A round-up of the week’s stories and observations.
- MON 6TH FEB (10.20AM)
Latest BBC channel updates on satellite - MON 6TH FEB (7PM)
Spot the difference in the BBC Channel Islands sets - TUE 7TH FEB (AM)
BBC HD changes now coming online for Sky viewers - TUE 7TH FEB (7.30PM)
BBC Chairman hints at further “adjustments” to BBC local radio proposals - FRI 10TH FEB (9PM)
Implementation date for next BBC HD satellite upgrade moved out
Monday 6th February
10.20am Latest BBC channel updates on satellite
BBC One West Midlands HD and BBC One East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire HD are now live on Freesat channel 101 in their respective regions.
BBC Alba HD is now available on Freesat channel 109
BBC One Wales SD and BBC Two Wales SD are no longer available on Freesat.
These changes will be implemented tomorrow on Sky.
Courtesy @a516digital.
7pm Spot the difference in the BBC Channel Islands sets
As referenced by presenter Charlie McArdle on the late Friday edition of BBC Channel Islands, the programme is in a different studio from this evening.
But only eagle-eyed viewers will have spotted the minor changes in the programme’s set.
Tuesday 7th February
11.05am BBC HD changes now coming online for Sky viewers
BBC One West Midlands HD and BBC One East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire HD are now available on Sky channel 101 in their respective regions.
BBC Alba HD is now on Sky channel 169 (117 in Scotland). BBC One Wales and BBC Two Wales are now HD only. Wales is the second nation to go HD-only on satellite.
Courtesy @a516digital.
7.30pm BBC Chairman hints at further “adjustments” to BBC local radio proposals
BBC chairman Richard Sharp revealed that the BBC is revisiting plans to cut services on BBC local radio stations in England and Northern Ireland.
Asked by Simon Jupp, MP, if the latest revision to the proposed cost savings at local radio stations was the BBC’s final stance on the matter, Mr Sharp responded “no” and said management was looking at further “adjustments”, particularly in relation to the plans for BBC Radio Foyle.
Speaking at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee today, Mr Sharp said: “If you take, for example, a controversial restructuring that’s taking place at the moment – which is at Radio Foyle – there we have put it out to consultation and we are in discussions with the unions.
“And we will as a result of that make adjustments. And we are listening and seeking to ensure that we continue to deliver and continue to employ where possible to deliver services.”
Asked when the final plan for local radio was likely to be made known, Mr Sharp responded: “Like any corporation, we’re having to constantly change and create productivity efficiencies. We’ve had to take 13% out of our budget.
“In that sense, it’s never ending. What I’m getting to is that we’re constantly going to have to adapt to the marketplace. The needs of the consumers. Our obligation to deliver local public services is a constant management challenge.”
Friday 10th February
9pm Implementation date for next BBC HD satellite upgrade moved out
The go live date for the next phase of the BBC HD upgrade on satellite has been moved out slightly.
HD versions of the BBC Red Button channel (RB1), BBC One West, BBC One South West, BBC One Channel Islands and BBC One London were all due to be implemented on 13th February (Freesat) and 14th February (Sky).
The implementation date for Sky has been moved to 15th February.
Test transmissions for some of the new HD services began yesterday but disappeared a short time later.
EXTERNAL LINK: BBC HD Upgrade Information.
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Acknowledgements
PICTURED: BBC Channel Islands opening shot. COPYRIGHT: BBC.