BBC Governors demand quality programming

Quality programming and efficiency must be the central priorities of BBC managers, a new style Annual Report and Accounts published today by the corporation’s Board of Governors has concluded.
In the Report, the Governors said management must offer quality programmes and services to licence payers that represent value for money.
In his opening statement, Chairman Michael Grade said: "Traditionally the Annual Report and Accounts has been as much about marketing the BBC as holding it to account – and as much about management's view of its own performance as about the Governors' view of management's performance.
"This Annual Report is different and we intend to take this process further in future years."
The Governors requested management to focus in particular on improving the efficiency of production processes.
They note steady progress has been made, but say much more can be achieved: "The BBC must now set itself more stretching efficiency targets if it is to deliver licence payers the best possible value for money.
"The key challenge lies in improving the efficiency of production processes, and progress here – particularly in terms of benchmarking production costs – has not been as rapid as we had expected."
On programming, the Governors express concern about a decline in audience perceptions of the quality of BBC output over recent years.
This finding contrasts with both the increased reach of BBC Television and research indicating that audiences believe the BBC offers the best quality in the majority of genres.
The Governors conclude that work is needed to understand this better, including whether the perceived decline in quality relates to the BBC in particular or to broadcasting in general.
In his statement, Michael Grade makes the point that: "The BBC has constantly to renew and refresh the bonds that link us to audiences. We have to listen, learn and respond – and then go back and do it again."
In the year ahead, the Governors will commission an independent study of BBC One to assess whether or not the channel has the right balance of output in peak time.
In the future the BBC will place even greater importance on the value viewers and listeners derive from its programmes and services.
Michael Grade said: "It is right that the BBC justifies its privileged position. It is important that we have the appropriate targets in place to ensure the BBC's programmes and services reflect what really matters – the needs and interests of our funders, the licence payers."
(GB)