Identifying the key factor, or at least using this as an excuse, is audience numbers, rather than the quality of the broadcasts, the current management policy appears to be ‘spend on advertising’. Failing to recognise that viewing habits are changing, the management seems to be clearing out the best of their broadcasters. Inevitably this means the highest paid presenters are being replaced.
I started watching Football Focus because it was presented by Gary Linneker, a consummate presenter. It lead me to Match of the Day. I was pleased when Football Focus was passed to Alex Scott. But having watched it again for a second week in succession to find it presented by someone else I decided to Google what was going on and whether I might be able to watch Alex Scott again. Sad news, declaring she was deeply hurt by the manner in which the BBC had dealt with her contract.
I see the same news presenters getting free trips around the world from one continent to another and wonder what gift it is they bring to their teams to encourage this reckless expenditure.
Zoe Ball has gone too. With the declaration from the BBC that she was ‘one of the highest paid broadcasters’. It clearly disturbed Zoe and her family that she would no longer be presenting to the nation. I wonder how many others.
I can sympathise. I too was ‘booted out’ of my last employment. It seems that this is the way in which management is being encouraged to act. ‘Remember, you’ve got the winning hand and they are holding nothing.’ Another example of the same, highlighting the cuthroat nature of the commercial world, is the manner in which the P&O cruise line dealt with its workers a couple of years ago. Everyone sacked with an offer to be rehired on a lower income. Did that happen to the managers and executives implementing this scheming on behalf of the company? I ask.
No, I won’t watch more tv because there are more adverts for what is available, or costly animations to whet my appetite. How much money is spent on updating webpages, causing me to lose track of what I had been watching in the way of sport events particularly, or on annoying animation tricks and techniques? Sometimes I feel as if I am watching an advert for the latest graphics software.
I do suggest that the management consider closely the following statement ‘good tv is made with good presenters, not with flare and self-flattery’.
But I doubt my voice will be heard amidst the clamour for position.
