Category: Scotland
Date: 21.03.2005
Printable version
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland today unveiled a wide-ranging reorganisation as part of its move to streamline the business and channel more investment into programme making over the next few years.
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Proposals to invest Β£10m into new programmes funded by a number of efficiency measures - including the reduction of 176 posts from its 1,300-strong Content and Output workforce over the next three years - were announced to staff by Ken MacQuarrie, Controller of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland, following a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ-wide review aimed at getting the best value for money for licence fee payers.
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The plans are part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's overall plans to achieve Β£355m savings to allow subsequent re-investment into journalism, drama, comedy, music, learning and sport.
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In addition to the job losses - which are subject to union negotiations - the programme investment will be funded through new ways of working, including increased innovation and creativity.
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A radical restructuring of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland management structure will also take place, streamlining the organisation into three new divisions - Programmes and Services; Business Finance and Technology; and Talent.
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Ken MacQuarrie said: "The thinking behind these plans is simple: reduce hierarchy by collapsing management structures, simplify process, and clarify reporting lines and areas of responsibility.
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"I believe the structure will allow for a more streamlined approach to what will be a very modern broadcast business.
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"To deliver Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland's vision for the future, we must produce even better programmes and services on an ever more efficient basis.
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"The reinvestment in content will be substantial and a creative Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland can expect a fair share of it - but there is a down side to moving to a more streamlined way of operating and that is the closure of posts."
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Subject to union negotiations, 176 posts across TV Production, Radio, News, Resources, Interactive, Pacific Quay, Administration and Presentation across all grades will be phased out over the next three years from content and output departments.
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In addition a further 19 posts from Marketing, Information and Archive and Contracts will go as part of the reduction in Professional Services announced a fortnight ago and which will see further posts lost from Finance and Human Resources in future.
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Complementary to the re-organisation, the new Head of Radio Jeff Zycinksi has unveiled a number of new schedule changes to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Scotland developed primarily to offer more variety to audiences, while also extending journalistic programming on weekday mornings.
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These include:
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an additional 30-minute current affairs programme hosted by Gary Robertson between 9.00 and 9.30am;
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a revamped 90-minute Fred MacAulay show from 9.30 to 11.00am;
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new half-hourly conversation programmes between 11.00 and 11.30am;
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and an additional lunchtime slot for the topical daily arts show between 1.00 and 2.00pm.
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New comedy and drama programmes are expected to be announced later this year.
