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BBC claims programme spend up, overheads down
LONDON: The BBC increased spending on programmes and services by a further ?346 million last year.This is a 35 per cent increase since 2000. At the same time, it managed to bring the cost of overheads down to 13 per cent of expenditure from 24 per cent three years ago.
These findings are contained in the broadcaster’s Annual Report & Accounts for 2002/2003. As part of the BBC’s digital strategy in the UK, more new services were launched in the last 18 months than in the BBC’s 80 year history. The range and distinctiveness of content was extended with new strategies on the main terrestrial channels for arts, politics, current affairs and religion.
BBC Chairman Gavin Davies said, “The launch of the new services and the greater investment in programmes has meant that the long-planned reduction in the BBC’s cash balance has happened in the past year. The BBC is on target with all its medium term financial targets”.
The cash balance deficit of ?74 million was planned in 2000 when the BBC’s new digital strategy was first outlined and has been forecast each year since. The aim is to reach break-even over the current Charter period, with no debt in the public service.
Davies also pointed out that there was a clear improvement in range and ambition of programmes, especially on BBC ONE, which confirmed its position as the UK’s most watched channel. BBC TWO claims to have been the only terrestrial channel to increase its overall audience share – to 11.2 per cent- in the face of increased competition.
Highlights from this year’s report include:
– Increased investment in the nations and regions, with over ?50 million more being committed than two years ago, has led to increases in audience approval in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and across the English regions.
– Despite difficult market conditions the BBC’s commercial businesses returned a record ?147 million of benefit to licence payers.
– The launch of Freeview, which underlines the BBC’s commitment to the future of digital terrestrial broadcasting. Over 680,000 Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) boxes were sold between Freeview’s launch in October and the end of March, bringing the total number of homes capable of receiving DTT to 1.4 million.
– BBCi’s online service remains Europe’s most widely visited content site. Monthly reach among people with internet access rose from 38 per cent to a 43 per cent peak – the equivalent of 8.3 million adults. In addition 37 interactive TV services were launched.
Defending the beebs coverage of the Itaq conflict Davies said, “As ever, the BBC had an overriding responsibility to licence payers to reflect and analyse the debate that was happening in the country and to report the war itself with a total commitment to impartiality and the truth. The troubled circumstances of war were no reason to compromise the editorial standards of the BBC’s news output. Not only did audiences turn to the BBC as a source of news in overwhelming numbers but evidence shows that they trusted the BBC more than any other information source”.
Also referring to the BBC’s coverage of the war, BBC DG, Greg Dyke said, “News, broadcast impartially and independently, is at the heart of our public service remit. We have stuck to these principles, often in the face of intense political and commercial pressure, through a violent and uncertain period. One measure of how much the public trusts and values this commitment is that 93 per cent of the UK population used BBC television, radio, text or online services in the first two weeks of the war.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
