2. Television and Radio in the UK University Foundation course Life in Britain University Foundation course Life in Britain

3. British Press Biggest daily newspapers… tabloids lots of photos obsessed with celebrities sex and scandal …Frivolous (opposite of serious) Biggest daily newspapers… tabloids lots of photos obsessed with celebrities sex and scandal …Frivolous (opposite of serious)

4. For serious news… BroadcastingBroadcasting

5. The BBC Reputation for truth for objectivity for impartiality for independence Reputation for truth for objectivity for impartiality for independence

6. The BBC Founded in 1931 as a public service to bring high culture to the masses Director General - John Reith - a man with a mission… saw radio as a way to promote learning & culture (with some light entertainment too!!) Founded in 1931 as a public service to bring high culture to the masses Director General - John Reith - a man with a mission… saw radio as a way to promote learning & culture (with some light entertainment too!!)

7. The BBC 1932 BBC World Service During World War 2…BBC became identified with democracy and free speech http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1122_ 75_years/page3.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1122_ 75_years/page3.shtml 1932 BBC World Service During World War 2…BBC became identified with democracy and free speech http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1122_ 75_years/page3.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1122_ 75_years/page3.shtml

8. The BBC In the money-driven world of 21st Century… …how does it remain independent? …how does it fund its programming? Advertising? … the licence fee In the money-driven world of 21st Century… …how does it remain independent? …how does it fund its programming? Advertising? … the licence fee

9. Commercial TV Independent Television (ITV) Started in 1954 Money comes from advertising Do advertisers influence programming? What about ITV News (ITN)? Independent Television (ITV) Started in 1954 Money comes from advertising Do advertisers influence programming? What about ITV News (ITN)?

10. Traditional TV Channels The big five channels: BBC1 (1936) ITV (1954) BBC2 (1964) Channel 4 (1982) Five (1997) …British households can now access huge number of channels via satellite, cable, freeview digital channels… The big five channels: BBC1 (1936) ITV (1954) BBC2 (1964) Channel 4 (1982) Five (1997) …British households can now access huge number of channels via satellite, cable, freeview digital channels…

11. Quality With commercial TV came the question of quality… What is relationship between advertising revenue and the number of viewers? More viewers = more expensive advertising rates = more revenue Pressure on ITV to make popular TV In early years ITV captured 75% of BBC audience… With commercial TV came the question of quality… What is relationship between advertising revenue and the number of viewers? More viewers = more expensive advertising rates = more revenue Pressure on ITV to make popular TV In early years ITV captured 75% of BBC audience…

12. The Ratings War BBC and main commercial channels in constant competition with each other to get largest share of the audience Biggest battle is between the two main Soap Operas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcW4ZzlxVHc& NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvjYPB8sXiY BBC and main commercial channels in constant competition with each other to get largest share of the audience Biggest battle is between the two main Soap Operas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcW4ZzlxVHc& NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvjYPB8sXiY

13. The ratings: a typical week

14. British Quality TV Has popular TV led to dumbing down?? Highest paid performer on TV in 2002 was …a history professor!! (David Starkey, paid £2m by channel 4 for documentary series on British monarchs) To finish, some Award-winning comedy… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Tck7-1Ooc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l5twcFiYd0 Has popular TV led to dumbing down?? Highest paid performer on TV in 2002 was …a history professor!! (David Starkey, paid £2m by channel 4 for documentary series on British monarchs) To finish, some Award-winning comedy… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Tck7-1Ooc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l5twcFiYd0