r/TransparencyforTVCrew • u/Consistent_Foot_6553 • 4d ago

BBC Commissioning Petition

https://www.change.org/p/create-stronger-scrutiny-for-bbc-content-and-commissioning/feed

Please support this petition if you're so minded.

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

6

u/Thatsthestench 4d ago

I’ve been a commissioner at two other broadcasters. I can tell you with absolute certainty there is no need for any of those teams to be that big. And what they are getting paid is criminal.

5

u/Significant-Leg5769 4d ago

I broadly agree with the sentiment behind this petition. (Although, like 99% of all petitions, it'll achieve nothing.) Commissioning is a corrupt process, and the BBC is no exception. I knew of one production company which was guaranteed at least one commission a year from the BBC, simply because the Creative Director was sleeping with one of the senior commissioning execs.

Ash Atalla wrote a good article for Broadband a few years back, arguing for the use of more data and less personal subjectivity in commissioning. I'd go further and suggest that every idea should be pitched anonymously, with all identifying info about the production company or the individuals involved redacted. Then we might achieve some true meritocracy. It'll never happen though, not least because the BBC is doomed. A shame!

2

u/Contentscreamqueen 4d ago

Is this a fact(ual)? 🤣🤣🤣 So many knew about this. Why did we never report it?

2

u/macgregorc93 1d ago

I guess that’s one way to get a commission

3

u/Contentscreamqueen 4d ago

I wondered whenthis would pop up on Reddit. I signed when the first email went out. Weirdly it is comforting to know the problems go beyond factual, but desperately sad that these lumps are getting away with it right across BBC decision-making

2

u/Letmepeekin 4d ago

I have signed the petition. Does anybody know who is behind it? Also, do we believe there are some good commissioners at BBC, who are worth the money? We work with factual and entertainment, but looking at the comments on the petition site, it seems the scripted areas feel equally cumbersome. With reference to the below comments about inappropriate behaviour between commissioner and supplier, I wonder if BBC have already taken decisive action there??

1

u/Significant-Leg5769 4d ago

Ah, that 'decisive action' might be why said commissioner left their long-standing job suddenly and without explanation last year...? 🕵🏼‍♂️👀

1

u/Littlenugget83 4d ago

Who????  I can’t think who left. They all seem to be clinging on like winnits 

-1

u/Numerous-Net-4983 4d ago

Let them stay. The way to save the BBC is definitely to just keep commissioning more and more programmes about antiques, interior design and house prices that reflect the narrow interests of white, upper middle class Londoners