BBC Trust

Drama was considered a key part of the BBC’s TV offering – though many participants felt that drama had become an increasingly dark genre. Several expressed their desire for more light-hearted drama output, and in this context Last Tango in Halifax, The Paradise and Indian Doctor were praised. There was praised too for the BBC’s costume dramas. Some participants also said they enjoyed the Danish drama series, Montalbano, Atlantis, Casualty, Merlin and Doctor Who. One participant praised BBC Drama for “thinking outside the box”. Opinion was divided on continuing drama (soap operas) with some considering them a waste of time, but others thought them worthwhile and felt that some storylines were helpful in terms of educating audiences on particular issues or could help people in similar situations.

Comedy was also considered an important genre and while several participants said that “the old ones were the best” several contemporary comedies were mentioned, including Have I got News For You, Miranda, Outnumbered and Mrs Brown’s Boys.

Sport divided opinions, with some participants expressing the view that they missed having the same level of sport on BBC outlets as in the past, with some saying they missed the comprehensive coverage of rugby (with the Lions tour of Australia mentioned), cricket and soccer shown by the BBC in the past. Others felt that sports coverage had deteriorated recently due to too much attention being given to the crowds and the build-up to the match, rather than the game itself.

The BBC’s range of channels was praised, although those present predominantly watched BBC One and BBC Two. Some participants praised BBC Three for its excellent documentaries, with a recent programme on saving the honey bee being mentioned. Participants also felt that it provided a good insight into the lives of young people and Family Guy being a favourite of a number of participants! Some participants expressed their sadness that there were now no children’s programmes on any of the BBC’s four mainstream channels.

Other participants criticised the level of day-time repeats on BBC Two

Current affairs and documentary programmes were widely appreciated though some felt that they were scheduled too late in the evening. Some expressed the view that Question Time’s audience was not balanced enough and that not enough views aired during the programme.

BBC News was the first choice for participants, with the presenters considered the most sincere. The view was expressed that there was inadequate coverage of the National Assembly for Wales in the BBC’s Network News, and that Wales was treated as a second class nation.

There was a perception amongst some participants that too much news was anticipatory – e.g. ‘later today … will happen’.

Others expressed their frustration that “John Humphreys never listens to answers”.

Some participants expressed their frustration at what they felt was the excessively ”servile approach” to coverage of the Royal family, and a number felt that the coverage of the recent birth of Prince George had been excessive.

There was a widespread perception that the BBC’s Network News was of a high quality. The BBC World Service was considered to be of a particularly high quality.

Some participants felt that on-screen captions (particularly during Breakfast News) were on the screen for too short a time which made it difficult to read and understand.

There was a consensus amongst participants that the level of background music in some productions was too loud – with The Paradise given as an example. Some also felt that actors failed to project their voices, and that the level of background music compounded this and made sections of dialogue impossible to understand.

Several participants expressed their enthusiasm for Radio 4’s Afternoon Play.

Several participants expressed their concerns at the TV pm watershed, with some of the opinion that there was little suitable as family viewing after 9pm, and some expressing the view that unsuitable material was shown too soon after 9pm.

While frustration was expressed at the recent “excessive pay-offs” of BBC staff which were considered a waste of money and high levels of talent pay, the Licence fee was, on the whole considered good value for money.