Things we didn't know about the B.B.C.

[vinteuil]

I suspect most of us are not too fussy about the wording ...

... I think you will find it's a bit more complicated than that.

[amateur51]

... I think you will find it's a bit more complicated than that.

Methinks scotty has bamboozled everyone, particularly himself.

Get your nose into some Gramsci, scotty

[MrGongGong]

Methinks scotty has bamboozled everyone, particularly himself.

Get your nose into some Gramsci, scotty

I'll put my hand up and see if miss notices me,

I love this though

I suspect most of us are not too fussy about the wording

what's that Alice quote that some are fond of ?

[scottycelt]

... I think you will find it's a bit more complicated than that.

You mean arranging for removal and disposal of the "vertigoan's" body at the bottom of the precipice ... ?

[Serial_Apologist]

As heard on the Clapham Omnibus would be Clapham Common Sense; except now that Boris has opened it, it would be heard on the latest Overground link from Clapham to Wapping, 'cos it's faster, see?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

Was Reith the antithesis of King Knut?

[Flosshilde]

... some people seem to respond to situations by saying "It's only common sense!"

Others by saying "I think you will find it's a bit more complicated than that... "

And of the latter am I.

As is anyone with real sense rather than 'common' sense.

[scottycelt]

As is anyone with real sense rather than 'common' sense.

Ah, so it's actually the word 'common' that you are sniffy about ... typical 21st Century socialist.

[amateur51]

Ah, so it's actually the word 'common' that you are sniffy about ... typical 21st Century socialist.

Not scotty, it's the idea of something shared in common with the rest of one's fellow human beings, a concept that pays no attention to the notion of flux and power in human affairs and ideas and so is largely false and generally useless

[scottycelt]

Not scotty, it's the idea of something shared in common with the rest of one's fellow human beings, a concept that pays no attention to the notion of flux and power in human affairs and ideas and so is largely false and generally useless

Gotcha, amsey! ... you mean 'no such thing as society', that sort of idea?

[amateur51]

Gotcha, amsey! ... you mean 'no such thing as society', that sort of idea?

Nope!

[Russ]

I think that by far and away the most interesting aspect of Lord Reith in the context of FoR3 is his opposition to segmenting audiences by splitting programming genres across different networks.

Generally, the 'modern' stations, i.e. modern in Reithian terms, viz: R1, R2, R4X, 5live and 6Music, are geared for specific programme/cultural genres, and do not attempt to segment audiences. Ignoring for a moment R4X as an overspill for the long-acknowledged drama/readings archive for which the BBC saw a potentially sizeable audience and modern technology by which it could be broadcast, and the schizophrenic 5live, uncomfortably (at least it seems to me) combining live news and live sport, the big problem areas of post-war overlap and segmentatlon remain the monoliths of R4 and R3, which in terms of spread of programme content are much the same as they were in 'Home Service' and 'Third Programme' eras. Both R3 and R4 are in competition with each other, and neither appear willing to concede ground to the other, so I'm not quite sure why you think 'Breakfast on 3' and pop music documentaries on R4 are modern Reithian approaches.

Russ

[Lateralthinking1]

Generally, the 'modern' stations, i.e. modern in Reithian terms, viz: R1, R2, R4X, 5live and 6Music, are geared for specific programme/cultural genres, and do not attempt to segment audiences. Ignoring for a moment R4X as an overspill for the long-acknowledged drama/readings archive for which the BBC saw a potentially sizeable audience and modern technology by which it could be broadcast, and the schizophrenic 5live, uncomfortably (at least it seems to me) combining live news and live sport, the big problem areas of post-war overlap and segmentatlon remain the monoliths of R4 and R3, which in terms of spread of programme content are much the same as they were in 'Home Service' and 'Third Programme' eras. Both R3 and R4 are in competition with each other, and neither appear willing to concede ground to the other, so I'm not quite sure why you think 'Breakfast on 3' and pop music documentaries on R4 are modern Reithian approaches.

Russ

I am not sure if I fully understand you so please let me know if I am misinterpreting you. R3 and R4 are widely regarded as the standard bearers. I think that they are often presented as being most in line with Reith.

The concerns of FoR3, and those who support standards on R4, include the observation that these services now contain elements more suited to other stations. This is a key part of the criticism about dumbing down.

My argument is that traditional approaches to R3 and R4 are only accurately described as Reithian to the extent that he stood for formal presentation. It is a common misreading that a clear delineation in content between the stations is Reithian.

Actually he believed in a bit of everything on all stations. The clear demarcation lines were a consequence of radical changes by the Attlee Government and hence belong to a later era. I happen to believe that the vision then was superior to that of Reith.

As an aside, I would say sport is a mismatch with all radio content. It has been tried in every possible combination and none of it works. The same is true of schools programmes. I favour a new Radio 7 - sport and schools. Even then, it wouldn't be perfect.

[eighthobstruction]

....Wasn't it lovely when all was quiet on the forum and Mods didn't have to leap in.....

I was going to start a thread about LOrd Reith....but in research came upon this thread....(FULL of old names, attitudes and styles

....How would I have liked the 6' 6" Reith staring over my shoulder if I were an assistant....the one that was +/- on Fascism....the one that tried to stand up to goverment in 1926....the one who was not positive toward original Third Programme....the one with Presbyterian values etc etc....

So I am taking the starting point of Reith ....

[french frank]

Reith [...] the one who was not positive toward original Third Programme....

R3 broadcast a drama 'The Reith Affair' some years back. And I think it was Sir William Haley (Bill to his friends) who championed the Third Programme. Was it Reith who considered it 'elitist'? I'm trying to remember what was said in The Envy of the World - long time, no read.