New BBC Operating Licence

[subcontrabass]

Final version published today: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/asse...ng-licence.pdf

("news at intervals throughout the day" on Radio 3 - para 2.11 - who asked for that?)

[Frances_iom]

Final version published today: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/asse...ng-licence.pdf

("news at intervals throughout the day" on Radio 3 - para 2.11 - who asked for that?)

probably the same suit as currently schedule 5% of time to adverts (aka trailers)

[french frank]

Final version published today: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/asse...ng-licence.pdf

("news at intervals throughout the day" on Radio 3 - para 2.11 - who asked for that?)

FoR3 response was that R3 already does that. Depends what they mean by 'throughout the day - every hour? We also mentioned 'drama commitments' which they've added (because the BBC added them, not because we mentioned them

Has its same description for Radio 3 (which the government gave them): Radio 3: a service centred on classical music, alongside other music and art forms and speech output, and with a strong focus on live and specially recorded music;

We objected that this was not specific enough about other genres which make Radio 3 distinctive: "This is vague and does not indicate where Radio 3’s distinctiveness lies. If this present exercise is about ensuring distinctive BBC output, it seems a poor start to make no mention of content areas which are particularly distinctive. ‘Other music and art forms’? Why no mention of the specialist jazz (Radio 3’s jazz audience is not like Radio 2’s)? Or world music? Or drama (which is not like Radio 4’s)? Why no requirement for new drama productions, which was one of the Trust conditions?

They have totally ignored our point that raising the requirement for live or specially recorded music from the Trust's 40% of music output) to 45% was pretty pointless since it would allow Radio 3 to significantly reduce the current amount (58% in the last published source). Clueless.

In respect of Radio 3, the BBC must ensure that in each Financial Year:
2.28.1 at least 45% of the station’s music output consists of live or specially recorded
music;
2.28.2 it broadcasts at least 440 live or specially recorded performances;
2.28.3 it commissions at least 25 new musical works (excluding repeats); and
2.28.4 it broadcasts at least 35 new documentaries on arts and cultural topics (excluding repeats). For illustration only, documentaries on arts and cultural topics could include programmes to help audiences develop their understanding of music and other cultural topics such as history, science, philosophy, film, visual arts and literature.

All similar. Targets which Radio 3 exceeds by such a large margin that it could reduce them and play CDs instead.

We ended:

"Finally, we would welcome Ofcom proposing measures to ensure that:

a) Radio 3 is unable to dilute, in particular, its classical music content in order to appeal to a broader audience, in view of the adverse market impact on Classic FM and the adverse cultural impact on its existing audience; and that:
b) the BBC makes the necessary effort to break down the barriers (which its own market strategy has helped to erect) by regularly integrating the classic arts and classical music into mainstream services."

Zilch response. Ofcom even more useless than the the BBC Trust.

[Lat-Literal]

I don't like the trailers and I won't like more news.

I don't see how the commissioning of at least 25 new musical works could ever imply repeats so the phrase "excluding repeats", in my opinion, is unnecessary.

I don't believe Ofcom is the right body for the role.

It is quite clear that its starting point has been out of necessity to learn about radio content and while experts are so yesterday that isn't the best of starts.

[french frank]

I don't see how the commissioning of at least 25 new musical works could ever imply repeats so the phrase "excluding repeats", in my opinion, is unnecessary.

You must have read our submission, Lat

"The numerical quota is not the most useful measure for new commissions, since a new work could be anything from three minutes to thirty minutes or longer and by established composers or very young professionals. There must be a better way of measuring performance here. What does “excluding repeats” mean? Does the requirement refer to commissions or broadcasts? How can you repeat a commission?"

Actually, we know exactly what it means: that these are people who know not of what they speak.

I don't believe Ofcom is the right body for the role.

They aren't: they're more useless than the BBC Trust - who at least could concentrate on regulating the BBC rather than all the other PSB broadcasting, licensing of commercial broadcasters, allocation of spectrum, cleaning rotas, collection of office tea money ...

[Lat-Literal]

You must have read our submission, Lat

"The numerical quota is not the most useful measure for new commissions, since a new work could be anything from three minutes to thirty minutes or longer and by established composers or very young professionals. There must be a better way of measuring performance here. What does “excluding repeats” mean? Does the requirement refer to commissions or broadcasts? How can you repeat a commission?"

Actually, we know exactly what it means: that these are people who know not of what they speak.

They aren't: they're more useless than the BBC Trust - who at least could concentrate on regulating the BBC rather than all the other PSB broadcasting, licensing of commercial broadcasters, allocation of spectrum, cleaning rotas, collection of office tea money ...

I completely agree.

[french frank]

I completely agree.

It should be pointed out that we were responding to the draft proposals back in July. But they took no notice