Full English translation:
Firstly, I'd like to say a big thank you to all of you who commented on my last vlog - I was very touched, and didn't expect it! So, many thanks!
I have to say I laughed at the comment about watching me vlog since my hair was short... you're right; it's getting very long now. Oh, well. I also laughed at the comments from those who thought I was a grumpy old man, and I look too cheerful when I vlog. I assure you, I'm grumpy inside, OK?!
And today I do have a good reason to be proper grumpy, because I've heard that See Hear, our weekly Deaf TV programme here in the UK, is going downhill. Terry Riley, the Deaf Editor, has been doing a great job for a while, but I've been told hearing people are taking over and basically spoiling the show. Our 45 minute programme is being cut down to only 30 minutes! And if that isn't bad enough, as from this September it's being moved from Saturday to Wednesday (daytime). What?!
I'm sorry, but I do have a job, and I don't sit around watching TV with nothing much else to do all day, and nor do other Deaf people I know. We have busy lives, you know! This is us Deafies being swept under the carpet again, I know.
So today I am really grumpy, and I say:
And...
I urge the BBC to please rethink their decision and consider us Deaf people.
SAVE SEE HEAR!
Comments (14)
Although I don't watch See Hear because its on at a ridiculous time on a Saturday.Some of us have family's we don't stay in watching tv all day.
So people say use a video recorder.. and yep my question to you why not use a video recorder.
But only thing is wrong is cutting it from 45 min to 30 :-(
Posted by Fintan | May 14, 2007 11:28 PM
Drip drip with cuts, so we don't notice.
First a move from Sunday > Saturday. Now mid week from 45 minutes to 30 minutes.
If the BBC is going to go by audience figures, then it defeats the purpose of being a public broadcaster. Leave popularity shows to ITV and other commercial carriers.
Here the BBC should be targeting at a DEAF audience, since there is nothing else. It has BBC Asian Network, BBC Cymru, etc. Those programmes are targeted at those groups, so why can't the same logic apply for us?
Posted by Alison | May 14, 2007 11:34 PM
@Fintan re a video recorder, can you actually buy one that records subtitles these days?
Even for BSL users, there's now parts of See Hear that has *no* BSL, for example the recent coverage of Miss Deaf UK. Where the hell was the BSL interpretation? Are we going backwards?
Posted by Alison | May 14, 2007 11:38 PM
@Alison
"a video recorder, can you actually buy one that records subtitles these days?"
you can record any digital programmes sky freeview etc using ordinary video recorder but not off analogue tv.
Posted by Fintan | May 15, 2007 12:32 AM
@Fintan - that's true / forgot. Haven't got around to rewiring anything here, since videos are old tech anyway.
Posted by Alison | May 15, 2007 12:50 AM
Fintan, the fact that you can record [video record] the programme is not the point. The point is See Hear is being moved to a different time slot, AND being cut!
The point is Deaf needs are being sidelined.
Why can't hearies use a frigging video recorder?
Posted by Tony Nicholas | May 15, 2007 8:26 AM
@tony
Why can't hearies use a frigging video recorder?
Good point Tony
Posted by Fintan | May 15, 2007 5:42 PM
I believe the reasons given were that Saturday ratings weren't great. Most people are out and about Saturday lunchtime. They reckon the show will appeal to all those bored housewives out there, therefore upping the ratings. Or something along those lines.
I think our main problem is apathy. I don't exactly see Deafies rioting in the street, handcuffing themselves to the BBC/CH4 HQ! When VEE-TV was cut nobody really did much about it. As a matter of fact, many people are still unaware that it's been cut!
Posted by Caroline | May 16, 2007 11:17 PM
I believe the reasons given were that Saturday ratings weren't great. Most people are out and about Saturday lunchtime. They reckon the show will appeal to all those bored housewives out there, therefore upping the ratings. Or something along those lines.
I think our main problem is apathy. I don't exactly see Deafies rioting in the street, handcuffing themselves to the BBC/CH4 HQ! When VEE-TV was cut nobody really did much about it. As a matter of fact, many people are still unaware that it's been cut!
Posted by Caroline | May 16, 2007 11:17 PM
Oops. Two comments exactly the same. Sorry.
Posted by Caroline | May 16, 2007 11:19 PM
The only time they spark into life is when they're called apathetic ! Deaf-TV indeed BSL programs on TV are unsupported, VEE TV WAS worth saving, the younger people it was aimed at didn't think it worth saving.
Time they faced up to this, if you compare the amount of interest in titling, and the recent attempts to raise petitions to support it, then the obvious is very apparent, BSL TV is a non-starter in TV access terms. Grass roots support these things in principle, just so long as they don't have to waste an afternoon lobbying or there's a booze up somewhere, they don't like being called apathetic, but that is what they are, the old campaigners must be spinning in their grave at the young 'uns these days, thinking why did we bother ?
Only subtitling elicits real support. The Deaf Broadcasting Council, ever our guardians of TV access (NOT !), only support about 3 to 5% signed 'official' access themselves. But both the DBC/and TAG haven't got off their bum for the last 5 years, ask any Deafie who they are, you are unlikely to get an answer either. Whether the fault is theirs I'm unsure, they can only do so much alone...
The only apparent access to TV campaign in recent times, is for titles on SKY output, but it's uncoordinated and sparodic,and you need a concentrated effort to influence Rupert Murdoch.
Posted by MM | May 17, 2007 5:34 PM
Hi there, I want to says to you that I definite agree with you. I was totally stunned to know that the time will change from Saturday to Wednesday. I am annoyed because I'm working 5 days a week and would not be able to see while I am at work. I'm from Dublin, Ireland and have BBC programme. I use to watch this above on Saturday but now, I will not be able to see the bloody programme.
Noelle :(
Posted by Noelle | May 17, 2007 11:02 PM
Video Recorder .... Yeah..I should be able to set up the recorder but I have not clue about that ... That's why I'm hopeless...
Posted by Noelle | May 17, 2007 11:04 PM
For a DVD recorder that records subtitles. I have two Panasonic DMR-EZ25 that does that. Using extra play I get 8 hours out of a 2 hour disks. They records from all 5 channels plus Freeview. And you ask why two. I live alone, work all unusual hours and watch in leisure. also cant miss much if I have visitors I just switch off and return to continue without missing anything. I used to have Panasonic VHS NUfJ710. They are easy to set up.
Posted by John Derby | April 29, 2008 2:20 PM