The BBC is an organisation that in my experience is, generally, benevolent; and the broadcasting regulator Ofcom is full of good intentions too. But this week they have between them managed to concoct a policy that could weaken the corporation and increase dissatisfaction among its audiences.
In its annual report on the BBC, Ofcom swooped on what it saw as a greater unhappiness with programming among audiences in lower socio-economic groups – even calling them ‘disenfranchised’. In reply, the BBC has seemed to accept the criticism and told Ofcom that it will commission more TV content aimed at C2DE audiences ‘particularly lighter drama, crime drama and comedy drama, as well as factual entertainment competition formats and sports documentaries.’
If the BBC is to thrive it needs to break out of a box-ticking mentality
The immediate instinct might be to sob gently for a few minutes at the foolishness of regulators and some BBC managers.
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