BBC staff and freelancers part of annual plan success, says Bectu

BBC Broadcasting House, London

The BBC has launched its annual plan today outlining huge audiences and attracting large numbers of younger viewers during the coronavirus crisis.

Some of the key figures in the report include:

• As many as 94% of the UK adult population – and 86% of younger people – have turned to the BBC in some weeks, with the vast majority rating the BBC’s response highly and official figures showing it remains by far the most trusted source of news.
• Viewing of BBC TV has been 50% higher than last year in some weeks, while viewing figures for TV news have hit their highest levels since 2003.
•  77% of the public think the BBC is currently effective at the moment in informing, educating and entertaining the UK, with a similar percentage for young adults.

Commenting on the BBC annual plan, head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “The hard work and resilience of Bectu’s BBC staff and freelance members should be acknowledged as part of the success story the BBC is unveiling today.

“The BBC has proved itself able to adapt and provide outstanding information, entertainment and education for a multitude of audiences during the most challenging of circumstances.

“However, it is now imperative that funding is sufficient for the BBC as it continues to build on these significant achievements.

“The advent of coronavirus has demonstrated what we already knew, that the BBC’s public funding model delivers the excellence audiences want and expect, in a commercially competitive environment.”