BBC Funding

Much has been said recently, and indeed over the past years, about funding the BBC. The Licence Fee, should it have to be paid etc. etc.?

While all of that has been going on the BBC has actually been missing out on millions of pounds. How you may ask? I will tell you.

On nearly every chat show on the BBC and on every chat show on the radio, what is the most talked about item? I will tell you.

The most talked about item is some band or artiste or some author who has a new album or a new book or a new film or a new play or West End Musical about to be released or opening that they want to sell. They just parade themselves for free across the BBC getting publicity, reaching into our homes and being seen and heard by millions. The One Show is the biggest culprit by far in my view.

Why does the BBC not sell them the air time that allows them to tell us all about their wares? They could do that and make millions over the years couldn't they?

At least the ITV network is honest about its advertising and the people that use it actually contribute towards it!

I was actually going to make this article a bit jokey but the more I type the more I cannot understand why this happens. So this has turned into a bit of a rant.

Catch a grip BBC. You are being taken for a ride!

Do You Have One? Listen Up!!

You may have heard that the service provided by the BBC Local Radio Network is be reduced in the near future, with less specialist music programmes and much more "area" broadcasting rather than local. For instance here in Lincolnshire, BBC Radio Lincolnshire will be broadcasting more "East Midlands" based programmes during any 24 hour period rather than county specific programmes. This is something that is "not good" to say the least.

What can we do about it? Simple. Tune into your local Community Radio, if you have one locally. These are stations, available over different platforms, internet, FM, AM. DAB etc. that are based in your local communities and which broadcast for them, providing lots of local news, events, sports etc.

Here in the East Lindsey area of Lincolnshire, we have Lindsey Coast Radio which at the moment is only available on the internet and can be accessed at www.lindseycoast.org.uk 24 hours a day. It is planned to widen the availability in the near future by moving to other platforms as well as remaining of the web. The station came into being in February 2011 and is now going from strength to strength. Listener numbers are increasing on a weekly basis with not only local people tuning in but also those people who come to the Lincolnshire Coast for their holidays doing the same and continuing to do so throughout the year, after they have returned home, to enable them to keep in touch with what is happening here!!

At the moment most of the live content happens in the evenings and on Sundays, which is the busiest day. The live content is expanding with Heavy Rock, Grunge, Reggae and Ska, Blues, Country, Folk and general magazine programmes all available. At all other times the station is broadcasting a mix of music to suit all tastes.

With the reduction in service from your "local" BBC radio station soon to become a reality, search out your own local Community Radio station as an alternative. You will be pleasantly surprised I am sure. All are run by vounteers and deserve your support.