Post by Teddy Bear on Apr 1, 2012 17:56:36 GMT
One can only wonder what must be in the mind of a BBC executive to authorise this absurd expense. Was it in response to a complaint? In which case it shows the sort of complaints the BBC will entertain. We know full well that they discard the more serious ones - just ask Carl.
Is Dr Who Welsh enough? BBC wastes £20k asking if 'planets' look like Cardiff
By Chris Hastings
He is an alien from Gallifrey, has two hearts and visits a different planet and time zone every week.
So it’s hardly surprising a £20,000 BBC poll has found that Doctor Who isn’t very Welsh.
The Corporation has been criticised for spending money on asking special focus groups whether it is obvious enough that the programme and Torchwood spin-off are filmed in and around Cardiff.
A wide range of people were asked for their views – including members of the gay, lesbian and transgender communities, Somali men living in Wales, pensioners, schoolchildren and the shows’ fans.
The eight groups were shown clips from the two shows and asked for their comments.
Most were aware the two shows were filmed in Cardiff, but Doctor Who, starring Matt Smith as the Time Lord, was criticised for playing down its links to Wales.
Torchwood, whose team of alien hunters is based in the Welsh capital, was praised for its positive portrayal of the city.
One fan said: ‘Doctor Who tends to hide the fact it is in Cardiff, which is different from Torchwood where they say they are in Cardiff. In Doctor Who, they try to make it look like London.’
Other fans bemoaned Doctor Who’s failure to include the Welsh language, or even a convincing local accent.
But one Torchwood fan said the show made ‘Cardiff cooler than it really is’. Several gay and lesbian viewers were impressed by the show’s portrayal of gay characters, including bisexual Captain Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman.
Details of the consultation, carried out by the University of Glamorgan, are provided in a 113-page report called Screening The Nation: Wales And Landmark Television.
The Mail on Sunday obtained the documents from Cardiff Council after a 14-month Freedom of Information Act battle.
Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster said: ‘An exercise like this is barking mad.
'It is unacceptable at a time when the BBC is having to slash programme budgets and cut staff numbers.’
The BBC Trust said: ‘The report was part of the Audience Council Wales’ work to understand how effectively the BBC represents the different nations, regions and communities of the UK.’
Cardiff Council said its battle with The Mail on Sunday was conducted by an in-house lawyer at no extra public cost.
By Chris Hastings
He is an alien from Gallifrey, has two hearts and visits a different planet and time zone every week.
So it’s hardly surprising a £20,000 BBC poll has found that Doctor Who isn’t very Welsh.
The Corporation has been criticised for spending money on asking special focus groups whether it is obvious enough that the programme and Torchwood spin-off are filmed in and around Cardiff.
A wide range of people were asked for their views – including members of the gay, lesbian and transgender communities, Somali men living in Wales, pensioners, schoolchildren and the shows’ fans.
The eight groups were shown clips from the two shows and asked for their comments.
Most were aware the two shows were filmed in Cardiff, but Doctor Who, starring Matt Smith as the Time Lord, was criticised for playing down its links to Wales.
Torchwood, whose team of alien hunters is based in the Welsh capital, was praised for its positive portrayal of the city.
One fan said: ‘Doctor Who tends to hide the fact it is in Cardiff, which is different from Torchwood where they say they are in Cardiff. In Doctor Who, they try to make it look like London.’
Other fans bemoaned Doctor Who’s failure to include the Welsh language, or even a convincing local accent.
But one Torchwood fan said the show made ‘Cardiff cooler than it really is’. Several gay and lesbian viewers were impressed by the show’s portrayal of gay characters, including bisexual Captain Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman.
Details of the consultation, carried out by the University of Glamorgan, are provided in a 113-page report called Screening The Nation: Wales And Landmark Television.
The Mail on Sunday obtained the documents from Cardiff Council after a 14-month Freedom of Information Act battle.
Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster said: ‘An exercise like this is barking mad.
'It is unacceptable at a time when the BBC is having to slash programme budgets and cut staff numbers.’
The BBC Trust said: ‘The report was part of the Audience Council Wales’ work to understand how effectively the BBC represents the different nations, regions and communities of the UK.’
Cardiff Council said its battle with The Mail on Sunday was conducted by an in-house lawyer at no extra public cost.