Category: BBC
Date: 13.10.2004
Printable version
The BBC today
welcomed the publication by the DCMS of an independent review of the
BBC's digital television services, led by Patrick Barwise, Professor
of Management and Marketing at London Business School.
The BBC's Board of Governors has made an interim
statement.
The publication of the report into BBC THREE, BBC FOUR,
CBeebies and The CBBC Channel is the culmination of a review process
that has included both public and industry consultation.
As requested by the Secretary of State, the BBC Governors
will make a full response to the Barwise recommendations in November.
The review finds that all four channels are creating
net public value, that they have all largely met their remits and their
market impact is limited relative to their public value.
It comments: "taking into account both citizenship
and consumer aspects of value for money, CBeebies represents excellent
value for money, CBBC very good value for money, and BBC THREE and BBC
FOUR fairly good value for money".
Other findings include:
CBeebies is "a triumph and an exemplary PSB
service for preschool children".
CBBC is a "distinctive service with high
quality UK-produced content free from advertisements, covering a wide
range of genres and with a high proportion of original production".
BBC THREE is recognised as having produced a number of great successes
in its short life, including Little Britain, Monkey Dust,
Burn It, Little Angels and the 60 Seconds news
bulletin.
It is described, with some qualifications, as "a
distinctive channel with many innovative UK-produced PSB programmes
aimed at 25-34s". The report acknowledges that the channel is being
reviewed at an early stage of its development but also questions its
tight audience focus.
BBC FOUR "has successfully established itself
as a 'place to think'. It exemplifies the BBC's traditional, self-confident
public service values meeting both the letter and the spirit
of its remit without undue stuffiness or paternalism".
On the channels' impact on the market, Patrick Barwise
concludes that it is "unlikely that the channels have directly
reduced commercial channels' advertising revenues except at the margin"
and agrees with Ofcom's view that "it is unlikely that the BBC's
new services have driven, or will drive, any established TV channels
out of business".
Patrick Barwise has also made a number of constructive
criticisms, including the tone and branding of the CBBC Channel, the
size of the audiences to BBC THREE and BBC FOUR and the ability of some
channels to create impact with their current remits and budgets.
He says: "the creative challenge will be to increase
the channels' impact and value for money while retaining their essential
public service ethos".
Jana Bennett, Director of Television and responsible
for BBC THREE and BBC FOUR, said: "I am pleased that Patrick Barwise
has endorsed the BBC's digital TV services, their successes and innovation,
and has said that they should be given the opportunity to develop and
grow.
"We will carefully consider
the substance of the review, together with the interesting recommendations
and criticisms he has made, before the Governors formally respond in
November."
Alan Yentob, Creative Director and responsible for CBeebies
and CBBC, said: "I welcome the review's support of both CBeebies
and the CBBC Channel as distinctive public service channels, with a
range of high quality UK-produced programmes."
Notes to Editors
CBeebies Share Sept 04 - 5.6%*
CBeebies Reach Sept 04 - 14.8%*
CBBC Share Sept 04 - 5.8%*
CBBC Reach Sept 04 - 18%*
BBC THREE has won more than 35 awards, including
a Bafta for Little Britain.
BBC THREE reaches on average four million people
a week, and 18% of 25-34 olds
41% of BBC THREE's current affairs, drama and
comedy originations rated over 100,000 viewers (pre-midnight)
Non-terrestrial channel of the year at the MGEITF
and winner of more than 35 awards, including three RTS awards and a
Bafta for National Trust, BBC FOUR's average weekly share is 0.5% in
digital homes - an increase of 0.2 points in comparison with same weeks
last year
The average weekly reach of BBC FOUR is 4.4% (15-minute
reach over April-Sept 04) - this equates to 1.4 million people each
week, and is an increase of 1.3 points or 42% on the same weeks last
year.
(*Monthly average -all figures are based on children
aged 4-15 in digital homes and reach figures are based on 15 consecutive
minutes)
