British Television

TV channels in general are also independent of government interference. There have been occasions when the government has successfully persuaded the BBC not to show something. But there have also been many occasions when the BBC has refused to bow to government pressure.

There is no advertising on the BBC. But Independent Television (ITV), which started in 1954, gets its money from advertisements. ITV is a network of commercial companies, each of which is responsible for programming in different parts of the country on the single channel given to it. When commercial television began, it was feared that advertisers would have too much control over programming and that the new channel would exhibit all the worst features of tabloid journalism. Over the years, however, these fears have proved to be unfounded. Although commercial TV has recently adopted the habit of allowing programmes to be 'sponsored' by other commercial companies, as a form of advertising for them, these advertisers do not have the influence over programming.

The same fears that had been expressed about the quality of television when ITV started are now heard with regard to satellite and cable television. To some extent, these fears may be more justified, as the companies that run channels in this way are in exactly the same position as those which own the major newspapers (and in some cases actually are the same companies). In any case, new technology has meant that, instead of just the few channels they had been used to, British households now have access to a vast number of channels.

Although the advent of ITV did not affect television coverage of news and current affairs, it did cause a change in the style and content of other programmes shown on television. The amount of money that a television company can charge an advertiser depends on the expected number of viewers at the time when the advertisement is to be shown. Therefore, there was pressure on ITV from the start to make its programmes popular. In its early years, ITV captured nearly three-quarters of the BBC's audience. The BBC then responded by making its own programming equally accessible.

Ever since then, there has been little significant difference in the programming of the BBC and the main commercial television channels. All show a wide variety of programmes, including news, documentaries, drama, films, light entertainment, comedies, and sports. They are in constant competition with each other to get the largest audience (this is known as the ratings war). But this competition does not mean that they each try to show a more popular type of programme than the other. Rather it means that each tries to do the same type of programme 'better'.

Of particular importance in the ratings war are the performances of the channels' various soap operas. These are also of interest because of what they can show about British attitudes and taste. It became obvious in the 1960s that the popularity of soap operas and light entertainment shows meant that there was less room for programmes which lived up to the original educational aims of television. This was the main impetus for the founding of two other big channels (BBC2 and Channel 4), which acted as the main promoters of learning and 'culture'. To some extent they still do this.

Mass Television programming is now more than half a century old. This means that TV channels have large and ever-expanding larger archives at their disposal. As a result, they can show numerous programmes based on lists: the top 100 comedy shows, the 20 favourite soaps, the 100 best ever music videos, and so on. However, many people find these programmes either tedious or irritating.

Perhaps worries about the 'dumbing down' of British television are unfounded. In 2002, for instance, the highest paid performer on British TV was not an actor or actress, not a sports presenter or game-show host, not even a newsreader. It was a history professor called David Starkey! (In that year, Channel 4 arranged to pay him £2 million for a series of 25 programmes on British monarchs.)

Although British households can now receive tens of channels, there are still five main channels. They are: BBC1 (founded 1936), ITV (1954), BBC2(1964), Channel4 (1982), Five (launched as 'Channel 5' in 1997). They are ‘big' because everybody with a TV has access to them and they have been broadcasting for the longest, so that people are used to them.

Explain and translate the following words and expressions from the text:

1. to broadcast

2. to be affected by

3. a small but dedicated following

4. to refer to

5. a bloke

6. impartiality

7. to testify

8. licence fee

9. to appoint the board of governors

10. to veto

11. to transmit

12. to be independent of government interference

13. to adopt the habit of

14. to have access to a vast number of channels

15. an advent

16. coverage of news

17. to charge money

18. the ratings war

19. a soap opera

20. there was less room for

21. dumbing down

Task 1

Answer the questions:

1. When was the BBC established?

2. What removed the BBC’s broadcasting monopoly?

3. What can people listen to on BBC radio?

4. The dominant force in British Broadcasting is the BBC. What enabled it to achieve its position, and how does it maintain this? Can you describe some of the characteristics which give the BBC its special position in Britain and in the rest of the world?

5. Speak about BBC external services (especially the BBC world service).

6. Name the main TV channels. How are they financed?

7. Why is British television considered to be the best in the world?

8. How is radio and television controlled in Great Britain and in your country?

9. What programmes/shows/films are popular in Great Britain? Does this tell you anything about the British? What are the most popular television programmes in your country? What does this reveal, if anything, about your nation?

Task 2

Find Internet sites of BBC and other channels mentioned in the text. Characterise them. What can be seen and listened to on these channels?

Task 3

Divide into small groups and discuss the following questions:

~ What role does television play in people’s life today? Do you often watch TV? What kind of programs of films do you prefer?

~ Is television useful for children? Are there special TV channels for children? What is your attitude towards TV programs for children?

~ What do you think about advertising on TV?

~ Should censorship exist on TV?

Task 4

Be ready to speak on the topic “British Radio and Television”

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