{"id":18810,"date":"2016-05-12T08:04:44","date_gmt":"2016-05-12T12:04:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=18810"},"modified":"2016-05-12T08:04:44","modified_gmt":"2016-05-12T12:04:44","slug":"bbc-to-protect-world-service-in-strategic-plan-presented-to-parliament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/05\/bbc-to-protect-world-service-in-strategic-plan-presented-to-parliament\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC to “protect” World Service in strategic plan presented to Parliament"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Fullscreen<\/a><\/p>\n

Culture Secretary,\u00a0John Whittingdale, has made public\u00a0the UK government’s plan for the future of the BBC, which among other things, will now include Ofcom regulation.<\/p>\n

The BBC Trust will also be dissolved and the BBC will have a new unitary board comprised primarily of members independent of the government.<\/p>\n

The plan<\/a> includes major<\/em> structural changes to the BBC–indeed, possibly some of the most sweeping changes in the corporation’s history.\u00a0Most major UK\/European news outlets will report on this today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, I was very curious where the BBC World Service would fall in terms of priority.\u00a0Based on what I’ve read in the report, there will be a\u00a0serious\u00a0effort to “protect” the World Service. The following excerpt from the report outlines the plan:<\/p>\n

(Source:\u00a0A BBC for the future:\u00a0a broadcaster of distinction<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\"(Image<\/a>Prioritising funding and\u00a0protecting the World Service<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The decisions that the BBC makes in\u00a0allocating funding between services\u00a0will have important consequences for\u00a0the overall distinctiveness of the BBC.\u00a0In radio, budgets have a broad spread\u00a0across the wide range of services.<\/em><\/p>\n

This is not the case in television\u00a0where BBC One receives a far greater\u00a0concentration of funding (see box\u00a019). While of course the BBC needs\u00a0to invest in its flagship services, the\u00a0BBC board will need to give careful\u00a0consideration to its service-level\u00a0funding decisions.<\/em><\/p>\n

Matching investment to the strategic\u00a0priorities for the BBC is generally a\u00a0matter for the BBC board. But there\u00a0is one area so critical to the public\u00a0interest role of the BBC that it is\u00a0appropriate for the Charter to be more\u00a0directive. The World Service is one of\u00a0the BBC\u2019s most distinctive services.<\/em><\/p>\n

It is hugely valued by audiences and a vital part of the UK\u2019s ability\u00a0to lead the world in terms of soft\u00a0power and influence, with its reach\u00a0and reputation helping to project\u00a0UK\u2019s cultural and democratic values\u00a0to more than 246 million people\u00a0worldwide.<\/em><\/p>\n

The government will therefore ensure\u00a0that the BBC protects licence fee<\/em>
\nfunding for the World Service at\u00a0its current level of \u00a3254 million<\/em>
\nper annum.<\/em><\/p>\n

The BBC will also receive additional\u00a0funding from the government for\u00a0the World Service of \u00a334 million in\u00a02016\/17 and \u00a385 million a year in the\u00a0three subsequent years, a significant\u00a0proportion of which will be Official\u00a0Development Assistance. As a provider\u00a0of accurate, impartial and independent\u00a0news the BBC World Service helps to\u00a0strengthen democratic accountability\u00a0and governance, and promote Britain\u00a0and our values around the world.<\/em><\/p>\n

The languages in which the World\u00a0Service operates, and the objectives,\u00a0priorities and targets of the World\u00a0Service will continue to be agreed\u00a0with the Foreign Secretary.<\/em><\/p>\n

BBC World News is the prime\u00a0means by which the BBC distributes\u00a0its television news and current\u00a0affairs programmes to international\u00a0audiences. But it does not have the\u00a0same reputation for quality as the\u00a0World Service \u2013 which is renowned\u00a0for its radio output. This is in part\u00a0a question of funding: BBC Global\u00a0News, the commercial subsidiary that\u00a0operates the service, had revenues\u00a0in 2014\/15 of just \u00a394 million, less\u00a0than 10 per cent of the revenues of\u00a0BBC Worldwide, and a staff of just\u00a0120. The BBC must ensure that all its\u00a0prominent international services have\u00a0a reputation for delivering high quality,\u00a0distinctive output. The new unitary\u00a0board should therefore consider what\u00a0reforms are needed to improve the\u00a0quality of BBC World News.<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ve skimmed the full report<\/a> and found no specific mention of shortwave radio broadcasting (no surprise). I’m certain the\u00a0BBC will\u00a0continue to broadcast over shortwave to strategic regions of the world in the short-term, but over time will certainly decrease offerings.<\/p>\n

Click here to download the full report as a PDF.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Culture Secretary,\u00a0John Whittingdale, has made public\u00a0the UK government’s plan for the future of the BBC, which among other things, will now include Ofcom regulation. The BBC Trust will also be dissolved and the BBC will have a new unitary board comprised primarily of members independent of the government. The plan includes major structural changes to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[56,960,3,43],"tags":[104,327,1876,2607],"class_list":["post-18810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-broadcasters","category-international-broadcasting","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-bbc","tag-bbc-world-service","tag-bbc-world-service-budget","tag-bbc-world-service-strategy"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-4To","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4716,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/bbc-internal-memo-outlines-year-three-cuts-and-changes-to-the-bbc-world-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":18810,"position":0},"title":"BBC internal memo outlines year three cuts and changes to the BBC World Service","author":"Thomas","date":"October 19, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"This BBC internal memo, sent to employees by World Service Director,\u00a0Peter Horrocks, outlines the unfortunate pending cuts and changes in much greater detail than those presented by the press. Here is the memo in its entirety--it concludes with further comments from internal sources: Dear colleagues\u00a0 Today we are announcing Year\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/BBC-World-Service-007-300x180.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17382,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/02\/bbc-to-launch-korean-news-service-via-shortwave-in-fall-2016\/","url_meta":{"origin":18810,"position":1},"title":"BBC to launch Korean news service via shortwave in fall 2016","author":"Thomas","date":"February 15, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: KBS World Radio via Andrea Borgnino) The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) will launch a shortwave radio service to North Korea this fall. A BBC insider said the British government has given final approval to the public broadcaster's plan to broadcast news to North Korea and has even earmarked a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"(Image source: BBC)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/BBC-Headquarters.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/BBC-Headquarters.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/BBC-Headquarters.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8834,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/richard-voices-his-opinion-about-bbc-world-service-commercialization\/","url_meta":{"origin":18810,"position":2},"title":"Richard voices his opinion about BBC World Service commercialization","author":"Thomas","date":"February 26, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Richard Cuff--noted SWL and festmeister for the Winter SWL Fest--sent a message to the BBC World Service listener feedback program\u00a0Over To You deploring the BBC's decision to incorporate limited advertising\u00a0on the World Service as of April 2014. Over To You\u00a0contacted Richard and invited him to an interview where he discussed\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"BBC-OverToYou","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/BBC-OverToYou-300x281.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":62338,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/bbc-audio-access-abroad-major-changes-coming-spring-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":18810,"position":3},"title":"BBC Audio Access Abroad: Major Changes Coming Spring 2025","author":"Thomas","date":"March 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Cuff, who shares the following news via the BBC: Upcoming changes for listening to BBC audio outside the UK If you live outside the UK, how you listen to BBC radio will change, starting from spring 2025. Instead of using BBC Sounds, you\u2019ll\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "International Broadcasting"","block_context":{"text":"International Broadcasting","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/international-broadcasting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/BBC-eQSL-Card-2022.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/BBC-eQSL-Card-2022.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/BBC-eQSL-Card-2022.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/BBC-eQSL-Card-2022.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/BBC-eQSL-Card-2022.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9145,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/03\/bbc-world-service-longevity-vs-commercialization\/","url_meta":{"origin":18810,"position":4},"title":"BBC World Service longevity vs. commercialization","author":"Thomas","date":"March 31, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Back in October 2010, we learned that the BBC would take over the cost of the World Service from the Foreign Office from April 2014. Shorty thereafter, the BBC World Service was dealt\u00a0a 20% budget cut\u00a0which eventually lead to the loss of 550 jobs. Now April 2014 is upon us.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"(Image source: BBC)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/BBC-Headquarters-300x168.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8490,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/adverts-on-the-bbc-world-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":18810,"position":5},"title":"Adverts on the BBC World Service?","author":"Thomas","date":"January 5, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"According to this article in The Independent, the international arm of the BBC plans to commercialize: \"The BBC has sparked anger with plans to commercialise the 80-year-old World Service, and to downplay the coverage of politics in its global television news output. The changes, which one MP warned could jeopardise\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"(Image source: BBC)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/BBC-Headquarters.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/BBC-Headquarters.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/BBC-Headquarters.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18810"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18810\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}