Other reports and research
Here you will find links to the Trust's reports, research and other documents about general issues as well as links to reports published by the BBC Board of Governors.
The Trust commissions a wide range of research and reports. Those relating to: complaints and appeals, protocols and policy, service licences and reviews, and public value tests can be found on the relevant pages. Research and reports on other things can be found in this section.
BBC Films
BBC Governors
The Trust took over from the BBC Governors in January 2007. Reviews and consultations commissioned by the Governors can be found below.
BBC Online management controls
As a follow up to its May 2008 service review of BBC Online, the Trust in November 2011 published a review of the effectiveness of the management controls of BBC Online.
Canvas
Commercial services
- Trust oversight of the BBC's commercial activity (BBC Worldwide)
- BBC Worldwide acquisition of Lonely Planet
- Trust approval for BBC to implement its 'bbc.com' proposals
Compliance procedures in Audio & Music
In March 2010, the Trust published an independent review that set out to examine the systems, checks and training that have been put in place since 2008 to ensure that programmes broadcast on BBC Radio meet the BBC's editorial standards.
Consultation on the BBC's Election Guidelines
The Trust ran a consultation on the BBC's Election Guidelines from 19 January to 02 February 2010. The below page summarises the consultation responses and the Trust's conclusions.
Digital Switchover Help Scheme
This page contains the Scheme Agreement agreed in April 2008 between the Department of Culture, Media an Sport and the BBC.
Economic impact
The BBC Trust commissioned Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) in January 2008 to conduct research into the economic impact of the BBC's publicly funded services on the UK broadcasting and creative sector.
Editorial Guidelines 2010
On this page you can find the Trust's commentary on the new BBC Editorial Guidelines, which are approved by the Trust and which were published on 12 October 2010, together with supporting evidence and responses to the public consultation on the Guidelines.
Editorial standards
Here you will find links to the Trust's reports, research and other documents relating to BBC editorial standards.
Executive remuneration
In October 2009, the Trust agreed the BBC Executive's proposals to cut the amount the BBC spends on paying its senior managers by 25 per cent over the next three and a half years. On this page you will find the Executive's remuneration review, prefaced by the formal Trust response, together with correspondence between the Trust and the Executive on the question of executive pay.
Fair trading policy review
In November 2011, the Trust published the outcomes of its review of fair trading policies, including a simplified fair trading policy governing how the BBC should minimise any negative competitive impact on the wider market.
Freesat
In April 2007, the Trust approved the BBC's proposition to invest in a joint venture to offer a national satellite based free-to-view digital service. In July 2011, the Trust extended its 2007 approval of the BBC's involvement in the Freesat joint venture, to include the provision and listing by the joint venture of additional broadband-delivered on-demand content. This includes the option to access paid-for content, alongside its core free-to-air TV offer.
Impartiality reports
These pages contain published reports and information on reviews commissioned by the BBC Trust on BBC impartiality.
- From Seesaw to Wagon Wheel: safeguarding impartiality in the 21st century
- Impartiality of BBC business coverage
- Network news and current affairs coverage of the four UK nations
- Review of impartiality and accuracy of the BBC's coverage of science
In previous years impartiality reports were produced by the BBC Board of Governors, the body which the BBC Trust succeeded. These can be found in the archive of BBC Governors' reviews.
iPlayer
Pre-booking
In November 2008, following public consultation, the Trust decided to approve BBC management plans for the addition of pre-booking functionality to the BBC iPlayer.
Trust decision
In April 2007, following a public value test, the Trust approved the BBC Executive's on-demand proposals, subject to modifications.
Jam nations content
In July 2008, following public consultation, the Trust decided to release some content originally produced for the now discontinued BBC Jam service for native language speakers and learners in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Listed events
In July 2009, the Trust published the BBC's initial submission to the Government's review of the list of sports events that should remain free-to-air. In March 2010, the Trust published the BBC's response to the DCMS consultation on the recommendations of the Independent Advisory Panel.
Local digital television rollout
In February 2012, the Trust published preliminary details of its funding contribution for the rollout of local digital television across the UK.
Mobile apps
In July 2010, the Trust concluded that plans to launch dedicated BBC smartphone applications (Apps), for BBC News, Sport and iPlayer, did not require further scrutiny through a Public Value Test (PVT).
'Mystery shopping' report on BBC Complaints Framework
The Trust has announced the results of its 'Mystery Shopping' exercise, which was designed to test how the BBC's Complaints Framework, which came into effect in August 2008, is working in practice.
On-demand syndication
In February 2012, the Trust published an updated syndication policy, governing the ways in which the BBC's on-demand programmes and content are made available on platforms such as cable, digital and satellite TV, mobile phones and games consoles.
Online independent supply review
In January 2011, the Trust published the findings of its review of the supply of online services to the BBC by the independent sector, together with accompanying evidence.
Party Election Broadcast allocations 2012 - timeframe for complaints and appeals
This document, published in March 2012, sets out the timeframe in which any complaint about the allocation of Party Election Broadcasts (PEBs) in 2012 needs to be received and dealt with by the BBC.
Party Election Broadcast complaints procedure
The BBC Trust ran a consultation on a proposed new Party Election Broadcasts (i.e. Party Political Broadcasts which take place during an election period) complaints process. The consultation ran from 03 November to 04 December 2009. In February 2012, the Trust published a summary of the consultation responses (and the Trust's consideration of these), together with the final complaints procedure.
Party Political Broadcasts criteria
In February 2011, the Trust published new rules for the allocation and timing of Party Political Broadcasts on the BBC.
Radio independent supply review
In August 2010 the Trust published its conclusions on its review of radio independent supply, together with accompanying evidence.
Radio 3 classical music podcast
In July 2011, the Trust approved the BBC Executive's plans to introduce a podcast of the Specialist Classical Music Chart broadcast on Radio 3's breakfast show.
Radio 5 live Olympics Extra
In July 2011 the BBC Trust approved plans by the BBC to launch temporary services and offers to provide coverage of the London Olympics in 2012. The Trust gave its final approval in March 2012 following a public consultation.
Referendum Campaign Broadcasts
The Trust ran a consultation from 09 November 2010 until 07 December 2010 regarding the draft Referendum Guidelines (the "Guidelines") and draft criteria regarding the allocation of Referendum Campaign Broadcasts (the "Criteria") developed by the BBC Executive. The Trust also consulted on its complaints process revised to include complaints regarding the allocation of Party Political Broadcasts and Referendum Campaign Broadcasts.
Series-stacking for radio
The Trust has approved the BBC Executive's plans to introduce a "series stacking" facility for radio programmes, including via BBC iPlayer.
Sponsorship policy
In September 2009 the Trust published its response to the BBC's revised policy and submissions made after a period of public consultation.
Syndication of BBC content to 3G operators
The Trust is considering the BBC Executive's proposal to syndicate BBC television channels and radio networks for delivery to mobile devices over a 3G data connection.
TV licence fee collection review
The BBC Trust reviewed Licence Fee Collection in March 2009.
Window of Creative Competition (WoCC)
The Trust reviews the Window of Creative Competition, within which in-house and independent producers can compete, every two years. You can find more detail of each review by following these links:
