World

gloomy, so we call our programmes ‘factualentertainment” Nick Comer-Calder, Discovery“Ratings show our viewers want positive stories from us,showing the world and its people as it is through highqualityproductions. As part of the National GeographicSociety we must be non-controversial, avoiding politicsand social comment” Giselle Burnett, NationalGeographicThe main popular channels stress the Big Idea.“It’s got to be a blockbuster piece if you’re going to get thedeveloping world on. When did a documentary on thedeveloping world last make news?” Grant Mansfield, ITV“We have to have the biggest and best ideas” PeterSalmon, BBCNews editors naturally see their role as distinct fromthat of general programme editors responsible fordocumentaries and factual features. And yet one can seesimilarities of approach when they stress:● the new and the important● relevance to a UK audience● same editorial judgements as for any other newsstory“It’s always a combination of what’s important andwhat’s interesting. The trick is to combine the two. Ourbest developing world output, on First on Five, is all aboutanimals, children, beautiful scenery – or it involvesBrits” Chris Shaw, Channel 5However, the news editors put more emphasis thantheir general programming colleagues on the need for:● impartiality and fairness● accuracy“We must build up audience trust, even if we have to beworthy and dull on occasions to get this right. We arehelping people make sense of the world, helping people siftinformation and make choices” Vin Ray, BBC News“We want to be both authoritative and accessible atITN.....We tend to target the major breaking storiesrather than the twists and turns of ongoing stories” NigelDacre, ITNG.3.1.4. Genre and format trends16 policymakers/commissioning editors consider this tobe a very important area.“It’s vital. We need to be in contact with new formats. Ifproducers just have stories but don’t do them in currentways, they lose people’s interest.” Jane Root, BBC“This is important, to guard against being boring.Developing world programmes need a high benchmarkhere, to grab people’s interest”, Steve Anderson, ITV“Investigative programmes have recently been the mostusual approach to the developing world. It’s a good key tothe lock. Multi-item magazines, like Africa Express arenot fashionable now. But these trends are cyclical. Fiveyears on they could return.” David Lloyd, Channel 4“Factual programme genres are affected byentertainment genres” Chris Shaw, Channel 5“Format and narrative strength are very important inthis type of programming. The current trend is foranalysis through personal experience, not expert-ledanalysis” Jeremy Gibson, BBC“Style has become incredibly important “ Vin Ray, BBCNewsG.3.1.5. Press coverage/reviews/peer feedback17 of the 25 consider this – especially press coverage andgood reviews – very important, and therefore a factor incommissioning.“The best programmes get noticed regardless of audienceratings. We only got a million watching The Valley, onKosovo, at 9pm on a Thursday, but the waves it createdmade it well worthwhile. There’s no point making aprogramme, however worthy, that doesn’t get noticed.”Tim Gardam, Channel 4“If a programme doesn’t pull in the audience it mustattract critical acclaim. It’s important to know ourprogrammes are cutting the mustard elsewhere” SteveAnderson, ITV“Press coverage of programmes about the developingworld is part of our cultural fabric and can add to theimpact of a programme” Joanna Clinton Davis, BBCGood press coverage is considered less important bynews editors, and by Channel 5 and GMTV.“Most journalists or peers hate GMTV! The importantthing is that viewers love us!” Peter McHugh, GMTVG.3.1.6. Other channels’ outputAll interviewees say they are mindful of other channels’output, if only to sharpen brand awareness, help positiontheir own output, and avoid overlap.A small minority say they are influenced by strongoutput from other channels and sometimes decide todevelop a genre or style themselves as a result.“Television events can change the whole TV scene” PeterDale. Channel 4156 DFID – July 2000