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Category: BBC World

  • “Satiating viewers’ news curiosity a challenge”

    “Satiating viewers’ news curiosity a challenge”

    BBC World’s veteran newscaster Nik Gowing is a multi-faceted personality. Not only is he a founding committee member for the Rory Peck Trust, which campaigns for the interests of freelance TV camerapersons, but is a governor of the Ditchley Foundation, and a member of two steering committees – the British-German Konigswinter Committee and the Strategy Committee of the Project on Justice in Times of Transition at Harvard University.

    From 1996, when he joined the Beebs, to March 2000, Nik was principal anchor for the 90-minute weekday news programme, The World Today, and its predecessor, NewsDesk. He was a founding presenter of Europe Direct and has been a guest anchor on both HARDtalk and Simpson’s World. He is also a regular moderator of the Sunday news analysis programme Dateline London. Nik draws on both his extensive reporting experience over two decades in diplomacy, defence and international security, and his presentation and chairing skills. He has been a main anchor for much of BBC World’s coverage of major international crises, including Kosovo in 1999, and the Iraq war in 2003.

    Nik was on air for six hours shortly after the twin towers were hit in New York City on 11th September 2001. BBC World’s coverage of the terrorist attacks on the US won the 2002 ‘Hotbird’ Award for the Best News Channel. He fronted coverage of the unfolding drama of Diana, Princess of Wales’ accident in Paris in August 1997 and made the announcement of her death to a global audience estimated at half a billion. He also anchors special location coverage of major international events, and chairs BBC World Debates at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the annual Nobel Awards in Stockholm.

    Before joining the BBC, Nik was a foreign affairs specialist and presenter at ITN for 18 years. From 1989 to 1996 he was Diplomatic Editor for the one-hour nightly news analysis programme, Channel Four News, from ITN in London. His reports were aired frequently by the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour on PBS, NBC’s SuperChannel and CNN International. His reporting from Bosnia was part of the Channel Four News portfolio, which won the BAFTA ‘Best News Coverage’ award in 1996.

    Independently of his work for BBC News, Nik has developed a sought-after analytical expertise on the management of information in the new transparent environments of conflicts and emergencies. No wonder, he was called in by the Delhi-based Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) to lecture journalism students on the tyranny of handling real time information in the age of information super-highway. The lecture was delivered on 8 April, 2005.

    An avid outdoor sports enthusiast, Nik spoke to Indiantelevision.com’s Manisha Bhattacharjee during his India visit. Excerpts:

     

    You’ve been delivering lectures recently. What’s the difference between lecturing and presenting NEWS?
    Well, the two use the same skills of expression and clarity for getting across a message and of talking to people in the expectation that they’re wanting to know something. When I’m presenting to people in London studio it’s like I’m talking to pane of glass. But when I’m speaking at a lecture like this, to about 300 people, it’s different, but I like it because then you get some kind of idea, feedback, and some impression of what is happening. And how the message is going down.

    People watch news channels because they are curious and they want the curiosity answered. We want to articulate questions in viewers’ minds and answer them…I think that’s a big challenge.

    BBC is unleashing a rebranding strategy. What kind of shows would you be presenting now?
    There is no rebranding, as such. It has got a very important new slogan-putting news first-which is what we’ve been doing all the time. Actually, we will be reminding people that BBC World is primarily an international and global news channel. It would not mean anything different to me.

    Can you share your experience of being with the BBC?
    Boy…that’s a big question!

    Does technology exert pressure on journalists?
    We are talking about significant change in technology, which is putting enormous pressure on us. THE Internet, mobile phone cameras are all putting enormous real-time pressures on us. It’s just the nature of the newsroom (that it puts professionals under pressure).

    What are the challenges reporters and presenters face when the channel is in the process of rebranding?
    There are no particular, or rather, any significant changes in the way we are doing our jobs. We are doing it in the same way. Well, what has changed is that we are reminding people that the brand BBC and BBC News always puts the news first.

    Your vast experience ranges from diplomacy, defence and international security, over two decades. How has your experience been as a reporter and a presenter?
    Well, I was a reporter eight years ago and presenting is about bringing the experiences of being a reporter to the job of being a presenter. It is best being inquiring, it’s about being questioning…it’s not taking ‘no’ for an answer. It’s about cajoling people…trying and getting information from people and it’s about communicating with the people at the end of a camera lens, which you should be doing anyway as a reporter. I think the best presenters have been reporters.

    Was 9/11 a turning point in your life?
    It was a turning point in lot of PEOPLE’S lives, not only mine. It was reflecting something awful, which was changing people and changing people very quickly.

    “BBC still remains a very strong public service broadcasters, despite the Hutton Report. We have strengthened some of our journalistic procedure on the basis of a report, called the Neil report, that has shown us the way to strengthen BBC journalism and consolidate it.“

    Recently, Ficci-Frames 2005 ended in Mumbai and since you’ve chaired sessions at various forums like BBC World debates at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the annual Nobel Prize awards in Stockholm, do you think such fora throw up solutions to any problems?

    Of course, they do. Yeah…but people can decide not to go to the forums if they don’t want to. Of course, bringing people together is valuable because everyone learns something. There are problems…it is about airing new ideas and being in the business of journalism of reflecting new ideas and new thinking and it is about understanding the ongoing process and being well-informed. This year, the World Debate that I chaired, was about the image of America in the world after 9/11 and after Iraq and it was pretty critical of America. And, look within four weeks President Bush announced his new assistant secretary for public emergency because of his awareness that the American image is too negative. That was exactly what we were reflecting as any good journalist would. We were reflecting the concern around the world about America’s image.

    How you do perceive broadcast journalism is shaping up in India?
    Right now,it is a very vibrant environment that journalists are operating in.

    A recent survey has shown that CNN has a ‘sexier’ image than the BBC. What do you feel about this?
    The thing about the marketplace is that there are different ways of doing things and the market makes the choice. We have a particular way of doing it, which is different from our competitors and the fact that BBC is still very strong indicates that we have the loyalty and a great way of winning our audienceS as well.

    Being a committee member on the Rory Peck Trust, which campaigns for the interests of freelance TV cameramen and women, what kind of interests do you safeguard?
    This committee has been set up to take care of the interests of journalists who have been killed, who do not have any pension, people who do not have insurance, cameramen who are taking great risks on behalf of us all in different quarters of the US trying to get the best shot possible of the action.

    No such committee exists in India. DO you find this a serious lacuna?
    Yes, that is something that should be done, because everyone is sent to the danger zone as an employee. So, as an employer, you are responsible for your people.I’m not initiating anything in India. But there are other people like the Rory Peck Trust and websites like the International News Safety Institute:http://www.newssafety.com/ that people can access.

    What has been the fallout of the Hutton Report related to the presence of WMD in Iraq and the subsequent attack by the allies of the US, including the UK?
    The BBC is still as strong as ever. We are all still employed except the chairman, director-general and Andrew Gilligan. BBC still remains a very strong public service broadcaster. We have strengthened some of our journalistic procedure following a 27-page report, which is available on the BBC website called the Neil report that speaks about certain things, which have got to be done to strengthen BBC journalism and consolidate it. There is no fall out as such. We have dramatically improved the speed at which any complaints are handled as well.

    Being such a busy journalist your spare time must be a rare commodity. How do you spend these rare moments?
    Sleeping…skiing and Cycling.

    		  
     

  • BBC World strengthens cachet among upmarket Europeans

    MUMBAI: This is a piece of news that should be of great interest to European companies that advertise on television. BBC World is going from strength to strength in Europe. It announced that it has been the only news or business news channel to grow its monthly audience in the past year in the continent.

    The beeb quoted the fifth release of the Europe 2000 series of research data.
     
     

    The survey showed that BBC World is watched each week by 27 per cent of Europe’s senior business people. This amounts to more than 2.7 million viewers

    The survey was conducted by IPSOS-RSL among upmarket adults 25+ across 16 European countries. The universe of 10.05 million represents the top four per cent of the population in this region.

    The survey enables advertisers and agencies to plan, optimise and evaluate the performances of campaigns on TV channels, print and in local media across the continent, covering the upscale adult targets unavailable from traditional sources.

    Europe 2004 also found that more executives watch BBC World each day (3.1 per cent), week (14.3 per cent) and month (27 per cent) than the two business news channels, Bloomberg and CNBC. Combined their figures are three per cent daily; 11.9 per cent weekly and 21.8 per cent monthly.

    BBC World also surpasses those channels’ combined reach among CEOs (19.3 per cent weekly reach against their 16.8 per cent). Viewers to BBC World tuned in 31 per cent longer than they had in 2003. At 33 minutes per day, they now tune in 22 per cent longer than they are to the beeb’s American rival CNN. Viewers also watch BBC World 50 per cent longer than they do Euronews or CNBC.

    BBC World airtime sales director Jonathan Howlett said, “Last month, EMS confirmed that BBC World was the fastest growing major news channel and attracts the most loyal audience. Europe 2004 reinforces this, with a significant increase in viewing levels for each viewer, and our highest share of the news audience on any of the five Europe 2000 series surveys.

    “We expect the European Business Readership Survey, in which BBC World has invested for the first time, to confirm the trend later this year.”

  • BBC World signs 8 sponsorship agreements in India

    MUMBAI: BBC World has signed eight significant new sponsorship agreements in India, for its programmes and short-form vignettes. The companies and the programmes with which they are associated are: Wheels – Power, Click Online and Sport Today – Tata Indigo Marina, India Business Report – Microsoft, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Tata, Holiday – Panasonic Ecam, FASTTRACK – Sony Handycam and ICICI Bank, Talking Movies – Hutch and Kenstar, University Challenge – Microsoft and Tata Sumo Victa, The Ultimate vignettes – Airtel Enterprises.
     
     
    The new series of Wheels is being sponsored by Power for its entire 13-week run this autumn. Wheels has introduced an exciting interactive format with a team of new presenters and new segments.
     
     
    Commenting on the sponsorship, HPCL manager – business development (retail) Sanjay Grover says, “We are happy to associate with the new series of Wheels for Power, the performance-enhancing petrol from the HPCL brand stable. The fast-paced, exciting and informative programme offers a great platform to communicate with our target audience of discerning vehicle owners who are also the core audience of the show.”
     
     
    Among the other new sponsorships on the channel is a deal with Tata Indigo Marina, which has recently signed up to sponsor BBC World’s IT show Click Online and Sport Today, the daily round-up of sports news and results for six weeks from mid-October. Microsoft, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Tata are associating themselves with the business programming on the channel’s India Business Report strand until 14 November, while the travel destination show Holiday is being sponsored by Panasonic ECam.

    BBC World’s weekly travel news analysis programme for the business and leisure sectors, FASTTRACK, is being jointly sponsored for six weeks by Sony Handycam and ICICI Bank. For three months from 20 October, Talking Movies, the weekly film review and magazine show, is being jointly backed by Hutch and Kenstar. Microsoft and Tata Sumo Victa will continue to sponsor University Challenge until 7 November.

    In addition to these agreements around programming, Airtel Enterprises will sponsor The Ultimate, a new series of vignettes, that explore some of the most extravagant and opulent items and experiences available. These range from the world’s most famous diamond and the biggest private jet to the most adventurous safari and the most extravagant yacht.

    BBC World India head of advertising sales Seema Mohapatra says, “We are extremely happy with the new sponsorships on BBC World, which reiterate the strong faith our advertisers have in the channel. The unique programming content and clutter-free environment enable advertisers to reach their target audience effectively and consistently. BBC World continues to provide its viewers with the best international news and analysis along with lifestyle programming, and I’m sure that innovative creative solutions for our advertisers within this strong programming environment will reinforce our commitment and long-standing association.”

  • BBC World Service’s campaign for the Arab region

    MUMBAI: BBC World Service is launching a pan-Arab marketing campaign. The aim is to promote its radio service as well as online interactivity in the region.
     
    The campaign kicks off today. The 11-week multi-media ad campaign launches across the Arab world with its core message, “Express your views – you don’t need permission”.

    bbcarabic.com’s editor Hosam El Sokkari said that the BBC offers its Arabic-language audiences an opportunity to interact and comment on issues of regional and international importance. “Our interactive programmes cater for different types of audiences, covering issues from hard news and current affairs to youth and sport.

    “Together with the Have Your Say section on bbcarabic.com these interactive programmes have turned BBC Arabic into a hub across the Arab-speaking world for a free and open debate and dialogue as people call us, email us and message us.”

    The beeb issued a release saying that it used the agency of Young & Rubicam Dubai to produce creative work for the campaign while Mediaedgecia Dubai planned and bought media. The print campaign will appear in key pan-Arabic dailies, weeklies and monthly magazines reaching an estimated three million people. The campaign will also appear – in Arabic and English – on major and specialised online sites, and on BBC Arabic radio trails across the Arab world.

  • BBC World launches its marketing endeavour in the wake of elections.

    MUMBAI: BBC World in its marketing endeavour this week launched a campaign highlighting its global coverage on the Indian elections. Through its hourly news bulletins and other special programming, the BBC’s 24-hour news and information channel is providing viewers with a perspective on the domestic and international implications of the nationwide poll.

    The campaign essentially emphasises on the BBC World’s extensive international and Indian expertise. The three focus points been created to highlight the channel’s global coverage are as follows:

        ‘Where you watch the election coverage says a lot about you. Like, are you a global citizen?’
        ‘The BJP believes India will be the next Asian superpower. What do the superpowers believe?’
        ‘Watch how the elections will affect the man in Bihar. As well as the President of the United States.’

    The media plan includes print advertisements in leading dailies such as The Times of India and The Economic Times, and widely read magazines including the likes of India Today, Outlook and Business World. In addition, a two-week radio campaign, targeting BBC World’s core audiences in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Calcutta, will also be a significant factor to reiterate the channel’s global perspective on the election.

    Commenting on the new campaign, BBC World head of marketing Seema Kotecha says, “As the world’s largest democracy goes to the polls, international attention is focusing on India. BBC World will have more journalists there than any other international news channel, providing insights and in-depth analysis from the country and across the world. This thought provoking campaign focuses on BBC World’s ability to give our discerning viewers a broader view of this event.”

    Media Planners for this campaign are Mediaedge and the creative design undertaken by Lemon Communications.

  • BBC World launches new ad campaign and contests

    MUMBAI: It is not just the newly launched news channels that are into high profile media campaigns. The Beeb is doing some of its own – across five cities at that.

    BBC World is launching the new media campaign highlighting the BBC’s “impartiality and expertise” in news coverage, a company release says. The campaign focuses on the channel’s core strengths with messages such as ‘Everyone has a point of view; we make sure you see them all’, ‘One thing we never do is take a story at face value’, and ‘With our global coverage, news knows no boundaries.’

    BBC World head of marketing Seema Kotecha is quoted in the release as saying, “We received an overwhelming response from audiences across the globe for BBC World’s exemplary coverage of the recent Iraq crisis. Add to that, the ratings from TAM in India and other media research sources like AC Neilsen, and the global Peoplemeter have been testimony to BBC World’s growing audiences. This media campaign reminds audiences that the BBC’s international standards ensure a balanced, thorough examination of every story, from every point of view.”

    The campaign targets the channel’s core audiences in five major metros of the country, the campaign includes print advertisements in India Today and Business Today complemented by a competition on pre-paid postcards inserted alongside the ads. The contest offers participants a chance to win a large-screen digital TV and exclusive BBC World merchandise for 100 lucky winners. Translites at major airports in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore will target the section of air travellers, while hoardings in Mumbai and mobile vans traversing across Delhi reach out to the large audiences in these metros. The campaign runs for the months of June and July.