BBC: important institution or passed sell by date

[Jah Lush]

Yeah, but the Gallaghers from Oasis obviously. Shameless - brilliant. Oasis - shite.

[Keef]

Only just read this thread. I basically agree with everything Mockney said in his first post... Just so long as they keep hold of Match of the Day I'm happy... Oh, and love Radio 4. Agree that they should be above the whole reality TV rubbish.

[mattham]

Mockney is absolutely right aboubt dumbing down ? the BBC needs to be careful. That said, it's still essential. I'd like to refer anyone who's been complaining about the whole Queen/Blue Peter cat debate to the US. Try watching any American network for more than 10 minutes ? it's impossible; not least with all the ads. Beside, Murdoch absolutely hates the BBC ? that must mean it's OK, right?

[mattham]

I should add, of course, that Americans make great TV (Deadwood, Six Feet Under etc), but just air it badly.

[Keef]

And The Sopranos, which is almost over *sniff*... It was so good this weekend, and only 3 more episodes to go!!!!

[mamafeelgood]

the irony is that most americans have to pay for the stuff we enjoy for free, often a year later, but still free!

apparently at a sky party a few years back they rolled out a cake in the shape of tv centre (that's the famous bbc building down wood lane for any not in the know) for all the staff to eat. to say that the man hates the bbc is an understatement and as mentioned above should be a reason to celebrate. i love the fact that he keeps trying to come up with a rival to freeview but keeps being caught out for still making people pay.

as i have asked above though, how does the bbc fit into the future of telly? people demand high brow but at the same time scream about low viewing figures that do not justify the licence fee: who is right?

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

Me - I'm always right!

[mattham]

possibly the only way for the BBC to weather the future is to offer all of its content for download or podcast. That would certainly make the licence fee better value for money.

viewing figures are lower now than they used to be as there are so many other media diversions ? this forum being a classic example. But if people could choose what to watch/listen to and when figures would certainly go up.

[Asset]

more than 2,000 jobs being cut at the BBC, announced today.

[mamafeelgood]

nearly all of them in factual, very sad. without a contract production staff just don't have the confidence to say no to decisions taken higher up and then standards slip. basically when wanting to 'sex up' a story that you have found for viewing figures if you say no you get pushed out. i know this from personal experience and other's unhappy times in docs.

having said that there are still some great docs being made.

[SeanMacGabhann]

as this has moved on to great US shows, I now, predictably, mention... oh, not even I can do it again

BBC as an institution is a strange mix of complacent and defensive. TV output, especially factual stuff, has become nigh on unwatchable. I almost prefer Sky news to BBC news and I never thought I would say that (although I don't like any TV news really, apart from maybe Ch 4)

As I get older I find it's not about the TV though - the breadth of services across the radio stations and web is frankly an embarrasment of riches for which we should give daily thanks

and for dumping Jon Gaunt, they also deserve special thanks

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Hear, hear. I love GLR/London Live but could never stand that ******** Gaunt.

[Azul]

I can't live without 6music, best radio station ever.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Sunday mornings, 6music, Natasha

nuff said