ITV Grade A+, BBC Grade F-
Michael Grade has resigned as BBC chairman and is to join ITV, the corporation's main terrestrial rival.
ITV, which has been struggling with falling advertising and ratings, said the appointment was a "real coup".
Mr Grade said his first priority would be to improve programming at ITV, which he will join early next year.
Analysts say it is a major blow to the BBC, where Mr Grade was steering it through complex licence fee negotiations with the government.
I was genuinely a little disappointed to see Michael Grade leaving the BBC this morning he has been steering the ship throughout a turbulent time. It's also interesting to note that his relationship with Tessa Jowell whilst warm, was decidely icy with the big 2.
I make no apologies for liking the BBC, an inportant British institution. You only have to look at how poor the quality of programming on commercial stations is to apprecaite the quality and impotance of Auntie.
This often put me at loggerheads with fellow Labour colleagues, who criticise the license fee as an unnecessary tax. i completely disagree, when visiting Canada/ America I was always alarmed at the complete control advertisers had over the viewing public. They dictated whether programs should air, be cancelled, be moved, be censored. Frightening stuff when a Toy manufacture can dicate whether an educational programme is suitable for children depending purely on how many Power Ranger figures it can sell. An extreme example but the influence is frighteningly real.
The beeb for all its faults (I'm looking at you Lawrence Lewellyn Bowen) has undoubtedly the best unbiased news coverage (WMD's included), the best lineup of television programmes, great sport coverage, great current affairs programs and of course the jewel in the crown: Neighbours. - gotta love having a TV in the office.
Which is why it's a shame that Grade has gone, especially to ITV, the channel to give us the excitement that is Celebrity wrestling, the current affairs that is - ? oh wait a minute they don't do that kind of show anymore and if they did it would undoubtedly be hosted by Ant and Dec.
ITV, which has been struggling with falling advertising and ratings, said the appointment was a "real coup".
Mr Grade said his first priority would be to improve programming at ITV, which he will join early next year.
Analysts say it is a major blow to the BBC, where Mr Grade was steering it through complex licence fee negotiations with the government.
I was genuinely a little disappointed to see Michael Grade leaving the BBC this morning he has been steering the ship throughout a turbulent time. It's also interesting to note that his relationship with Tessa Jowell whilst warm, was decidely icy with the big 2.
I make no apologies for liking the BBC, an inportant British institution. You only have to look at how poor the quality of programming on commercial stations is to apprecaite the quality and impotance of Auntie.
This often put me at loggerheads with fellow Labour colleagues, who criticise the license fee as an unnecessary tax. i completely disagree, when visiting Canada/ America I was always alarmed at the complete control advertisers had over the viewing public. They dictated whether programs should air, be cancelled, be moved, be censored. Frightening stuff when a Toy manufacture can dicate whether an educational programme is suitable for children depending purely on how many Power Ranger figures it can sell. An extreme example but the influence is frighteningly real.
The beeb for all its faults (I'm looking at you Lawrence Lewellyn Bowen) has undoubtedly the best unbiased news coverage (WMD's included), the best lineup of television programmes, great sport coverage, great current affairs programs and of course the jewel in the crown: Neighbours. - gotta love having a TV in the office.
Which is why it's a shame that Grade has gone, especially to ITV, the channel to give us the excitement that is Celebrity wrestling, the current affairs that is - ? oh wait a minute they don't do that kind of show anymore and if they did it would undoubtedly be hosted by Ant and Dec.
posted by sandwellboyabroad at 4:12 AM
2 Comments:
More importantly, Michael Grade is the nephew of Lew (later Lord) Grade, one of the founders of ITV, so there is a tradition that is being kept. Despite the huge salary, I really do believe that Grade is going back for emotional reasons.
Grade could really turn ITV around by trying to model its output on the Beeb's. This give the inner TV geek in me a thrill as with current Sci Fi revival being underway, can we expect ITV under Grade to a doDoctor Who and revive series such as The Avengers and The Prisoner (both of which the older Grade originally commissioned)?
Grade has also shown exceptional judgement as a TV executive, championing people such as Dennis Potter, overseeing Channel 4's golden period (late 80s/ early 90s) and for trying axe Doctor Who in the 1980s when it was no longer watchable for anyone who was capable of movement and thought at the same time.
More importantly, Michael Grade is the nephew of Lew (later Lord) Grade, one of the founders of ITV, so there is a tradition that is being kept. Despite the huge salary, I really do believe that Grade is going back for emotional reasons.
Grade could really turn ITV around by trying to model its output on the Beeb's. This give the inner TV geek in me a thrill as with current Sci Fi revival being underway, can we expect ITV under Grade to do a Doctor Who and revive series such as The Avengers and The Prisoner (both of which the older Grade originally commissioned)?
Grade has also shown exceptional judgement as a TV executive, championing people such as Dennis Potter, overseeing Channel 4's golden period (late 80s/ early 90s) and for trying axe Doctor Who in the 1980s when it was no longer watchable for anyone who was capable of movement and thought at the same time.
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