The War Against the BBC: How an Unprecedented Combination of Hostile Forces Is Destroying Britain's Greatest Cultural Institutio

Description

A myth-busting expose of the forces destroying the BBC The BBC is a central part of British life, shared culture and international standing. It is the British public's most important and trusted news provider in a world of global fake news; a hugely popular, low-cost source of universally available information, education and entertainment - watched and listened to by most people for at least a couple of hours every day, despite stiff competition; and the crown jewel of the UK's global reputation. But the BBC is in peril as never before in its long history. It faces ever-increasing competition and threats from new technology and consumption trends. It suffers relentless attacks from a range of hostile players motivated by their own political and commercial interests. And it faces deep funding cuts. These pressures may even destroy it within a generation. We must not end up recognizing what its value was only when it's gone. If the BBC is destroyed it will be almost impossible to rebuild it. This book is a powerful wake-up call to halt the destruction of one of our greatest assets, built up over almost a century, before it's too late.

Patrick Barwise is Emeritus Professor of Management and Marketing at London Business School and former chairman of Which? His previous books include Television and Its Audience, Simply Better and The 12 Powers of a Marketing Leader. Peter York is a cultural commentator, management consultant, author and broadcaster. His previous books include The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook and Authenticity Is a Con. He is the President of the Media Society.

This book's value lies in its steady accumulation of myth-busting data ... its urgent conclusion establishes just how much Britain stands to lose if the BBC as we know it falls. -- Dorian Lynskey * Guardian * A "must" for anyone interested in the future of what many regard as Britain's most important cultural institution and our greatest source of "soft power" on the world stage -- The Sunday Times * John Arlidge * After reaching the end of the book's more than 500 pages one is left with two overwhelming impressions. The first is how important the BBC is to the healthy life of the nation and the second, how its very long-term survival is now in doubt after the sustained political and financial attacks it's suffered these past few decades ... Written with wit and panache ... like taking a stroll through the social and political history of Britain from Thatcher onwards -- Ivor Gaber * The New European * A a thorough and perceptive analysis of some of the big challenges facing the BBC, and the malevolent and dishonest forces raging against it -- Patrick Howse * Byline Times * Scrupulously researched... exposes the myths behind the onslaught. The idea of a "silent majority" exasperated by the BBC's liberal values is at odds with trust ratings that put it above every other news provider -- Ian Burrell * Independent * The value of this book is to remind us that arguments against the BBC are often dishonest or partial, often strongly motivated by vested interests - and often hope for its destruction while affecting to hope for its reform. It may make you, as it did me, think that in this accursed year there's something to be said for keeping a-hold of nurse in fear of finding something worse. -- Sam Leith * UnHerd * A frighteningly informative torrent of history, politics, global economics and warm sympathy -- Libby Purves * The Times * Hair-raising -- Polly Toynbee * The Guardian *