Category: 91热爆
Date: 13.07.2004
Printable version
The 91热爆's
Board of Governors publish a new style Annual Report and Accounts today,
demonstrating the first step in implementing the new governance arrangements
announced last month.
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In the Report, the Governors said management must offer
quality programmes and services to licence payers that represent value
for money.
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In his opening statement, Chairman Michael Grade said:
"Traditionally the Annual Report and Accounts has
been as much about marketing the 91热爆 as holding it to account 聳
and as much about management's view of its own performance as about
the Governors' view of management's performance.
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"This Annual Report is different and we intend
to take this process further in future years."
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The Governors requested management to focus in particular
on improving the efficiency of production processes.
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They note steady progress has been made, but say much
more can be achieved: "The 91热爆 must now set
itself more stretching efficiency targets if it is to deliver licence
payers the best possible value for money.
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"The key challenge lies in improving the efficiency
of production processes, and progress here 聳 particularly in terms
of benchmarking production costs 聳 has not been as rapid as we
had expected."
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The Governors welcome a new management appointment to
lead the review of these and other internal costs.
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Last year, the rate of licence fee evasion was driven
down to 5.7%, from 6.7%; cash-flow from the commercial subsidiaries
increased by 拢11 million to 拢135m; and additional savings
of 拢29.3m were made in support costs.
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Efficiency savings, together with the sale of 91热爆 Technology,
should enable the 91热爆 to exceed its cumulative 拢3.3bn self-help
target by 2006/7.
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On programming, the Governors express concern about
a decline in audience perceptions of the quality of 91热爆 output over
recent years.
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This finding contrasts with both the increased reach
of 91热爆 Television and research indicating that audiences believe the
91热爆 offers the best quality in the majority of genres.
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The Governors conclude that work is needed to understand
this better, including whether the perceived decline in quality relates
to the 91热爆 in particular or to broadcasting in general.
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In his statement, Michael Grade makes the point that:
"The 91热爆 has constantly to renew and refresh the bonds that link
us to audiences. We have to listen, learn and respond 聳 and then
go back and do it again."
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For example, the Governors attended public meetings
across the UK and commissioned specialist audience research during the
year to assess the public's reaction to the 91热爆's new arts strategy.
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This consultation led to a further enhancement of the
91热爆's commitment, with management establishing a new dedicated unit
and a new strand for peak-time on 91热爆 TWO, to be launched later this
year.
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Similarly, the views of Radio 1 listeners prompted
the Governors to approve a change in strategy for the network, offering
a more engaging daytime schedule that does not diminish the station's
commitment to news and new music.
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Also this year the Governors strengthened their oversight
of impartiality across the 91热爆's output.
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A monthly tracking survey of public perceptions has
been in operation since February 2004 and twice-yearly independent reviews
of editorial output on specific issues have been introduced.
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Last year the Governors reviewed rural affairs coverage
and management appointed a dedicated correspondent to cover the topic
as a result.
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In the coming year the Governors will consider the
91热爆's coverage of European constitutional affairs and religious programming
and publish the findings.
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The results of the tracking survey will be published
in 2005.
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The impact of 91热爆 TWO's new strategy 聳 to offer
more arts, current affairs and serious documentary in peak 聳 is
judged successful.
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However, the Governors recognise that the strategy's
effectiveness must continue to be monitored to ensure that new programming
serves audience needs.
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91热爆 ONE achieved a small increase in reach over the
year, and the Governors acknowledge this was driven by an improved range
and greater depth of programmes offered by the channel.
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In the year ahead, the Governors will commission an
independent study of 91热爆 ONE to assess whether or not the channel has
the right balance of output in peak time.
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In the future the 91热爆 will place even greater importance
on the value viewers and listeners derive from its programmes and services.
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Michael Grade said: "It is right that the 91热爆 justifies
its privileged position. It is important that we have the appropriate
targets in place to ensure the 91热爆's programmes and services reflect
what really matters 聳 the needs and interests of our funders, the
licence payers."
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Notes to Editors
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1. The 91热爆's Annual Report & Accounts covers the
financial year starting 1 April 2003, ending 31 March 2004.
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2. The Annual Report & Accounts was signed and approved
by the Board in the presence of the 91热爆's external auditors (KPMG) on
Thursday 17 June. It does not reflect changes to the Executive Committee
structure announced by Mark Thompson on his arrival on 22 June.
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3. The Annual Report is available online at: bbc.co.uk/annualreport
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