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The Media Show

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

This is the programme about a revolution in media.

Social media, anti-social media, breaking news, faking news: this is the programme about a revolution in media.

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The Media Show: Pistorius TV; Sunday tabloids; BBC commissioning; Mirror front page

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16/04/2014

Pistorius TV; Sunday tabloids; BBC commissioning; Mirror front page

BBC Radio 4 - The Media Show, Pistorius TV; Sunday tabloids; BBC commissioning; Mirror front page

The Oscar Pistorius channel, the decline of Sunday red-tops, and BBC commissioning.

The head of the Oscar Pistorius channel on getting access, why print circulation of the Sunday tabloids is declining, and the BBC Trust's review into commissioning.

The Oscar Pistorius trial has grabbed TV audiences around the world. Three remote controlled cameras in the court room have provided compellingly dramatic fodder for rolling news channels right around the world. The footage is broadcast by a TV channel set up specifically for the trial - which persuaded the courts to allow cameras in for the first time. George Mazarakis, the head of the Channel, talks to Laura Kuenssberg about why he campaigned for access and the BBC's Legal Correspondent Clive Coleman explains why similar coverage couldn't be shown here. 

Until recently, the Sunday tabloids had been relatively unscathed by consumers' changing habits and preferences. However, the latest newspaper latest circulation figures show they're finally being hit. Last month the average weekend red top circulation fell nearly twelve percent - sliding now, far faster than the circulation of their broadsheet rivals. Douglas McCabe from Enders Analysis explains why. 

The BBC Trust has announced for the first time a full review of how programmes are commissioned. Some within the commercial sector are calling for programme output to be shared equally between in-house and independents, while others are calling for BBC in house programme guarantees, which currently stands at 50 per cent for TV and 80 per cent for radio, to be abolished altogether. Those against the move argue that if this was to happen then the smaller independents would lose out. So should the BBC alter or axe in house production guarantees and full open up the system open it up to competition? John McVay, Chief Executive of PACT and Pat Younge, the BBC's former Chief Creative Officer discuss. 

Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

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