Following are some key points from the BBC Trust’s review of children’s services:
Although CBeebies is perceived to be performing very well there is a recommendation that its Service licence should be amended to include a commitment to the BBC’s global public purpose (Recommendation 1)
CBBC on television is reaching a large audience. However, reach has declined since the scheduling changes made as a result of the loss of Neighbours, and there is particular concern regarding Blue Peter and Newsround audiences. The Trust is concerned about this and has asked the BBC Executive to develop plans to address this decline and report to the Trust by the summer of 2009. (Recommendation 3)
NB The Trust does not have the power to demand scheduling changes. However they do say that ‘Scheduling decisions which are likely to impact on children’s output should prioritise children’s content unless there is a strong public value reason for not doing so’
The CBBC web site is losing users and the report states that ‘the executive should develop plans to address this decline.’( Recommendation 4)
The Executive has proposed extending hours on the CBBC channel from 7 to 9 PM. This is something that SKTV also supported. The Trust ‘recognises the potential benefits’ of such an extension, but said this will have to be considered alongside other proposals as part of the wider digital terrestrial spectrum review. (Recommendation 6)
The Trust also comments on the BBC’s “Fewer Bigger Better” strategy, commenting that taken too far, this could begin to have a negative impact on performance. They note that this has already led to an increase in repeats, and has led to complaints from viewers. “Commissioning fewer…programmes at a time when other PSB broadcasters are retreating from children’s content could, if taken too far limit the range of programmes available to children…’ say the Trust. This a concern SKTV raised with the Trust and we feel that this has already become an issue.
The report also highlights the decline in audiences to programmes which make an important contribution to the BBC’s citizenship and global purposes, notably Blue Peter and Newsround (this is in the context of the re scheduling mentioned above). The executive is asked to develop plans to address boosting these audiences. (Recommendation 8 )
Value for money
The Trust believes that there is a lack of clarity about the real spend on children’s programmes due to the current system of allocating programme costs. This means that certain programmes are allocated to channel budgets rather than CBBC or CBeebies budgets. This makes it impossible to see what the real children’s budget is and whether it is appropriate or delivering value for money.
The Trust has proposed amending the Service Licences to include all CBBC and CBeebies expenditure on television programmes including those first broadcast on BBC1 or BBC2. (Recommendation 9)
The Trust expresses real concern about the content and reach of children’s radio and asks the Executive for an alternative approach. (Recommendation 11)
Future Direction
The report lists the following factors, which need to be monitored:
- Risks and Uncertainties associated with the Executive’s investment plans over the period of the licence fee
- Efficiency savings
- “Fewer Bigger Better”
- Commercial income forecasts
- The move to Salford
- Wider industry developments
In their final recommendation they say ‘The Trust believes that the BBC must remain a corner stone of high quality UK produced children’s content. However the Executive has not yet determined what level of performance is required to meet this aim. For planning purposes the Executive should be clearer about the performance objectives for children’s provision and consider whether the existing budget is sufficient to meet these objectives taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the current budget’
This is a very brief digest of a very detailed report. It can be read in full at here. SKTV welcomes the BBC Trust Report, which we believe is a fair representation of the status quo and looks forward to hearing the response from the Executive. We look for clear action, guaranteed commitment in terms of both hours, spend, and expect the Trust to ensure this.
