Under scrutiny
Inquiry into BBC One programming
The first sentence of this BBC News article summarises the level of anxiety that faces both the BBC and its governors: "BBC governors have ordered an inquiry into BBC One's peak time schedules amid public concern about programme quality". That alone speaks volumes as to the importance of BBC One relating to the BBC's future; BBC One is the 'frontline' channel in the television ratings war and to many people it is the face of the BBC.
It has to be said in Lorraine Heggessey's defence that BBC One is a particularly tricky channel to manage, especially in a climate of intense competition for ratings coupled with a requirement to deliver at least a degree of public service at the same time. Such a balance is incredibly difficult to maintain, especially when faced with a requirement to keep costs to a minimum combined with commercial networks such as ITV trying to maximise their viewing figures at all times.
A major problem for the BBC has been caused by the effective deregulation of the commercial networks; at one time there was a requirement for ITV and Channel 4 to stick to their remits and deliver a mix of programming during peak time, but nowadays ITV is free to show as many episodes of Coronation Street and Emmerdale as it can muster. This can cause ratings headaches for the BBC as a result, though ITV's declining popularity has to a certain extent made things easier for the BBC than what could have possibly been the case.
Obviously the BBC are playing down the importance of such a review, but in the current political climate there will be a strong incentive to make a major change of some description especially with the board of governors itself under review by the Government. Therefore it is not totally improbable to imagine that Lorraine Heggessey's position as BBC One controller might not be as secure as some people might think.
