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R1 and R2 may have to merge.

 
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Rachel
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:39 pm    Post subject: R1 and R2 may have to merge. Reply with quote

Well that's what I'm hearing "in" the grapevine... maybe prompted by this in the daily mail ( and other newspapers) and also Chris Evans this morning- who said about CIN Drive and Dine, "we can do it again next year, if we are still here"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1295467/BBC-licence-fee-slashed.html
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ColinB
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 4:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whilst I think that's a distinct possibility Rachel, I do think that this is the right-wing Daily "we don't need any excuses to kick the BBC" Mail talking it all up for their own malicious and insidious reasons.

That said, it does put some perspective on the recent changes that have been taking place at Radio 2. Perhaps, knowing that Labour was going to lose the General Election and that the Tories' bubbling policies would kick into effect, this has been a "plan B" for a good few years now?

Shall we start placing bets on how soon we'll hear the word "privatisation" in relation to the combined radio station?
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RockitRon



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 7646

PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This government, and its constituent parts, seems determined to hobble one of the few remaining British world-leading institutions, in the same way that the previous government hobbled, or allowed to be sold overseas, all the British-owned utility companies and most of our manufacturing industry.

Notwithstanding all the hoo-ha about overspending on talent and management the BBC gives tremendous value for its £145 licence fee. The cheapest plan with Sky costs £228 (£19 a month) for which you get telephone, restricted broadband (both of which are actually provided by someone else - BT) and, in addition to the five "free" terrestrial broadcasters channels and their digital extras, a few others pedalling old movies, and repeats of classic BBC and ITV comedy and game shows, and some commercial radio stations.

As to Radios 1 and 2, despite what some people would have us think,, things have moved on a bit from their formation in 1967. There's a world of difference between them now - in the music they play and the audience they play to they're like roquefort and emmenthal. They are just not compatible, despite the fact they both have breakfast presenters who sound like the world's oldest sixthformers.

Combining them would be as nonsensical as it would be impractical.

Selling them off is another matter entirely. They would certainly be worth more separately than as a joint entity, but who would buy them? The only organisation with the resources which hasn't already got interests in commercial radio is Sky, and surely they would be allowed to buy only one.

Selling off Radio 1 has been mooted for nearly as long as the station has been going. It has a mass, young audience which advertisers will love; it plays noisy stuff which is great when it stops, but it rarely does - I detest it (and I hate roquefort as well). Let them have it - the proceeds will keep the country's debt at bay for half an hour or so. Just leave Radio 2 alone.
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Ron
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ColinB
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 9:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think that both Radio 1 and Radio 2 each serve their intended audiences reasonably well. According to those in my midst who do listen to Radio 1 (and who do seem to have very eclectic music tastes) the station does much to encourage new talent and promote/develop all existing genres, so I will defend its existence.

Radio 2 also has an audience - although neither I nor its controller seem to understand how it is constituted - and so I support its continued existence as well.

However, when the Tories (yes, we have a Tory government regardless of what lapdog Clegg might believe) start making noises so soon after election, it's clear that they're up to something.

My suspicion is that the Thatcher woman has had a word in the shell-like of young "Call Me Dave" and has said to him: "Get that BBC. I didn't manage to bring it to its knees as I always aimed to so now's your chance, m'laddo".

And Beware the Ides of March! The Murdoch Mafia is hiding in the wings.
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Rachel
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 2:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The BBC has grown into a monster much larger than its original purpose, it’s no longer a public service but a self-serving left-wing institution hijacked by its own employees. It really does need to be reset. To compare the cost of the licence fee to Sky’s fees is unfair because the Sky package you mention, Ron, includes telephone and broadband. The actual cost of the basic Sky “TV” package is around £7 per month which is considerably less expensive than the BBC Licence Fee. The explosion of channels on the BBC (and Sky) over recent years combined with the BBC’s politically correct programming directives has led to a reduction in quality programming, which is directly responsible for the social division, unrest and exclusion we see in the UK today. I would go as far to say that the BBC is responsible for the loss of our collective National Identity. The Licence Fee should be around £98.50: the number of TV and Radio channels should be reduced accordingly, meaning fewer channels with higher quality programming with much larger audiences. We need BBC generated water-cooler moments everyday of the week- the only way to get that is to make the organisation sit up and listen. A reduction in the Licence fee is the only way the BBC will listen.

As for Radio 1 and 2 (day time)– you really do have to examine them at a macro level to spot the difference. Yes they have different music and presenters but that doesn’t make them different from each other in terms of what they are trying to do. Essentially, they are both hunting the same Elephants, only with different guns.
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ColinB
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rachel wrote:
The actual cost of the basic Sky “TV” package is around £7 per month which is considerably less expensive than the BBC Licence Fee.


We have a basic Sky decoder which we bought outright initially (about 4 years ago) and we don't pay monthly fees at all. I certainly don't subscribe to anything from Sky since I won't support the Murdoch Mafia over and above what I have already. My son has a satellite decoder he bought at Maplin and fitted himself that receives the same channels as us - again, no money due to the Murdoch Clan.

Don't forget, also, that without the BBC's investment in programming and programme-making infrastructures over the years, there would be much less content available to air on the Sky platform.

Rachel wrote:
The explosion of channels on the BBC (and Sky) over recent years combined with the BBC’s politically correct programming directives has led to a reduction in quality programming, which is directly responsible for the social division, unrest and exclusion we see in the UK today. I would go as far to say that the BBC is responsible for the loss of our collective National Identity.


I don't agree, Rachel. I think the media as a whole is partly responsible - and that includes the Murdoch/News International-owned media. I also blame the Thatcher-inspired deregulation of broadcasting that took place in the early 1990s. I have a sneaky feeling that Cameron is going to pick up Thatcher's baton in this respect........... and I'll fight it all the way if he does.

Rachel wrote:
The Licence Fee should be around £98.50: the number of TV and Radio channels should be reduced accordingly, meaning fewer channels with higher quality programming with much larger audiences. We need BBC generated water-cooler moments everyday of the week- the only way to get that is to make the organisation sit up and listen. A reduction in the Licence fee is the only way the BBC will listen.


Sadly, I think you might be right on that score. The BBC has been far too self-indulgent in its media-outlet expansion in recent years and probably has abused its publically-funded position.

Rachel wrote:
As for Radio 1 and 2 (day time)– you really do have to examine them at a macro level to spot the difference. Yes they have different music and presenters but that doesn’t make them different from each other in terms of what they are trying to do. Essentially, they are both hunting the same Elephants, only with different guns.


I don't think they are hunting the same elephants at all; my son (26) listens to Radio One when he does listen to radio (which isn't often). When he hears Radio 2 - Ken Bruce, Jeremy Vine, Steve Wright or - bless him! - Chris Evans*, he immediately protests loudly. I can't say I blame him. Daytime Radio 2 is much different to daytime Radio One.


*He said only the other day "Me and my mates all think that Chris Evans is a knob". Like father, like son!!! Smile
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essexlady



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 348
Location: Essex

PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can't say I've noticed much political content (let alone bias) on Radio 2. I don't listen to Radio 1 so can't really comment, although it seems doubtful that there is much on that station either. From the rare occasions I hear the Jeremy Vine show I get the impression that the contributors are, overwhelmingly, the average Daily Mail reader type. Hardly left-wing. I find it difficult therefore to reconcile any perceived left-wing bias at the BBC with the need to combine Radios 1 and 2. Are Radio 2 and it's listeners entirely responsible for "Broken Britain". Confused
How can I get Sky TV for the sum you mention Rachel? The amount I have been quoted was much higher than that excluding the satellite dish and installation charges.
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ColinB
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 3:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

essexlady wrote:
How can I get Sky TV for the sum you mention Rachel? The amount I have been quoted was much higher than that excluding the satellite dish and installation charges.


If you only want the non-premium Tv and Radio channels (and there are now lots of them) then buy a satellite decoder and dish set from Maplin and pay someone a few quid to fit it for you. Failing that, choose the Freesat option. Either way, you're denying the Murdochs any money which can then be used to buy off political parties at general elections. Allegedly, m'lud.
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Helen May



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19374
Location: Cheshire

PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 4:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What do you get on Freesat that is different from Freeview?

Also from reading the article I'm finding it difficult to see how you come up with Radio 1 and 2 will have to be merged.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005
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ColinB
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Helen May wrote:
What do you get on Freesat that is different from Freeview?


Freesat isn't restricted by bandwidth to the same extent as Freeview and - of course - is delivered via digital satellite rather than terrestrial digital TV (video) transmitters. As a result of that, Freesat Digital Video Broadcasting by Satellite or DVB-S) is much better and more consistently reliable than DVB-T (DVB-Terrestrial) and can be received by a much greater proportion of the population. That's why the BBC has been a prime mover in Freesat as well as Freeview and provided much of the research for the technology which is internationally licensed. Several major TV brands, like Panasonic and Sony, now incorporate Freesat into their Viera and Bravia HDTVs respectively and the quality is very good.

Like Freeview, Freesat is free to air, which means that you only need to acquire the hardware to receive it. Unlike channels on the Sky platform, there's no ongoing payment for the basic package - although there are "paid" channel options as well (as there is on Freeview).

Freesat is a much better technology platform for high definition, too, due to the fact that HD requires a huge amount of bandwidth relative to standard definition channels. The big problem with BBC HD at the moment is that they're putting the squeeze on the amount of data associated with the HD picture and this looks worse than - say - Sky's own premium HD channels.

PS: Yes, you can get Freesat equivalents to the Sky+ and Sky+HD HDD recorders, too, but not a lot of people know that.
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Helen May



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19374
Location: Cheshire

PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Colin!

So there is no difference in the number of channels available?

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005
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ColinB
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Helen May wrote:
So there is no difference in the number of channels available?


I don't use Freesat so I'm not sure. It's very likely that there are more though.
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SantaFefan



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk

PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've got a Freesat receiver.. I just went through the channels available.


BBC 1, BBC 2, ITV, Channel 4, 5, BBC 3, BBC 4, BBC HD, BBC ALBA,

ITV 2, ITV 2+1, ITV 3, ITV 3+1, ITV 4, ITV 4+1, ITV 1HD,

SC4 Digidol (?), C4+1, E4, E4+1, More 4, More 4+1,

CBS Drama, CBS Reality, CBS Action, Horror, Horror+1, BET, BET+1,

Tru Ent, BBC News, BBC Parliament, S4C2,

Aljaz England, Euro News, France 24, Russia Today, CNN, Bloomberg,

NHK World, CNBC, Film 4, Film 4+1, True Movies, Movies for Men,

Movies for Men+1, Wedding TV, Wedding Asia, Info TV, Showcase,

Food Network ( Mrs SFF's favourite channel! Rolling Eyes ) Food network +1,

Chart Show, The Vault, Flava, B4J Music, NME TV, Zing, Clubland,

CBBC, C Beebies, CITV, Pop, Popgirl, Tiny Pop, Kix, Teacher's TV,

INI, Daystar TV, Revelation, Islam Channel.


Plus all the radio stations...


The main station we watched/recorded was "Rural TV" as it featured plenty of programmes on American Horse action and American Railroads! but it's recently been taken off for some reason..
Still, I record Starsky & Hutch and the original Startrek on CBS action... Razz
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Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.
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Helen May



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19374
Location: Cheshire

PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Think that's more than is on the built in Freeview. Don't think there are any CBS channels but I must admit I've not looked at it much.

Sometimes I wonder why we bother with SKY but O/H likes the sports!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005
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SantaFefan



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk

PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm pretty impressed with Virgin tbh.. they "upgraded" us a while back at no expense so now we receive all the channels on the list apart from most of the SKY ones.

Two Virgin V boxes with 80 hours HDD each plus 20mb ( so I'm told ) Broadband and Telephone comes out at about £65 per month.
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Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.
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