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PAPER DISCUSSION II
PRIORITIES FOR FUTURE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
1. At a meeting on 17 January, 1986 the BBC presented a paper containing their plans for implementation of the second half of the current audibility programme and their proposals for a capital programme until 1994/95 (see Annex). The paper contains the revisions which we have agreed to the current programme, including the additional transmitters in Ascension Island to improve audibility in Southern Africa, an additional transmitter in Singapore to aid coverage of South-East Asia, three new transmitters at Daventry to replace those not yet able to be installed at Orfordness and aimed at the USSR and Eastern Europe. We have subsequently received proposals from the BBC for a new aerial system and satellite feed for Lesotho to improve audibility in South Africa, which we are looking at urgently.
Whilst it may
be possible to implement at least the new aerial system during the current financial year, there is likely to be some deterioration in World Service broadcasts to Central Africa, at least temporarily, which will need to be considered by the Prescription Committee.
2.
Among the BBC's ideas for the future, (in addition to those requirements which represent essential maintenance or replacement) are the following:
a medium wave transmitter in the new Hong Kong relay station;
a medium wave transmitter at the Singapore station;
an additional two short wave transmitters for the new Seychelles station;
a replacement transmitter programme for Skelton (Cumbria) which would improve signals to Southern Europe and North Africa;
further short wave transmitters for Orfordness aimed at Eastern Europe;
a medium wave transmitter in Gibraltar for the Rock and North Africa.
possible funding for an external broadcasting service in vision.
funding for technological improvements in Bush House and elsewhere.
Financing could not be found for all these proposals in addition to the funds required for unavoidable capital expenditure.
3. There are indications from posts and other sources that audibility remains a problem in many countries including South Africa, India, China, Korea, Southern Western Europe, parts of South East Asia, Latin America and the United States. Improvements in reception will of course be made in the course of the existing audibility programme and in particular with the coming into
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