Television and Radio in the UK University Foundation course Life in Britain
Mar 26, 2015
Television and Radio in the UKTelevision and Radio in the UK
University Foundation course
Life in Britain
University Foundation course
Life in Britain
British PressBritish Press
Biggest daily newspapers… tabloids lots of photos obsessed with celebrities sex and scandal
…Frivolous (opposite of serious)
Biggest daily newspapers… tabloids lots of photos obsessed with celebrities sex and scandal
…Frivolous (opposite of serious)
For serious news…For serious news…
BroadcastingBroadcastingBroadcastingBroadcasting
The BBCThe BBC
Reputation for truth
for objectivity
for impartiality
for independence
Reputation for truth
for objectivity
for impartiality
for independence
The BBCThe BBC
Founded in 1931 as a public service to bring ‘high culture to the masses’
Director General - John Reith - a man with a mission…
saw radio as a way to promote
learning & culture
(with some light entertainment too!!)
Founded in 1931 as a public service to bring ‘high culture to the masses’
Director General - John Reith - a man with a mission…
saw radio as a way to promote
learning & culture
(with some light entertainment too!!)
The BBCThe BBC
1932 BBC World Service
During World War 2…BBC became identified with democracy and free speech
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1122_75_years/page3.shtml
1932 BBC World Service
During World War 2…BBC became identified with democracy and free speech
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1122_75_years/page3.shtml
The BBCThe BBC
In the money-driven world of 21st Century…
…how does it remain independent?
…how does it fund its programming?
Advertising?
…the licence fee
In the money-driven world of 21st Century…
…how does it remain independent?
…how does it fund its programming?
Advertising?
…the licence fee
Commercial TVCommercial TV
Independent Television (ITV)
Started in 1954 Money comes from advertising Do advertisers influence programming? What about ITV News (ITN)?
Independent Television (ITV)
Started in 1954 Money comes from advertising Do advertisers influence programming? What about ITV News (ITN)?
Traditional TV ChannelsTraditional TV Channels
The ‘big’ five channels:
BBC1 (1936)
ITV (1954)
BBC2 (1964)
Channel 4 (1982)
Five (1997)…British households can now access huge number of
channels via satellite, cable, freeview digital channels…
The ‘big’ five channels:
BBC1 (1936)
ITV (1954)
BBC2 (1964)
Channel 4 (1982)
Five (1997)…British households can now access huge number of
channels via satellite, cable, freeview digital channels…
QualityQuality
With commercial TV came the question of quality…
What is relationship between advertising revenue and the number of viewers?
More viewers = more expensive advertising rates = more revenue
Pressure on ITV to make popular TV
In early years ITV captured 75% of BBC audience…
With commercial TV came the question of quality…
What is relationship between advertising revenue and the number of viewers?
More viewers = more expensive advertising rates = more revenue
Pressure on ITV to make popular TV
In early years ITV captured 75% of BBC audience…
The Ratings WarThe Ratings War
BBC and main commercial channels in constant competition with each other to get largest share of the audience
Biggest battle is between the two mainSoap Operas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcW4ZzlxVHc&NR=1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvjYPB8sXiY
BBC and main commercial channels in constant competition with each other to get largest share of the audience
Biggest battle is between the two mainSoap Operas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcW4ZzlxVHc&NR=1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvjYPB8sXiY
The ratings: a typical weekThe ratings: a typical week
British Quality TVBritish Quality TV
Has popular TV led to ‘dumbing down’?? Highest paid performer on TV in 2002 was
…a history professor!!(David Starkey, paid £2m by channel 4 for documentary series on British
monarchs)
To finish, some Award-winning comedy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Tck7-1Ooc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l5twcFiYd0
Has popular TV led to ‘dumbing down’?? Highest paid performer on TV in 2002 was
…a history professor!!(David Starkey, paid £2m by channel 4 for documentary series on British
monarchs)
To finish, some Award-winning comedy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Tck7-1Ooc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l5twcFiYd0