BBC Cutbacks

stephenni1971

There has been plenty of debate over the licence fee and renewal of BBC charter in a few years - generally accepted that BBC will have to trim back substantially from current spending to justify extension to Tv Licence.

Interesting then that BBC NI have a new programme with Stephen Nolan regarding the dangers of junk food and the presenters own battle with weight.

It would appear though that interviewing Doctors, Dieticians and fat people here isn't good enough so instead they travel to New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Las Vegas. I mean who are these people trying to kid!!! Nice little jolly for the team, maybe a rest day here and there as well - in my opinion completely unnecessary and nothing more than a tax payer provided junket.

Mistral001

I suppose this apparent unnecessary expense on travel around the USA has all been costed. Sending a team to USA is probably cheaper than sending a team to travel around the UK. However, it does not look good.

oldhand

Indeed why do they ever need to go in person to speak to them,on the nightly news they can speak to reporters live in any country in the world including warzones via satellite,but then there would be no business class flights and top hotels.......

Milko

Totally agree ... but just to play devils advocate,


Stephen covered the Boston Marathon Bombing whilst on his holiday ... in Boston. Just saying

stephenni1971

Milko wrote: »

Totally agree ... but just to play devils advocate,


Stephen covered the Boston Marathon Bombing whilst on his holiday ... in Boston. Just saying

Fair enough but... do BBC NI need the Boston Marathon Bomb covered?

Milko

stephenni1971 wrote: »

Fair enough but... do BBC NI need the Boston Marathon Bomb covered?

You serious ???

Now that you mention it, who'd go to Egypt for a holiday anyway

:cool:

stephenni1971

Milko wrote: »

You serious ???

Now that you mention it, who'd go to Egypt for a holiday anyway

:cool:

Why do BBC NI, a regional broadcaster in NI - need to spend money on a report on a bombing in Boston from 2 1/2 years ago?

qwert_yuiop

I found it quite interesting. I was intrigued that the supposed culprits were hunted down and murdered, and this seemed to be fine. Hmmmm.

God bless America

Milko

stephenni1971 wrote: »

Why do BBC NI, a regional broadcaster in NI - need to spend money on a report on a bombing in Boston from 2 1/2 years ago?

I was referring to when he reported "Live" from Boston during the bombing ... not a 2.5 ear old report.


In answer to your question though, "Why do BBC NI ..." because news attracts viewers, viewers create demand, demand is fuelled by supply & is often chargeable ... hence a license fee


Or business as its known throughout the world ... how much of your license fee, assuming you pay one do you think helped get this documentary produced?


I pay a license fee yet have no interest in watching The One Show, Holby City or just to be topical, The View or Spotlight to name a very small few ...


One of my all time favourite programs ... Top Gear ... did they really need to traverse America, Africa, South East Asia every other series? Probably not but it was entertaining to the masses.


If you're that concerned about "tax payer junkets", then try this for bedtime reading lol
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/your-mlas/members-salaries-and-expenses/members-expenses-2012---2013-april-2012---march-2013/office-cost-expenditure-april-2013---june-2013/

qwert_yuiop

Top Gear made a fortune for the BBC. Even the magazine was a favourite in many countries.

Mistral001

Top Gear certainly is a big commercial success, but would it have run as long as it did if it was with commercial TV. Would "the boys" have been allowed to "push the boundaries" as much as they did if the same show was on commercial TV?