VLV Member's Forum

VLV welcomes news and opinions from its members about radio, television and broadcasting issues. You can send us your news directly by e-mail to: info@vlv.org.uk or by writing to VLV, 101 King's Drive, Gravesend, Kent DA12 5BQ.

Letters

Complaining to the BBC/Ofcom

Roger Bolton on the Sunday 27th January 2008 'Feedback' programme invited comments on the Information Programme Team, including how to complain to the BBC Managment Board. Web and e-mail addresses were given and a telephone number should anyone wish to write a letter. The deadline for comment was 31st January.

I am amongst over 50% of the UK population that is not computer literate. I have telephoned this number eight times over two days at various times. Each time I hear: 'The number you called is busy'.

Maybe you will let me know how I can complain to the BBC Management Board? (see below).

D V Wilson, Edinburgh

Complaining to the BBC

Telephone: 08700 010 0222

Textphone: 08700 010 0212

Write to: BBC Complaints, PO Box 1922, Glasgow G2 3WT.

Complaining to Ofcom

Telephone: 020 7981 3000 or 030 123 3000

Textphone: 020 7981 3043 or 030 123 2024

Write to: Ofcom, Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA.

If you do not get satisfaction, we suggest you write to Sir Michael Lyons, Chairman, BBC Trust Unit, Room 211, 35 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4AA; or direct to Lord Currie at Ofcom.

The Appreciation Index

Richard Lindley's article about Panorama (7 January) is important for several reasons: not only does he reassure us that there is still hope for a creative and responsible future with this programme; he also cites a measurement - the AI or Appreciation Index - more usually kept secret, whose result in this case is extremely favourable. An average score he reports, of 79 for Panorama, is well above the average of other programme genres. This deserves particular congratulation given that the programme has attracted younger viewers, who have always been parsimonious in their Appreciation marking.

The BBC must of course look to "the ratings" (the audience sizes, by which the advertising marketers evaluate commercially broadcast programmes) but it must maximise "reach" and above all strive for Appreciation averages. What is more, this information should be made available to the public and should thus influence how broadcasting is assessed across the board.

Mallory Wober and JM Wober PhD, London

Digital

We live in sheltered accommodation with an old communal aerial and associated socket. They have installed an unofficial digital aerial for Channel 5 which has no teletext and is prone to bad reception.

There are 45 flats any many tenants want digital but the Housing Association will not commit themselves. My wife is disabled and one of her few enjoyments is watching TV. I want to install a set top box to get some digital channels, but I don't know that with these communal aerials whether reception will be satisfactory. The Housing Association frowns on satellite dishes, but won't address the need for communal digital television."

Gerard Davies, Winchester

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