[Gllug] Plug for Ogg Vorbis and OSS on BBC Click Online

[Richard Turner]

On Sun, 2003-08-31 at 19:57, Chris Bell wrote:
> Unfortunately there is not "a BBC" at present, the previous
> administration completely destroyed cooperation by splitting the corporation
> into as many pieces ("business units") as possible, forcing them to compete
> with each other for any work, while making it as difficult as possible to
> use internal resources instead of hiring outside facilities. The government
> of the time insisted on very expensive annual external audits, which just
> resulted in surprise at the low overall running costs, but they still went
> ahead with the changes.
>    It used to be possible to obtain the best help and advice available just
> by asking around, but trade secrets and other help and assistance became
> only available if you would pay for them, right down to the cost of the last
> paperclip. Programmes were purchased from anyone they could persuade to make
> them, and shared funding was accepted, so they had less control over
> content. Very similar programmes made by the same contractor even appeared
> without warning on competing channels, sometimes only days before the BBC
> "exclusive" version. The content may not have been identical, but it was
> still obviously made at the same time.
>    There were huge hidden costs, admin staff multiplied to cope with
> arranging contracts, and second-guessing what should be written into them,
> while the slightest change resulted in huge penalty charges. The current
> management is fighting to get some sense back into the system, but it will
> be a long battle.
> 
I think it's a terrible shame.  I like the BBC and am proud of it
(still), but the situation you describe certainly explains the downturn
in the quality of its productions in recent years.  The British still
produce the best television in the world, and the BBC World Service is
fantastic, but wouldn't it be nice if they could start producing
television that's worth watching again.

I confess, I'm not a Fame Academy fan.
-- 
"Racing turtles, the grapefruit is winning..."


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