Main content

Buying Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three; BARB Measuring TV audiences; 'FIFA Files' Journalists Win Award

Danny Cohen on the reasons why Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three can't be bought, how to measure the popularity of TV programmes and 'FIFA Files' journalists on their big story. Steve Hewlett presents.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's head of television Danny Cohen has publicly responded to a bid by two independent producers to buy Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three. Jon Thoday and Jimmy Mulville have submitted a proposal to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Trust, outlining how their Β£100m bid would save the TV service from going online-only - a plan which is part of cost-saving measures at the corporation. Steve Hewlett hears from Jon and Jimmy about why they believe losing Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three's terrestrial presence is bad for licence fee payers, and he hears from Danny Cohen on why the bid is not viable.

Live TV viewing in the UK is declining. According to BARB, which measures audiences, the latest figures show that 86 per cent of the population watched TV live in February, compared to 94 per cent five years ago. People instead are choosing to watch on their smartphones and via on-demand services. Steve Hewlett talks to Justin Sampson, Chief Executive of BARB, about how changing viewing habits will impact on advertising, and the new ways BARB is able to measure audiences more accurately.

Two journalists who uncovered wrongdoing around bidding for the World Cup 2022 have won a prestigious award in recognition of their work. Jonathan Calvert and Heidi Blake from the Sunday Times Insight team were joint winners of the Paul Foot Award for investigative journalism, along with Private Eye writers Richard Brooks and Andrew Bousfield. Heidi and Jonathan's 'FIFA Files' scoop exposed how Qatar's top football official exploited his position to help secure votes. Steve Hewlett talks to them about the impact their work has had.

Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Buying Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three

    Indie producers Jon Thoday & Jimmy Mulville bid for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ3, Danny Cohen, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TV, responds

    Duration: 14:19

  • Measuring TV audiences

    Justin Sampson, Chief Exec of BARB on changing TV viewing habits & capturing this data

    Duration: 05:22

  • 'FIFA Files' journalists win award

    Journalists Jonathan Calvert & Heidi Blake on their award winning 'FIFA files' scoop

    Duration: 07:09

Broadcast

  • Wed 25 Feb 2015 16:30

Podcast