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BBC World Service |
| Assistant Senior Studio Manager |
| March 1998 - November 2006 |
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The BBC World Service is one of the most widely recognised international broadcasters, transmitting in 33 languages to many parts of the world through multiple technologies. The English language service broadcasts 24 hours a day. In May 2007 the BBC reported that the World Service's average weekly audience had reached 183 million people, beating the previous record of 163 million listeners set the previous year. The World Service is funded by grant-in-aid through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by the British Government — unlike the BBC's domestic radio and television services, which are primarily funded by a compulsory licence fee levied on every household in the United Kingdom using a television. |
| Information from Wikipedia. More... |
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| Key duties and responsibilities: |
| Technical operation of live and pre-recorded broadcasts across 24 hours |
My daily routine at World Service was to work a 9/10 hour day, consisting of between 4 - 8 studio bookings, usually either live transmissions (15 mins to 1hour durations) or pre-recordings, using modern, professional broadcast studios consisting of digital consoles and computer playout systems (notable Jutel Radioman). |
| Planning and execution of extraordinary programmes, outside broadcasts etc. |
I was responsible for organising and overseeing the transmission of a number of high-profile special programmes, including live music performances with a panel of presenters and a studio audience, and off-site (and sometimes international) live discussion programmes with senior political figures, celebrities etc. |
| Providing technical support to journalists and programme makers |
World Service's language departments operate on a tight budget to maintain their excellent international reputation for high-quality content. Many journalists, however, were recruited from other media sectors and lacked significant radio experience. Studio Managers were responsible for filling this skills gap, and for working closely with producers and journalists to ensure compliance with the technical and aesthetic portions of the BBC Editorial Guidelines. |
| Undertaking duty trips, often to hostile environments |
The nature of the BBC's work in foreign affairs often necessitated the skills of its technical staff to be deployed in the field. I visited the Middle East on two occasions, once to Dubai to relay a live landmark concert by Iranian pop singers, and before that, to Afghanistan for five weeks, in which time I built a semi-permanent studio facility using locally sourced materials and state-of-the-art broadcasting equipment flown in for the BBC by the United Nations. |
| Excercising cultural sensitivity in a highly ethnically diverse environment |
When I joined WS in 1998, there were more than 40 operational language services broadcasting from Bush House, and cultural sensitivity toward the living and working practices of such a diverse workforce was an absolute necessity. It also engendered an understanding of the importance of clear and concise studio operation, in an environment where many journalists and production staff had a less then complete command of English. |
| Training and mentoring trainees and junior staff. |
| Considered by some to be an excellent entry-level post in professional radio, WS took on new Trainee Studio Managers once every year or two. I was involved in both their initial training (SM 'A') course and qualifying (SM 'Q') course, as well as departmental practical training, supervision and guidance. |
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