1. Radio and television:

• television and radio services are provided by:

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),

• independent radio and television companies.

2. BBC:

• based at Broadcasting House in London but has studios in other parts of the country,

• controlled by a board of governors including a chairman and national governors for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,

• The Board is appointed by the government – The Minister in Charge of Post and Telecommunication.

3. BBC and independent television:

• obligations:

• programmes must display a wide range of subject matters,

• must not offend against good taste,

• no violence during hours when children are likely to watch.

4. BBC:

• everyone who has a TV set has to pay compulsory annual payment – licence,

• there is no advertising on BBC,

• money – from sale of licences, trading activities.

5. BBC television – 2 channels:

• BBC 1:

• lighter plays,

• serials,

• soap-operas,

• humour,

• sport,

• documentaries,

• resembles Radio 4,

• BBC 2:

• more serious,

• minority of viewers – watched by 10%,

• serious documentaries,

• plays, discussions,

• adaptations of novels,

• opera, concerts,

• Open University courses.

6. BBC:

• BBC TV Europe:

• broadcasts programmes through satellite,

• BBC TV International:

• sells and distributes World Service TV news in English and other languages.

7. BBC radio:

• BBC 1:

• music,

• BBC 2:

• light entertainment: comedy, music, sport,

• BBC 3:

• minority interests: news, comments, discussions on serious subjects, plays, documentaries,

• BBC 4:

• main general interest radio service: news reports, current affairs service, games, drama, comedy, parliamentary debates,

• split into seperate regional programmes for part of the day,

• BBC 5:

• sport, education, children’s programmes.

8. Independent Television Comission:

• responisble for independent television and licensing cable TV,

• members appointed by Home Secretary.

9. Independent television:

• ITV:

• first regular programme in 1955:

• national early morning service – 1 company runs it,

• regional programmes – produced by regional companies,

• Channel 4:

• began broadcasting in 1982,

• has its own company,

• programmes covering the whole country:

• 15% - educational programmes,

• informative programmes.

10. Independent radio:

• Radio Authority – appointed by Home Secretary,

• it grants licences to broadcast,

• about 50 independent local radios.

11. Independent bodies – appointed to safeguard against abuse:

• Broadcasting Complaint Comission,

• Broadcasting Standards Council.