Backing for BBC's new channels
BECTU has written to Culture Secretary James Purnell to support the BBC's proposals for three new broadband channels.
The BBC applied to expand its broadband services a few months ago
Focusing on local programme provision, the plans include expansion through three services: MyNewsShow, MySportNow and MyLocalNow. BECTU sees this as reinforcing the BBC's presence at local, national and international levels, giving it a "more personalised and participative character to the Corporation's output".
Any new channels that the BBC plans to launch have to be approved by the Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport. An application was made by the BBC a few months ago to create these three channels, which will provide local coverage on a regional basis.
General Secretary Gerry Morrissey said: “At a time when regional provision is being cut back by companies such as ITV, we are openly supporting this initiative and optimistic it will provide job opportunities as well."
Letter to James Purnell
Dear James Purnell
I am writing to express strong support from BECTU for the BBC's proposed new broadband expansion through three new services: MyNewsShow, MySportNow and MyLocalNow. We see these as a welcome substitute for the abandoned proposals for a local television service.
We see this development as maximising the BBC's massive strength its universal and multimedia reach. The BBC has a strong presence at local, national and global levels. It delivers content on television, on radio and online. These new services will significantly reinforce the local and online dimensions of the Corporation's overall output. They will give it a more personalised and participative character. They will therefore make the BBC even more relevant as a content provider with universal appeal in the digital future. No other British media organisation whether in broadcasting, in the printed media or in online services can offer anything remotely equivalent.
We see these services as responding to proven audience demand as indicated by the results of the BBC's broadband trials of local news in Hull and the West Midlands. This is especially important when regional news provision in ITV is under threat (a threat we strongly oppose). We also see these services as future-proofing BBC output for an audience (especially in younger age groups) which increasingly requires access to on-demand services at a time of their choosing and which looks to online/mobile sources for content as well as just to television and radio.
Far from being a threat to local print news providers, we believe these services will open up opportunities for local partnerships and local syndication in the right circumstances. Therefore, we do not think that the short-sighted commercial interest of print media groups should be allowed to undermine or prevent these developments.
In conclusion, I strongly urge you to give approval for the BBC to develop these new local online services, which will benefit both audiences and workers in the sector.
Yours sincerely
Gerry Morrissey
General Secretary
Wednesday 19 December 2007