Accountability

The BBC Trust reception held at Highbury Hall in Birmingham

On Wednesday, 22nd October the BBC Trust met in Birmingham. A reception held at Highbury Hall was attended by Sir Michael Lyons, Chairman of the BBC Trust, BBC Trustees, members of the West Midlands Regional Audience Council and representatives from the business community in the region.

View the photo gallery below (it can also be found on the West Midlands RAC members page):

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Young Audiences Services events

During October and November 2008, the Regional Audience Councils carried out a number of engagement events with younger audiences.

Young people from different backgrounds were invited to give their views on BBC programming for their age group; they presented their views through drama, dance, rap and song under the title 'My BBC'. They also answered questions on their view of current BBC output.

View photos from the events through the links below:

Most of the events were recorded and a compilation DVD made. The DVD gives a visual representation and a voice to the young people consulted and is presented in the link below:

Key themes from the events:

Wherever they live young people want the same things:

• BBC Three to start earlier, and for programmes like Family Guy to be on earlier.
• Programmes for them after 9pm - they go to bed late.
• Schools based programmes "dealing with our problems, bullying, relationships, exams".
• More major sporting events on BBC.
• More music, including what's new and up coming, as well as gossip about celebrities relevant to their age group.
• Programmes like the Sex Education Show (C4).
• Some programmes on 1Xtra, but Radio One was only listened to with Mum and Dad.
• A plus one channel for teenagers.

Quotes from the teenagers:

'I'd like something that's real and relates to me.'
'The BBC is not for me, it's for kids of three and old men!'
'We want more gossip, and more comedy; programmes that are light and entertaining and a good way to start the evening.'
'I want to be able to say "yeah, this does happen in my life."
'My BBC! For teenagers, about teenagers, by teenagers.'
'Teenagers would like to be involved!'
'I would get rid of all the granny programmes like, Cash in the Attic, University Challenge and Antiques Road Show.'

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The BBC Annual Review 2008 is now available

Read about the BBC's services in England over the past year here, in the England annual review for 2007/08. 

This includes Audience Council England's assessment of them and of some of the BBC's network services, and sets out the Council's audience priorities to the BBC Trust for the current year.