BBC Trust

“If the BBC wasn’t there I wouldn’t have a clue what was going on in the world” was one telling comment heard from a participant at this event. Another indicator of the level of satisfaction with the BBC was a comment from another participant who said “I’m very very happy with the BBC – it evolves all the time and I’m happy to see it staying as it is”. There was a recognition amongst participants that “Convergence is key and accessing stuff via multiple devices is important for the BBC’s future”. In this context, one participant made the point that getting a new tablet device had enabled her to view new BBC material about which she was unaware previously, and that this had been a very welcome eye-opener.

In a less positive vein, several participants said it was disappointing that BBC One Wales and BBC Two Wales were not available as yet as HD channels and expressed the hope that this could be resolved quickly. There was particular interest in being able to watch sports (with rugby and football mentioned) on HD.

They considered that the Licence Fee was good value for money, and that it was essential that the BBC continued to produce and broadcast quality materials.

EastEnders, Waterloo Road, Mrs Brown’s Boys, Top Gear, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Casualty, Frozen Planet and The Story of Wales were all mentioned as being or having been appointments to view for participants. It was felt by many participants that comedy was an important element of the BBC’s provision though some felt that Mrs Brown’s Boys was sometimes crude in its humour. At the same time there was a recognition that the BBC’s provision was wide enough to offer its entire audience something they would enjoy.

“The BBC has very many programmes of a high quality – you just know that most things are going to be good”.  ITV/ITV2’s provision was not felt to be as strong in terms of quality. It was felt by some however that Snog Marry Avoid was an example of a programme which had run its course.

Several participants also said that watched Sgorio, Newyddion and Pobol y Cwm on S4C.

Chris Moyles on Radio 1 (prior to his departure from the breakfast slot) had been a very popular choice, though many participants listened to Radio Cymru for news. Radio 1 was a popular choice throughout its schedule and there was a great deal of residual appreciation amongst particpants that the Radio 1 Big Weekend had been held in the area in 2010.

All participants made use of bbc.co.uk – with the news and weather pages being a popular destination for many. Many accessed the Welsh news pages but some criticised the service for giving the impression – rightly or wrongly – of being a translation of English news stories.  They felt however that the level of local news on the BBC website was generally good and easy to find but there was a perception amongst some that news from their own vicinity failed to attract the attention of local BBC reporters.

Most participants accessed the website via a PC rather than through mobile devices. Participants praised the iPlayer service and accessed it though the PC, via the TV and through internet enabled Blu Ray Players. 

The Bitesize provision was used for revision purposes and while some felt it offered rather limited information, others praised it as a starting point for finding out about more information

There was a consensus that speed and ease of use was a key element of the BVBC’s on-line offering

The red button service was also praised with many participants having made extensive use of the service during the Olympic Games.

Breakfast news was considered good by some participants though others made the point that, along with most other Network News programmes, it was too British in its tone and failed to include enough news from Wales. Those felt that Radio Cymru was the best source of news from Wales and that it was necessary to listen to the station so as not to miss out on news from Wales.

Sky sports news was praised for its sports news

The BBC’s presenters for the Olympic Games were considered to have been first class, though some felt that the Great Britain football team had been presented as if it was the England team during the BBC’s coverage, that this was hugely regrettable and that the BBC should have done better.

One participant said “BBC Match of the Day is superb. I’d cry if it finished!”

Another said that the “BBC’s Rugby coverage is fantastic – but a shame that rugby coverage on BBC Two isn’t HD”.

Another felt that the BBC’s Formula One coverage was great and that it was a shame that the BBC had shared the broadcasting rights with Sky.

Many participants said that the Olympic Games have had a major effect on interest in athletics, basketball and other sports as a result of the Olympics coverage. Most participants felt that the BBC’s coverage of the Olympic Torch relay had also been good

Many participants felt that in comparison to the superb Olympics coverage, Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympic games had been blighted by the inclusion of “far too many adverts during the coverage”.

Many participants has used the Olympic streams to watch specific sports and this had resulted in them watching new sports such as Tae Kwando, weightlifting and others. Watching local competitors had been an important element of their viewing too.

Some participants felt that the BBC did not provide enough coverage of the Welsh Premier League.