BBC Future

One of the world’s greatest and most noble institutions – but challenges ahead

Rapid shifts in wireless technology, programme storage, competition, audience behaviour and personal values will force changes in BBC programming, production patterns, content distribution, advertising policy and levels of public funding

BBC’s “unique” corporate values will be strongest defence against step-by-step cuts and privatisation, helping the BBC win the war for talent, the continued affection and attention of the nation, and respect from the wider world

But these values need to be sold well

"F ast"

Slide 6

Early Warning Radar + Roadmap
Personal and corporate survival

  20% of risks = 80% of impact

Some things change faster than commissioning editors or governors can make decisions

2 minute challenge: Invent the worst news headline you can think of – about the BBC



What happened
to trust ?

A Fundamental Question for BBC Survival

If the BBC didn’t exist – would Britain launch today a new, public service broadcasting empire, funded by “taxing” all TV owners £116 pa even if they never watch channels and are destitute?

Winners and Losers in future Ratings War - Repositioning

Future programme ratings will be unstable

Don’t           believe market research

“Opinion Formers” BBC Survey
Top 6 roles of public sector broadcaster

“Six Purposes” may not protect BBC from systematic attack /cuts

The Future
   is two-way Video

Video call: “Which is the best club tonight?”

Impact of videophones on news gathering and live community programming:

Instant video of breaking news

Slide 21

Demographic shifts and other social trends will transform entertainment, comedy, drama story-lines, production and education / documentaries.

The future is about emotion

   How will they behave?

 Will we see deserted play areas?

… while children prefer to play in virtual reality worlds instead?

Power of a good book
Books will continue to have huge emotional power in a digital world

No sign that young people are replacing traditional social interaction with virtual channels

Web Dating – Search for Love

CDs and DVDs will not survive in a broadband world where all music, TV and video is available online for free

Slide 31

Virtual Social Contact is Powerful

 Emotional Power of Web Chat

   Emotional Power of SMS

Ageing Audiences

“Auntie Beeb” culture has had a sex change and is getting older

Slide 37

      Tribalism conflicts

Global instability and new terror movements could result from unsustainable contrasts between rich and poor nations

Pressures on BBC World will grow for cultural compromise and self-censorship

       Positive Tribalism = Values

Programme Schedules will still be important in “TV-on-demand” tribal Britain

For live “tribal” broadcasts – national experiences eg Proms or big Christmas movies - everything else can be canned

Live, interactive TV, radio and web transmission will develop greater premium value and democratic power in an increasingly virtual world

Instant national feedback will have a huge (and often traumatic) impact on actors, show hosts, producers, studio audiences, providers and government

Mid-show resignation will not be uncommon

Slide 45

        Impact of large media mergers

"The digital revolution created the..."

BBC online and BBC World will face growing pressure for cost-cuts – need new strategies to protect

BBC Website Will Face Threat
Needs new rationale to defend huge size / impact

Slide 50

Death of Political Theory

New Shape of Politics

    Single Issues

Every single issue becomes a regulation

How did this turkey live and die?

Did chickens ever run around on these legs?

"Let every Kentucky Fried Chicken..."

We will need a different kind of relationship of BBC to government

BBC news and current affairs will be forced to adopt new strategies to stabilise falling audiences over the next decade

Political Bias is Inevitable
Unless you rise above those playing games

BBC News and Current Affairs Future Challenge to Nature of Reporting

The Problem of Interviews

The Truth about Westminster

"Most people believe that elections..."

The BBC has a Unique Opportunity

Slide 66

Slide 67

Positive Human Needs in 2030 will be the same

"Huge,"

       Greg Dyke – A Better Place

      New trend – get a life

"6 out of 10 Americans..."

1 million protesting about Iraq War

Companies talk about

Individuals talk about…



 The ultimate slogan

Connect with all the passions people have and they will follow you and your programming to the ends of the earth, be devoted to your services, be your greatest advocates– and what is more, be willing to work for you or with you for next to nothing

"Fast / Urban / Universal"

Slides:
www.globalchange.com/ppt/bbc