Unit 12 English programmes

扩展资料

BBC的简介

　　Television (colloquially known as “TV”. Or “the telly”) is nowadays so popular in Britain that it is hard to believe that the first accept-able televise picture, were transmitted less than forty years ago. A pioneer team working at Hayes, Middlesex, were the first to produce what is known as “high definition television”, which gives pictures of moving objects clear enough to be enjoyed as entertainment.
　　The BBC was the first authority in the world to provide a public television service, which began in 1936. During the war transmissions it ceased, but was resumed in 1946. The viewers are now able to watch television for many hours a day, if they have time and inclination. Moreover, the viewers now have four channels at their disposal. In 1955 the Independent Broadcasting Authority opened a television service and in 1982 a second Independent Service came into operation. The BBC provides two channels. The viewing hours have also been extended with the introduction of breakfast television by both the BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority. Advertisers buy time for advertising on the Independent Television, but the amount of time devoted to advertising is small; it is strictly limited by the special act that allowed the commercial television. Viewers of any of the programmes can watch plays, “live” transmissions of topical events, sports and athletics, news features, interviews with prominent people, musical performances and many other items. Films are often televised, and many of them are made specially for television. The cinema industry is jealous of television, and understandably keeps new films for showing in cinemas; nevertheless, the TV occasionally screens a premiere, the television has attracted many people away from the cinema and, in recent years, many cinemas have had to close. A frequent criticism of TV programmes is that they too often feature violence and gun-play. On the other hand, it must be said that religious programmes also are transmitted, and many serious and instructive matters are presented.
　　About ninety-five per cent of the population now have television is in their homes. In 1982 there were over 18 million licence in force, and the revenue from these goes to the financing of the BBC transmissions. It is possible for many people to have TV sets, for although these are not cheap, there are ample facilities for renting sets or for hire-purchase.
　　Most programmes, whether BBC or ITV, are now transmitted in colour － but can of course also be received in black-and-white. The number of colour sets in use is very large. British television is linked with Europe through the Eurovision network. There is, however, no truth in the rumour that the experts have invented a method of broadcasting smells!

早期的BBC

　　The BBC was founded in 1922, including radio and television services. It is based on the Broadcasting House in London.
　　The BBC is controlled by some governors chosen by the government, but these people have complete freedom and the government can't interfere(v. 干扰). That is, the BBC is not the mouthpiece (代言人) of the government. It has to be as fair as possible in giving radio and television time to, for example, the political parties and the religious (adj.) groups.
　　There is a kind of interesting service in Britain － rental service. Many people prefer to rent (pay money regularly for the use of) their television sets instead of buying them.
　　The rent for a black and white set is about 80 pence a week ( 1980). The rent of a colour set is twice more than that of a black and white set. If the sets go wrong, people can have them repaired free of the charge of having them replaced (take the place of) immediately.
　　Everyone who owns or rents a television set has to pay a yearly license. There is no advertising on the BBC radio or television. It is from the sale of license that the BBC gets most of its money. A licence for a black and white set costs ￡ 8, and for a colour set ￡18 a year.
　　There are four specialized radio channels (n. 频道), which broadcast different kinds of programmes. Radio 1 is mainly about pop music. Radio 2 deals with light music, sports and other programmes. Radio 3 broadcasts serious music, talks on serious subjects, etc. News broadcasts are mainly given by Radio 4.
　　There are special programmes for Northen Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and certain parts of England. It also broadcasts programmes about Britain in many different languages as well as in English to all parts of the world.

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