Dull & Dangerous

Most Britons like the BBC's tone of voice, but wish it uttered more interesting sounds. Some fed-up characters--they are definitely in the minority--don't even like the idea. They want rival networks to break the monopoly of the state-chartered, non-commercial radio. Others have suggested that BBC be supplemented by commercial shows akin to U.S. radio. Last week, BBC's critics got a starchy answer from Clement Attlee's Government. In a lengthy White Paper, Britain's Socialists defended the state monopoly, said the BBC charter would be renewed next Jan. 1, refused demands in Parliament for a full public inquiry.

The press howled. Conservatives, who had established BBC's monopoly in 1926, hinted that Attlee's Socialists wanted to perpetuate an undemocratic principle. Liberals thought there was no excuse for denying a public review of BBC.

In that year, Britain took broadcasting away from a private group of set manufacturers such as Marconi and General Electric. It appointed a board of governors to administer the British Broadcasting Corp. as a public corporation, financed by an annual license fee* (similar to the former U.S. auto use tax) on each "wireless set." By giving the Corporation absolute control of all broadcasting, Britain hoped to gain a compromise between Government-owned radio and plug-ugly commercial radio.

Balance-Sheet. BBC has not by any means been an out-&-out failure. At times, it has been radio at its best, free of irksome singing commercials and stomach-remedy spiels. Since its time is not for sale, BBC schedules shows solely on merit--it has given two hours to Hamlet, an hour and a half to John Brown's Body. And since its success does not depend upon the sales of soup or soap, it can pace the nation's culture instead of playing down to it. In news, classical music and good drama, BBC strides far ahead of U.S. broadcasting.

But too often BBC is tedious and dull, partly because it has no competition, partly because its performers are underpaid. Its $34 million-a-year income is no match for the $386 million spent on U.S. radio. Consequently, BBC often fills the day with such lecture subjects as: "How to Make Fisherman's Pie," "The Shoe Situation," "The Arab World Today," or "The Necessity of God."

Since the war, more & more listeners have complained. They were spoiled by the Armed Forces Network which broadcast the best in U.S. radio (minus commercials) to G.I.s in Britain. A recent public opinion poll showed that 45% of BBC's listeners wanted a commercial network as well as BBC; only 42% were satisfied with the status quo. Said the Economist last week: "The BBC . . . is dull . . . and . . . potentially dangerous. . . . It is almost incredible that any democratic country should have allowed itself ... to create a monopoly of the greatest means of influencing public opinion.. . ."

*The recently doubled rate: -L-1, payable to local post offices.

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