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24 September 2014
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Speeches

Gavyn Davies

Chairman of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Board of Governors


Speech given in Manchester


27 February 2002
Printable version

Good evening everyone. I would like to welcome you all tonight to our dinner in Manchester - a dinner to mark the occasion of the visit by the Board of Governors to the north west. Today, we have visited New Broadcasting House to be briefed by Martin Brooks and Wayne Garvie on the vast array of regional and national programmes which the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ makes here. And we visited the magnificent site for the Commonwealth Games, which will bring intense global attention to your region in August. Tomorrow, we will hold our regular monthly board meeting in ManchesterΒ’s New Broadcasting House Β– and hopefully we will be able to correct some of that London bias which people think we inhale in the air around the old, original BH, in Portland Place, London.


It is not very often that I can welcome to a dinner like this someone who is clearly the best who ever lived at the particular job they have chosen to do. But tonight I can do precisely that. (And, no, Greg, I am not talking about you Β– at least not yet!). I am talking about the best football manager who ever worked in Britain Β– Sir Alex Ferguson.


I understand that Sir Alex has had some run-ins with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sport in the past, but I hope he will recognise that we tried to set the record straight by hiring a former director of Manchester United as our own Director-General two years ago. Ever since then, we have been accused of pro-United bias Β– especially from the City half of Manchester.


I have a close friend who is a City fan. He has become increasingly frustrated during the 1990s about the phenomenal successes of United. In fact, he says his life has been blighted ever since 1968, when City won the league Β– only to be totally overshadowed a week later when United won the European Cup at Wembley. He resented this deeply for over 30 years. But now he feels much better Β– in 1999, United won the European Cup again, along with the FA Cup and the Premiership. But, according to my friend, City finally managed to overshadow them a week later Β– by winning the Second Division play-off final at Wembley against Gillingham, 5-3 on penalties. So he now thinks the relative achievements of United and City in the past four decades have been something of a score draw.


Seriously, Sir Alex, we are privileged to have you with us Β– and if you ever did decide to retire, no doubt to the rejoicing of football fans everywhere except in Manchester, I am sure Gary Lineker could find space for you, doing the half-time interviews on Match of the Day. So you see, there can be life after football management.


ThatΒ’s enough about football. This is my first major public speech since becoming Chairman of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ last October, and I want to take this opportunity to share some of my thinking, plans and excitement about the future of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ at this time. For a whole host of reasons itΒ’s probably the most exciting time to be at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ for a generation.


Let me start with what we are doing in the north west. It is particularly appropriate to be here because recently Greg Dyke outlined what he saw as a key role for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ - that it can operate, uniquely among British broadcasters, simultaneously at the community, national and global levels. Over the coming months you can see that at its best here in the North West.


Β· Community -
Β· the three Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ local radio stations in the North West, Radio Lancashire, GMR and Radio Merseyside attract a million listeners every week making it one of the strongest areas in the country for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ local radio listening;


Β· on TV, North West Tonight continues to be one of the best performing regional news programmes with a handsome lead over Granada Tonight;


Β· and our first open centre opened a year ago in Radio LancashireΒ’s building in Blackburn, and has proved to be a phenomenal success. Other similar projects are following around the UK including one in Merseyside opening next month.


Β· National -
Β· Mark and LardΒ’s multi-award winning flagship Radio 1 show comes from Manchester;


Β· the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔΒ’s network religious department is based in Manchester and the last year has seen both the 40th anniversary of Songs of Praise and the brilliantly innovative Son of God;


Β· Two years ago the Governors set a target that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ should do more programming for the North of England. One consequence of this has been some great dramas set here in the North West and made here in the North West. These include Playing the Field, Clocking Off, Merseybeat and Linda Green. Great to see so many of the talented cast and production team from those programmes here.


Β· Global -
Β· This summer the eyes of the world will be on Manchester for the Commonwealth Games and as the host broadcaster itΒ’s the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ which will bring the Games to the world.


The Commonwealth Games is just one of the highlights of what promises to be a great summer for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. We also have the football World Cup and, of course, coverage of Her MajestyΒ’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations.


But we are also particularly excited about the new television and radio services that we are in the process of launching this year. From the early 1970s to the mid 1990s, the basic structure of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ did not change very much Β– two television channels, four or five national radio stations, about 40 local radio stations Β– and, of course, the always magnificent World Service.


Then, in the late 1990s, we launched News 24, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Online, and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Parliament. And this year, we plan a further significant increase in output. Some new services are already launched - Five Live Sports Extra on the radio, and our two new digital childrenΒ’s TV channels, CBeebies and CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. Others will hit the airwaves very soon - Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Four, our new television arts and culture channel, and Radio 6 Music. Three further new radio channels will follow later this year. And one key service is still awaiting permission - Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three, a new TV channel for young adults.


Taken together, this amounts to the greatest expansion of our services ever. It will give us a coherent portfolio of services which will bring the best of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ public service values, quality and creativity to the digital world. It will not replicate what the private marketplace already provides and will not keep expanding exponentially as many critics claim. This portflio will enable the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to give audiences - some of whom are currently underserved by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ - the choice of something distinctive that they simply wonΒ’t get anywhere else.


All this builds on the strength of an encouraging performance across the whole Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ this year.


Across all of our services, audience figures were extremely strong.


Β· Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio took a 53% share of the total radio audience, well up on previous years.


Β· Our online service Β– Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔi - increased its reach to almost six million users, 60% of the internet population.


Β· The World Service attained a new high of 153 million regular listeners worldwide.


Β· Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TWO remains the only one of the traditional television services which is retaining its audience in the face of multi-channel competition.


Β· And last year Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE overtook ITV in audience share for the first time ever. That was some feat when you consider that even when ITV was off the air owing to a strike for 12 weeks in the late 1980s, they were still ahead of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE in the ratings!!


But the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ must never be all about ratings - or even mainly about ratings. In the past year, we have made a raft of terrific programmes which stand comparison with the best the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has ever done: Blue Planet, Walking with Beasts, Son of God, Clocking Off, The Way We Live Now, Conspiracy, Lost World.


I could go on and on about these and so many other programmes but instead let me show you a short tape which summarises just some of what we have already achieved and points to what we hope to do in the futureΒ…


Tape


Actually, watching that tape you become aware not just of the huge range of great programmes that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ broadcasts but the absolutely central role the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ continues to play in the life of the nation.


The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is part of the glue which binds the United Kingdom together. At those times of national moment - of joy or sadness, in the UK or around the world, at times when the nation wants to celebrate, mourn or just enjoy itself people turn to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.


Be it to celebrate the millennium or a major sporting event like the Germany-England game, to mark events of national significance or even to enjoy the return of great programmes like Only Fools and Horses last Christmas - people turn in their millions to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.


ItΒ’s astonishing to think that 35 million people in the UK turned to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔΒ’s news services on September 11th. The things we all share, we share through the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.


And actually this role of uniting the nation becomes more not less important in the fragmenting media world we hear so much about. Without the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, the proliferation of television and radio channels by the private sector would simply result in more and more channels, with tiny audiences, all seeking to do the same thing. The future would be one of fragmentation Β– fragmentation without either plurality or diversity. If you donΒ’t believe me, just look at the history of commercial radio. There are now about 250 commercial stations available in the UK Β– and almost all of them are trying to do exactly the same thing. Top 40 pop songs, jingles, weather, traffic news. I enjoy the mix myself Β– but I am relieved that I can escape to the richness of choice offered by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio for most of the time.


The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ provides the commentary on our lives, the soundtrack of the nation. It is one of the most powerful unifying forces in the United Kingdom today.


I mentioned earlier that this is my first major speech for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ since becoming Chairman. But I havenΒ’t been idle. I have spent most of my time since my September travelling around the country listening to what people have to say about the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. IΒ’ve hosted public meetings. IΒ’ve been out to collect licence fees from people who were reluctant to pay Β– quite an experience! IΒ’ve sat in on focus groups. I have had the good fortune to talk to dozens of MPs and Peers about what the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is doing wrong.


All in all, I have heard from hundreds of people about their Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. And I have confirmed what I knew already about the British public Β– they really care about the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, they feel a sense of ownership, and they are genuinely affronted when we let them down.


They also believe that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ offers good value for money. At most of the public meetings I have attended, I have asked the following question. Imagine you could keep the Β£109 a year that you currently pay on the licence fee. But then imagine that, in exchange, you had to give up everything you currently get from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, on television, radio and online. Is that a bargain you would like to accept?


So far, almost no-one has said that they would like to save the Β£109, and give up the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. One of the effects of the growth of subscription television services in the UK has been that people have become aware that broadcasting costs money Β– and compared to the hundreds of pounds that people need to spend each year to get the full packages of sports and movie channels, the licence fee looks like a bargain. By my calculations, the average British citizen spends 22% of their leisure time in the company of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. ThatΒ’s a lot of information, education and entertainment for Β£109 a year.


The commercial competitors of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ are, of course, seeking to marginalise us, to box us into a smaller and smaller space. This is not surprising - commercial companies should be expected to act in their own naked self-interest. They would be happy if they could reduce the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to the same scale as the tiny public service broadcasters in the United States. That would leave more space for themselves to occupy, more profits for them to earn. But it would not be in the public interest, and the British people know it.


There is, however, one criticism of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ that worries me, and I want to end by commenting on it. It is the accusation that we have only been able to maintain our audience share by "dumbing down" our output, especially on television, and especially on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE.


I think that the perception of dumbing down stems partly from the massive proliferation of television output which has occurred in the past 10 years. Not all of it can be good, and when you sample 200 channels, 10 seconds at a time, with your remote control in hand, you can be forgiven for concluding that most of the output is of dubious quality.


But actually that is why the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔΒ’s family of quality channels is becoming more important than ever before. And our analysis of what is available on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TWO does not support the claim that we are dumbing down our main channels. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE has not dramatically changed the mix and content of its programmes in the past 10 years Β– in fact, we are spending just as much as we have ever done on arts, science, history and current affairs, and we are showing more "public service" hours in peak time than we did five years ago.


One thing has gone missing from our schedules at peak time Β– the off-the-shelf American drama series like Dallas. But surely that is a good thing. We should certainly be spending our licence fee income on Clocking Off - a great British drama tailored for a British audience - ahead of American imports.


Many people say to me Β– why canΒ’t we have television series like Civilisation, and the Ascent of Man, which we had 30 years ago, in the so-called golden age of television? They were great series, but they attracted very small audiences, in the region of one to two million per week. We still make great series Β– like the Blue Planet, Simon SchamaΒ’s History of Britain and Walking with Beasts. And they attract audiences five to ten times as large as the landmark series of yesteryear. So we must be doing something right.


Yet still the criticism for dumbing down will not die down. Typically, this criticism comes from a particular group of people in the UK. They tend to be southern, white, middle class, middle aged and well educated. Strangely enough, they are already the type of people who consume a disproportionate amount of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's services - people who get more out of the licence fee than they put into it. In some cases, the criticism of dumbing down is simply a respectable way of trying to hijack even more of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔΒ’s services for themselves.


The unique thing about the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is that we all pay exactly the same amount for it. The Asian teenager on the streets of Manchester has just as much right to be heard, and to be served, as a member of the House of Lords in Westminster. The fact is that they may not want exactly the same thing, but we have to serve them both.


Having said that, we must serve them both without reducing our unremitting commitment to raising standards, and ensuring distinctiveness in everything we do. The public looks to the Governors of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, as well as to the Director-General and the Executive, to ensure that this is the case - and this we will continue to do. Only yesterday, we published a series of reforms to ensure that the is fit for the modern age, and we will now set about implementing these reforms with gusto.


TodayΒ’s Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ governors are chosen by a public appointments process, involving open advertisements, and formal interviews under the Nolan rules, conducted by respected public officials. If the Board ever were a retirement club for declining gentlefolk, it certainly isnΒ’t so today. The Governors have a clear role to play Β– in setting objectives for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, approving strategy, monitoring compliance, and ensuring accountability. Having done all that, and having made key executive appointments, the Governors should then leave the operation of services to the professional broadcasters who are paid to make and schedule great programmes.


The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has always been a unique institution, the envy of many other countries. We have always been a mass market broadcaster, but one which is committed to distinctiveness and public service. Some people argue that we must choose between mass audiences and programme quality. But at our best we can and do achieve both. To retain public confidence, we must continue to do both in future years.



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