Turning-point for the BBC? - the new DG

[Caliban]

The BBC shambles that was its river pageant coverage seems to be meeting a rising tide of criticism e.g. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...-coverage.html

"Low grade, celebrity driven drivel. How did Beeb get it so wrong?" said one MP.

The phrase sounds familiar.

Might this herald a reconsideration of the tendency towards patronising, infantilised 'drivel' that has spoiled so much of the BBC's output, including Radio 3?

[Paul Sherratt]

Unlikely Caliban. BBC tv producers and managers don't know any better.

[Wallace]

Unlikely.
The BBC defended its coverage. A spokesman said: "We're very proud of the quality and breadth of the BBC's coverage of this extraordinary event."

[Lateralthinking1]

Stephen Fry uses baby language all the time, when not indulging in inverted snobbery - while Wossy, 51, is hardly the new Alvar Liddell. It will be Clarkson next. If these really have to be the spokesmen of my generation, let's hand the influence back over to those considerably older or very quickly onto those younger. They might be right about this issue but they are unelected popes. We've heard more than enough of them to last several lifetimes. They merely epitomise the failings of a specific age group in this country - no leadership, humility, balance, connection, vision or depth. The trivialities yesterday seem profound by comparison.

[Serial_Apologist]

I've been wondering the same question as that posed by this thread's title all morning.

How much longer is it before the DG goes??

[Caliban]

Unlikely.
The BBC defended its coverage. A spokesman said: "We're very proud of the quality and breadth of the BBC's coverage of this extraordinary event."

I wonder if the unanimity of condemnation might make everyone realise at last how meaningless such self-justifying platitudes are, and make the BBC hierarchy confront the reality of how the trend to mediocrity betrays our trust (and the Trust).

[MrGongGong]

I wonder if the unanimity of condemnation might make everyone realise at last how meaningless such self-justifying platitudes are, and make the BBC hierarchy confront the reality of how the trend to mediocrity betrays the trust (and the Trust).

Sorry , I don't think so

[Tevot]

Hello Caliban.

Sadly I'm inclined to disagree. This attack isn't about poor standards - it is essentially an attack on the statist BBC.

Leveson points to the thinking of the current powers that be.

Ironically the perception of a patronising BBC along the lines of the "Third Programme"- led to the drivetime culture we have now.

The MP you mention (perhaps a Tory?) has only one state institution to defend at heart perhaps - The Monarchy . Could it perchance be that other institutions - BBC / NHS - can be sold off by the pound?

Best wishes,

Tevot (one of the squeezed 99%)

[salymap]

To borrow a phrase from the Iron Lady ' You turn if you want to; Aunty's not for turning'.

[MickyD]

Apart from anything else, I was bitterly disappointed to see only a misty long shot of about ten seconds of the barge carrying The Academy of Ancient Music playing Handel. What a let-down.