforms. for local niche and specialist programmes. 08/09 72.3% 08/09 51.1% 09/10 73.3% 09/10 49.7% 10/11 77.8% 10/11 49.2% Average weekly reach for Average weekly unique users of BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle BBCNI Online (millions) Reach is described as a percentage of the total population These totals describe the average number of weekly unique who consumed local BBC radio services in Northern users during April each year on the BBCNI website. Ireland. These totals represent an average of the quarterly audience figures that were produced by Rajar across the review period. BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle retains its place as the region’s most popular station. 08/09 36.3% April 2009 1.09 09/10 35.3% April 2010 0.66 10/11 36.3% March 2011 1.01 Local BBC television output totals (Hours) BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle output totals (Hours) These totals describe the hours of BBCNI television These totals describe the hours of programming on BBC programming for local audiences. The volume and profile Radio Ulster/Foyle. The volume, profile and content of of our output is aligned against relevant Service Licence and our output are aligned against the station’s Service Licence SoPPs commitments and the BBC’s Public Purposes. Our and the BBC’s Public Purposes. These totals can fluctuate focus on fewer, higher cost programmes, impacted on the over time as a result of the cost/type of programme being amount of local television output. Totals in this area were also commissioned, the timetabling of programme deliveries etc. affected by the timetabling of some programme deliveries. 08/09 674 08/09 9,375 09/10 627 09/10 9,514 10/11 656 10/11 9,470 3 Service performance – television, radio and online We provide programmes and services across radio, television and online – bringing the stories of local people to audiences at home and across the UK. BBC Northern Ireland television other changes. In the midst of so much BBCNI television seeks to reflect uncertainty however, our local BBC local society in all its different aspects services have retained their popularity and diversity. Our programmes are a and a unique ability to engage the whole trusted source of news and information community with programmes that inform, and a showcase for local stories, talent educate and entertain. and creativity. They include a mix of News and current affairs output is a core programme styles and approaches and feature of BBCNI’s work. It provides are informed by a deep connection information and advice during times of with the needs of local audiences. crisis and the analysis that helps audience Quality, integrity and authenticity are understanding of big, and sometimes defining features of our television output complex, issues. Our journalists are active and are the basis on which its success across the region, bringing local stories has been built. Maintaining this breadth and concerns to a wider audience and of editorial ambition and the appeal of their specialist expertise to developments our programming into the future are affecting every aspect of community real challenges for the BBC – reflecting life. Our programmes also provide an funding, marketplace, technological and important forum for debate, allowing 1 2 1. Archie the Squirrel in a new network series of Sesame Tree. 2. A sporting legend – Joey Dunlop Remembered. 4 Northern Ireland people to engage with decision-makers and We provided detailed coverage of the alternative viewpoints. Assembly and Executive’s work and Major news stories and developments in launched a new weekly programme, recent months have included: coverage of Stormont Today, with its combination of the Westminster election, and a new-style Assembly debates, political commentary televised debate involving leaders from and analysis. Audience-led discussion with the main parties in Northern Ireland; the politicians was facilitated by a series of publication of the Saville Inquiry report; Spotlight Specials and was complemented winter weather difficulties with multiple by longer-form interviews on Hearts and school closures and subsequent water Minds and The Politics Show. Politics and shortages; the economic downturn and politicians also featured in House on the its effects on public finances; political Hill, an observational-style series about developments in the Republic of Ireland, Stormont and as part of two extended film including the election of a new coalition profiles about First Minister, Peter Robinson government; continuing issues affecting and Gerry Adams TD. Audience interest health and education; security concerns in matters political was also addressed linked to terrorist-related activities; and the through our live coverage from the main trial and subsequent conviction of Hazel party conferences and a documentary on Stewart for her involvement in the murder the Westminster election campaign of UUP of her policeman husband – which featured candidate Harry Hamilton – better known in two Spotlight programmes. for his appearances in Queen tribute band, Flash Harry. BBC Newsline’s newsgathering capabilities were enhanced with the appointment of additional District Reporters and the programme’s team of specialist correspondents made headlines throughout the year with a series of investigative reports about health, security, education and other issues. 5 Service performance continued Sporting fixtures and achievements featured from the Odyssey Arena which helped to across our output and included live coverage raise £568,919 towards the charity’s work of rugby (as a result of a new Magners’ in Northern Ireland. And we had headline League contract, secured in partnership entertainment with Snow Patrol in the with other broadcasters), domestic and region’s largest-ever outdoor concert – international soccer, the Schools’ and with an attendance of 40,000 people. MacRory Cups, GAA and the NW200. Historical themes and influences were Graeme McDowell’s golfing success explored across a range of programmes, attracted much interest and featured in the reflecting audience interest in the past and award-winning Graeme McDowell’s Major its continuing resonances in everyday life.