Radio Industry Denounces BBC’s Self-Promotion

A number of key radio industry figures have attacked the BBC for promoting its own radio services on BBC television. The Corporation’s recent “Perfect Day” production is quite possibly the catalyst for the criticism as it is seen as a three or four minute solo-spot advertisement. An advertisement for which, much to the chagrin of commercial radio, the BBC does not have to pay.

Capital’s station director, Martina King, has asked for a restructuring of the present rules which currently impose restrictions on the BBC advertising its magazine ventures but not its radio services. King told Newsline that the situation should be remedied by placing the same restrictions on BBC radio advertising by prohibiting moving images and allowing only stills with voiceovers. She said that the “radio industry will now move to decide what action might be taken.” She did not rule out a lobbying of the government.

The BBC maintains that the because it is not selling a product the productions are simply public information films about what the licence payer will receive for buying a licence, the fee for which includes BBC radio services. King described this as an “implausible argument” due to the current battles for ratings which are clearly taking place between commercial radio and the BBC.

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