Lack of BBC festivals coverage 'absurd'

Published on Tuesday 15 July 2008 22:06

THE BBC has come under fire for limited coverage of Edinburgh's festivals after it emerged that no extra programmes have been commissioned this year.

The Scotsman has learned that despite mounting criticism of the corporation in recent months, the level of coverage may even be scaled back this year compared with previous years.

The culture minister, Linda Fabiani, and Jonathan Mills, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, have led criticism of the way the capital's festivals are covered. However, programme details released to The Scotsman show the level of coverage will be almost exactly the same as last year.

The BBC has been condemned for allocating the festivals a fraction of the air time devoted to the Proms season, which is broadcast throughout the UK. Critics have also pointed out the numerous programmes devoted to Glastonbury and T in the Park over the last month.

Just one special Edinburgh festivals programme is being made for broadcast exclusively in Scotland, a recorded highlights edition of Artworks. At least three Scottish specials were broadcast last year.

The BBC has defended its programming, insisting it will be devoting extra editions of The Culture Show to Edinburgh's festivals.

But most programmes, including the broadcasting of recorded highlights of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Radio Scotland's Radio Cafe and The Fred MacAulay radio show, have been broadcast in previous years. The BBC includes news coverage of the capital's festivals – on programmes like Reporting Scotland – in an official run-down.

More than ten T in the Park programmes were broadcast on the BBC's terrestrial and digital channels over the weekend, many featuring live coverage.

William Burdett-Coutts, director of Assembly Theatre, the biggest Fringe promoter, said the current situation was "completely absurd".

He told The Scotsman: "The Edinburgh Festival is the biggest live event in the world and yet it is being virtually ignored by our national broadcaster.

"My understanding is that coverage on the BBC will be almost identical to last year, despite all the criticism that there's been and it's simply not good enough.

"There's been huge coverage of both Glastonbury and T in the Park this year, but it's just bizarre that Edinburgh is so off the BBC's agenda when ten times as many will be coming here in August."

Mr Mills, due to meet BBC chiefs next week, said yesterday he would be demanding major improvements for next year.

He said: "I don't know what the BBC's plans are for this year at the moment, although I should find out when I see them next week.

"I'm not expecting much of an improvement, but I'm willing to be a bit realistic about this year, only as long as there is an assurance that things are going to improve next year."

A spokeswoman for BBC Scotland said: "The Culture Show, produced by BBC Scotland for BBC2, will come from and exclusively feature the Edinburgh Festival for three weeks transmitting on Tuesday nights, with an added extended programme on Thursday nights. Artworks Scotland for BBC1 Scotland will also cover events in a special festival programme.

"News coverage on the networks and BBC Scotland is of course a day-to-day matter, but BBC Scotland will have a festival team covering news for all outlets including Reporting Scotland, Newsnight Scotland and Good Morning Scotland."

A cycle of decline for network programmes

EDINBURGH may be the cultural capital of the world every August, but anyone switching on their TV set, particularly outwith Scotland, would be hard-pressed to find any coverage.

Critics say the level of programming has actually declined in recent years, while more and more programmes have been devoted to music festivals like Glastonbury and T in the Park.

The BBC's television coverage is normally restricted to high-brow late-night arts programmes, with the odd comedy special thrown in.

Last year, BBC Scotland dedicated special programmes to the acclaimed Fringe play Black Watch, although they were shown a year after its premiere in Edinburgh. A special programme was also devoted to Hallam Foe, the Scottish movie which opened the film festival.

But it was the "irreverent" Artworks special – 10 Things to Hate About the Edinburgh Festival – which drew the strongest criticism for years of the BBC.

STV has not escaped criticism either.

Despite showing the festival fireworks, the number of highlights programmes was well down last year.