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ICM Research Ltd. Registered in England No. 2571387. Registered Address: Creston House, 10 Great Pulteney Street, London W1F 9NB A part of Creston Unlimited
BBC Trust Service Review:
Quantitative Research BBC Nations’ Radio, News and Current Affairs
February – April 2016
A report by ICM on behalf of the BBC Trust
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 2
Contents
Executive summary ............................................................................................................ 4
1. Background and methodology ................................................................................... 9
1.1 Background .................................................................................................................... 9
1.2 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 9
1.3 Presentation and interpretation of the data .................................................................. 10
2. Scotland...................................................................................................................... 11
2.1 Overall favourability towards the BBC in Scotland ........................................................ 11
2.2 Serving audiences in Scotland ..................................................................................... 11
2.3 Claimed use of news in Scotland ................................................................................. 12
2.4 Claimed consumption of Scottish news and information – unprompted ........................ 13
2.5 Reasons for not using the BBC for Scottish news ........................................................ 14
2.6 BBC Radio Scotland .................................................................................................... 15
2.6.1 BBC Radio Scotland: News .......................................................................................... 17
2.6.2 BBC Radio Scotland: Politics and Sport ..................................................................... 18
2.6.3 BBC Radio Scotland: Music and Arts .......................................................................... 19
2.6.4 BBC Radio Scotland: representation .......................................................................... 20
2.6.5 Listener participation on BBC Radio Scotland ........................................................... 21
2.6.6 BBC Radio Scotland’s website ..................................................................................... 21
2.7 BBC Scotland Television News and Current Affairs ..................................................... 22
2.7.1 BBC Scotland TV News ................................................................................................ 23
2.7.2 BBC Scotland’s TV current affairs/political programmes ......................................... 26
2.8 BBC Scotland News Online ......................................................................................... 28
2.9 Gaelic language services ............................................................................................. 30
3. Wales .......................................................................................................................... 31
3.1 Overall favourability towards the BBC in Wales............................................................ 31
3.2 Serving audiences in Wales ......................................................................................... 31
3.3 Claimed use of news in Wales ..................................................................................... 32
3.4 Types of Welsh news and information consumed – unprompted .................................. 34
3.5 Reasons for not using the BBC for news about Wales ................................................. 35
3.6 BBC Radio Wales ........................................................................................................ 35
3.6.1 BBC Radio Wales: News .............................................................................................. 37
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 3
3.6.2 BBC Radio Wales: Politics and Sport ......................................................................... 38
3.6.3 BBC Radio Wales: Cultural broadcasting ................................................................... 39
3.6.4 BBC Radio Wales: Representation ............................................................................. 39
3.6.5 Listener participation on BBC Radio Wales ............................................................... 40
3.6.6 BBC Radio Wales’ website ........................................................................................... 41
3.7 BBC Radio Cymru ........................................................................................................ 42
3.8 BBC Wales Television News and Current Affairs ......................................................... 42
3.8.1 BBC Wales TV news...................................................................................................... 43
3.8.2 BBC Wales TV Current Affairs/Political programmes ............................................... 46
3.9 BBC Wales News Online ............................................................................................. 48
4. Northern Ireland ......................................................................................................... 51
4.1 Overall favourability towards the BBC in Northern Ireland ............................................ 51
4.2 Serving audiences in Northern Ireland ......................................................................... 51
4.3 Claimed use of news in Northern Ireland...................................................................... 52
4.4 Types of Northern Irish news and information consumed – unprompted ...................... 53
4.5 Reasons for not using the BBC for Northern Ireland news ........................................... 54
4.6 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle ............................................................................................... 54
4.6.1 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle: news ..................................................................................... 56
4.6.2 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle: politics and sport ................................................................ 56
4.6.3 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle: cultural broadcasting ......................................................... 57
4.6.4 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle: Representation ................................................................... 57
4.6.5 Listener participation on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle ..................................................... 58
4.6.6 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle’s website ............................................................................... 59
4.7 BBC Northern Ireland Television News and Current Affairs ......................................... 59
4.7.1 BBC Northern Ireland television News ........................................................................ 60
4.7.2 BBC Northern Ireland Television Current Affairs ....................................................... 62
4.8 BBC Northern Ireland News Online .............................................................................. 64
5. Appendices ................................................................................................................ 68
Appendix 1: Guide to Statistical Reliability .......................................................................... 68
Appendix 2: Definition of BAME .......................................................................................... 69
Appendix 3: Sample Profile ................................................................................................. 70
Appendix 4: Marked-up questionnaire ................................................................................. 72
Appendix 6: Differences in claimed radio listening by age ................................................. 118
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 4
Executive summary
Overall Themes
In all nations, the majority of respondents believe the BBC serves audiences well in their
respective areas.
o 62% of respondents in Scotland believe the BBC serves audiences in Scotland
well
o 72% of respondents in Wales believe the BBC serves audiences in Wales well
o 76% of respondents in Northern Ireland believe the BBC serves audiences in
Northern Ireland well.
Despite many respondents across all nations holding BBC outputs and the BBC in high
regard, there are a number of areas where the BBC does not meet audience
expectations with its television output.
The provision of high quality, independent news often has the largest gap between
perceived importance and perceived BBC performance among BBC television news
viewers. The biggest gap is among television viewers in Scotland (-15), while Northern
Ireland has a smaller gap of -12 and Wales has a slightly smaller gap of -11.
The BBC in all nations fully meets television news viewer expectations with online
content and social media. This is partly because viewers and listeners do not put as
much importance on these features: only two in five (43%) of viewers in Northern Ireland
believe this is important, while just one in three of Welsh (33%) and Scottish (32%)
viewers believe providing additional content on social media is important.
BBC nations radio in each nation have very high scores for key measures including
being high quality, entertaining and distinctive.
Online output is viewed positively across nations. Those in Scotland give an average
score of 7.4 out of 10 for BBC Online news services, while those in Northern Ireland give
an average of 7.7 and those in Wales give a similar score of 7.8.
Generally, throughout this research respondents to the survey in Scotland have been
more negative than those in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Scotland
Overall favourability
Half of those surveyed in Scotland (50%) have a favourable overall impression of the
BBC, with 14% scoring it ten out of ten. Over one in ten people (13%) have an
unfavourable impression of the BBC overall.
More than six in ten (62%) think the BBC serves audiences in Scotland well; fewer than
two in ten (17%) disagree.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 5
Over half (52%) have a favourable view of BBC Radio Scotland. Four in ten (41%) have
a neutral view and 5% view it unfavourably.
More than six in ten (64%) have a positive overall impression of BBC Scotland television
news, whereas around three in ten (33%) are neutral and 3% have an unfavourable
view.
Half of those surveyed in Scotland (49%) have a positive impression of the BBC’s
current affairs and political programming on TV. A further four in ten have a neutral view
(40%), and one in ten view it unfavourably (10%).
Performance measures
BBC Radio Scotland: a majority of respondents agree that BBC Radio Scotland is
informative (80%), provides high quality programming (70%), is distinctive compared with
other radio stations (61%) and has programmes that are entertaining (60%).
It very nearly meets audience expectations in the areas of introducing listeners to new
presenters, performers and artists from Scotland (-2) and supporting arts and culture in
Scotland (+1). Listeners’ expectations are least well met in the area of reflecting
listeners’ local interests and concerns (-23).
BBC Scotland TV News: a majority of people agree that BBC Scotland TV news is
informative (81%), relevant to them (71%), high quality (69%) and engaging (64%).
However, only four in ten (40%) feel that it is different from what is offered by other
providers.
It meets audience expectations for providing additional content on social media (+5). The
gap between expectations and perceived performance is larger in the areas of providing
accurate and up-to-date news (-12) and giving viewers a better understanding of news
and topical issues in Scotland (-12). The largest performance gap is in relation to
providing high quality independent news (-15).
BBC Scotland TV Current Affairs: a majority of people agree that BBC Scotland TV
current affairs programming is informative (78%), high quality (72%), relevant (70%) and
engaging (68%).
It nearly meets audience expectations in the areas of covering a wide range of topics
and subject matter (-1) and providing political analysis (-6). The largest performance gap
is for holding decision makers in Scotland to account (-21).
BBC Scotland news online: 82% agree it is informative, 74% feel it is relevant to them,
70% say it is high quality, and 62% feel it provides the right amount of news for their
area.
The smallest performance gaps for this service relate to providing clear links to other
local media and information providers (-7) and sourcing or sharing content with other
such providers (-11). The largest gap between perceived importance and performance is
in relation to providing high quality independent news (-22).
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 6
Wales
Overall favourability
Just under six in ten of those surveyed in Wales (58%) have a favourable overall
impression of the BBC, with 14% scoring it ten out of ten. Fewer than one in ten people
(6%) have an unfavourable impression of the BBC overall.
More than seven in ten (72%) think the BBC serves audiences in Wales well, fewer than
one in ten (7%) disagree.
Over six in ten (63%) have a favourable view of BBC Radio Wales. Fewer than four in
ten (36%) have a neutral view and less than 1% view it unfavourably.
Six in ten (59%) have a favourable impression of BBC Radio Cymru. More than one
third of listeners (37%) have a neutral view and just 2% have a negative overall
impression.
More than six in ten (64%) have a positive overall impression of BBC Wales television
news, whereas around three in ten (34%) are neutral and 2% have an unfavourable
view.
Over six in ten of those surveyed in Wales (61%) have a positive impression of the
BBC’s current affairs and political programming on TV. A further three in ten have a
neutral view (35%), and just 2% view it unfavourably.
Performance measures
BBC Radio Wales: a majority of respondents agree that BBC Radio Wales is
informative (88%), provides high quality programming (84%), has programmes that are
entertaining (83%), and is distinctive compared with other radio stations (73%).
BBC Radio Wales meets audience expectations for providing high quality news and
highlighting important social issues to listeners. The largest gap between perceived
importance and performance is in relation to portraying listeners’ particular cultures or
communities to other people in Wales (-11).
BBC Wales TV News: a majority of respondents agree that BBC Wales TV news is
informative (82%), high quality (75%), relevant (72%), engaging (68%), and different
from what is offered by other providers (51%).
BBC Wales TV news mostly meets audience expectations for representing Wales (-4)
and providing additional content on social media (+5). The largest performance gap is in
relation to providing high quality independent news (-11).
BBC Wales TV Current Affairs: a majority of respondents agree that BBC Wales TV
Current affairs programming is informative (88%), high quality (82%), relevant (75%) and
engaging (75%).
BBC Wales TV current affairs programming mostly meets audience expectations for
covering the important political stories in Wales (-5) and providing political analysis (-8).
The largest performance gap is for holding decision makers in Wales to account (-23).
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 7
BBC Wales news online: BBC Wales news online is widely seen to be meeting its key
performance measures; 91% agree it is informative, 83% feel it is relevant to them, 81%
say it is high quality, and 71% feel it provides the right amount of news for their area.
The smallest performance gaps for this service relate to providing users with up-to-date
news about Wales (-1) and providing clear links to other local media and information
providers (-3). The largest performance gap is in relation to providing high quality
independent news (-8).
Northern Ireland
Overall favourability
Fewer than six in ten of those surveyed in Northern Ireland (56%) have a favourable
overall impression of the BBC, with 15% scoring it ten out of ten. Fewer than one in ten
people (8%) have an unfavourable impression of the BBC overall.
More than seven in ten (76%) think the BBC serves audiences in Northern Ireland well,
just over one in ten (11%) disagree.
Fewer than six in ten (57%) have a favourable view of BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle. Four in
ten (40%) have a neutral view and 3% view it unfavourably.
More than six in ten (66%) have a positive overall impression of BBC Northern Ireland’s
television news, around three in ten (29%) are neutral and 3% have an unfavourable
view.
Six in ten of those surveyed in Northern Ireland (60%) have a positive impression of the
BBC’s current affairs and political programming on TV. Fewer than four in ten have a
neutral view (36%), and 4% view it unfavourably.
Performance measures
BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle: a majority of respondents agree that BBC Ulster/Foyle is
informative (87%), provides high quality programming (76%), is distinctive compared with
other radio stations (75%), and has programmes that are entertaining (73%).
BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle meets audience expectations in the areas of reflecting the
diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Northern Ireland, and helping listeners
understand politics in Northern Ireland. The largest gap between audience expectations
and perceived performance is for reflecting the local interests and concerns of listeners (-
17).
BBC Northern Ireland TV News: a majority of respondents agree that BBC Northern
Ireland TV news is informative (85%), relevant (76%), high quality (75%), and engaging
(64%). However, fewer than half (49%) agree that it is different from other providers.
BBC Northern Ireland TV news mostly meets audience expectations for giving viewers a
better understanding of news and topical issues in Northern Ireland (-7), relating national
and international news to viewers’ regions (-7), and providing additional content on social
media (+7). The largest performance gap is in relation to providing high quality
independent news (-12).
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 8
BBC Northern Ireland TV Current Affairs: a majority of respondents agree that BBC
Northern Ireland TV Current affairs programming is informative (84%), high quality
(79%), relevant (78%) and engaging (76%).
BBC Northern Ireland TV Current affairs programming meets audience expectations for
providing political analysis (no gap) and covering the important political stories in
Northern Ireland (+1). The largest gap between perceived importance and performance
is for holding decision makers in Northern Ireland to account (-19).
BBC Northern Ireland news online: BBC Northern Ireland news online is widely seen
to be informative (85%), relevant (77%), high quality (77%), and provides the right
amount of news for their area (72%).
This service meets audience expectations in providing clear links to other local media
and information providers (-4) and providing users with up-to-date news about Northern
Ireland (-5). The largest performance gap is in relation to providing high quality
independent news (-12).
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 9
1. Background and methodology
1.1 Background
The BBC Trust is the governing body of the BBC. The BBC Trust works on behalf of licence
fee payers to ensure that the BBC provides high quality services and good value for
everyone in the UK.
The BBC Trust commissioned ICM Unlimited to undertake a quantitative survey of users of
BBC local radio, BBC regional television news services, BBC regional current affairs
programming, and BBC local news online.
1.2 Methodology
Three separate surveys were conducted, one for each nation, among nationally
representative samples of those aged 16 or over. Demographic quotas were set to ensure a
representative sample of the adult population in each nation.
Data for all surveys were weighted by age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic grade to
reflect the national demographic distribution in each nation.
Scotland
All 502 interviews in Scotland were conducted online using the BBC Trust Online Research
Panel, topped up with sample from ICM’s own newvista panel. Fieldwork was conducted
between 11th and 24th February 2016.
Wales
In Wales, surveys were conducted both online and using CATI (Computer Assisted
Telephone Interviewing).
400 interviews were conducted online among a nationally representative sample of the
16+ population of Wales.
Interviews were conducted using the BBC Trust online research panel, topped up with
sample from ICM’s own newvista panel.
100 interviews were conducted using CATI with Welsh speakers. No quotas were set for
CATI interviews, although data were weighted to the demographic distribution in Wales.
Fieldwork was conducted between 11th February and 1st March 2016.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the majority of interviewing was conducted online, with some interviews
also conducted by CATI.
424 interviews were conducted online using the BBC Trust online research panel, topped
up with sample from ICM’s own newvista panel and third party panel sources.
90 interviews were conducted via CATI to nationally representative quotas. No other
requirements were set.
Fieldwork was conducted between 11th February and 1st March 2016.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 10
1.3 Presentation and interpretation of the data
Where percentages do not add up to 100, this may be due to rounding, the exclusion of
“don’t know” categories, or multiple answers. Throughout the report an asterisk (*) denotes
any value of less than half of one per cent but greater than zero. In the report, reference is
made to “net” figures. This represents the balance of opinion on attitudinal questions and
provides a particularly useful means of comparing the results for a number of variables.
Respondents were asked to rate the services against a number of statements. They were
asked to rate the extent to which they agreed that the service was achieving each measure
or feature, giving a ‘performance score’. Respondents were then asked to rate the extent to
which they agreed it was important for the service to provide, giving an ‘importance score’.
The percentage of importance for each measure is then subtracted from the performance
percentage to give a ‘performance gap’ showing the difference between how services are
performing and the importance that these measures have for respondents.
All research is carried out in compliance with ISO 20252 and ISO 27001.
© ICM Unlimited / 213941 August 2016
Report prepared by:
Gregor Jackson (gregor.jackson@icmunlimited.com) Natalie Compas (natalie.compas@icmunlimited.com)
Erica Harrison (erica.harrison@icmunlimited.com)
020 7845 8300
www.icmunlimited.com | http://twitter.com/ICMUnlimited
ICM Unlimited, Creston House, 10 Great Pulteney Street, London, W1F 9NB
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 11
2. Scotland
2.1 Overall favourability towards the BBC in Scotland
Half of people interviewed in Scotland (50%) say they hold a favourable overall impression
of the BBC, with 14% giving it a score of 10/10. Just over one third (36%) say they feel
neutral towards the BBC and over one in ten (13%) say they have a negative impression of
the BBC. These levels of favourability towards the BBC in Scotland are lower than those
recorded in both Wales and Northern Ireland.
Q4. Thinking about the BBC generally, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
Those aged 65 and over are most likely to hold a positive impression of the BBC, with 62%
expressing favourable views. Those aged 16-24 and 55-64 are also broadly positive, with
52% and 51% respectively. The most unfavourable views are held by those aged 35-44
(22% unfavourable).
2.2 Serving audiences in Scotland
The majority of people surveyed in Scotland feel that the BBC serves Scottish audiences
well. Six in ten people (62%) agree the BBC does this, with around two in ten (18%) saying it
serves them ‘very well’. A similar proportion (18%) are neutral and slightly fewer (17%) feel
the BBC does not serve audiences in Scotland well.
Confidential: For research purposes only 4
6% 2%5% 5% 7% 8% 16% 23% 13% 14%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Scotland overall impression Q4
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
13%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
50%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
36%
Mean:
6.9
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All respondents in Scotland (502)
Q4. Thinking about the BBC generally, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 12
Q5. How well does the BBC as a whole serve audiences specifically in Scotland?
As with overall favourability, those aged 65+ and those aged 16-24 are most likely to feel
that the BBC serves audiences in Scotland well (both 66%). Women are also more likely to
agree than men (65% versus 59%). Those who have a favourable impression of the BBC
overall are significantly more likely to feel it serves Scotland well than those who hold an
unfavourable overall impression (87% vs.11%).
2.3 Claimed use of news in Scotland
Television is the most common medium used to get news and information for Scotland, with
nine in ten people (89%) claiming they watch it. Around six in ten say they use internet sites,
apps or blogs (59%) or local newspapers (57%), and half (50%) claim to listen to their local
radio stations. Over four in ten (44%) say they use social media for this purpose.
Q1. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use to access news and information for
Scotland?
Confidential: For research purposes only 7
How well BBC serves Scotland Q5.How well does the BBC as a whole serve audiences specifically in Scotland?
18%
44%
18%
11%
7%
BBC in Scotland
Very well Quite well Neither well nor not well Not very well Not well at all
Base: All respondents in Scotland (502)
TOTAL:
Well 62%
TOTAL:
Not well 18%
Confidential: For research purposes only 7
Accessing Scottish newsQ1. Which, if any, of the following ways do you access news and information for Scotland?
Base: All respondents in Scotland (502)
89%
59%
57%
50%
44%
2%
TV (e.g. local or regional news bulletins on BBC One or ITV)
Internet sites, apps or blogs (not inc. social media)
Local newspapers
Local radio stations (e.g. BBC, commercial or community radio)
Social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
Other sources of local news
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 13
There is a distinct variation in claimed use by age. Seven in ten people aged 65 and over
(70%) claim to get information from local newspapers, compared with fewer than four in ten
(38%) of those aged 16-24. Conversely, 16-24s are more likely than any other group to say
they find information on social media (82%) or on internet sites, apps or blogs (78%).
A majority of respondents also claim to use the BBC to access UK and Scottish news and
current affairs. BBC Scotland TV news is by far the most popular medium, watched by more
than eight in ten (82%) people, and this is followed by BBC Scotland news online, which has
claimed use of fewer than four in ten (37%) people.
Q2. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use the BBC for UK and Scottish news and
current affairs?
More than a quarter of respondents also claim to listen to BBC Radio Scotland (28%) and
claim to watch Scottish current affairs/political programmes on TV (26%). BBC social media
has claimed use of just under a quarter (23%) and 17% claim to use the BBC Scotland
pages on the BBC News app. 6% of those surveyed claim to use Gaelic-language services,
while 8% claim that they do not use any of the BBC services mentioned.
Online BBC sources are more popular with younger users. More than half of 16-24 year olds
(53%) claim to use BBC social media for news about Scotland, and more than four in ten
(44%) use BBC Scotland news online. Older people are much more likely to watch BBC
Scotland TV news, with more than nine in ten (93%) of those aged 65 and over saying they
tune in.
2.4 Claimed consumption of Scottish news and information –
unprompted
When asked unprompted what types of Scottish or national news they consume in a typical
weekday, people mention a variety of different sources.1 For some, consumption of news is
1 For this reason, we have not coded the responses.
Confidential: For research purposes only 8
Using the BBC for Scottish newsQ2. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use the BBC for UK and Scottish news and current affairs?
Base: All respondents in Scotland (502)
82%
37%
28%
26%
23%
17%
6%
5%
2%
3%
8%
BBC Scotland TV news (e.g. regional news bulletins on BBC One)
BBC Scotland news online
BBC Radio Scotland
Scotland current affairs/political programmes on TV
Social media (e.g. your BBC Scotland or BBC Radio Scotland on…
BBC Scotland pages on the BBC News App
NET: Gaelic services
BBC Alba Programming
BBC Radio nan Gaidheal
Other
None of the above
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 14
built in to their daily routine as they have the radio on either at home in the morning, or in the
car while travelling to work.
‘During the week I usually listen to Radio Scotland news on the car radio during morning and evening
commutes. During the day I refer to the full BBC News website on the office PC and the mobile site
on my smartphone…At weekends I tend to watch ITV and Channel 4 news only as my news source.’
(Male, 45-54)
‘Mon-Fri Radio Scotland in the morning, Reporting Scotland at 6:30 Weekends, sometimes a bit of
Radio Scotland’
(Male, 45-54)
Some people say they consume less news of all kinds at the weekends and others say they
are interested in different kinds of news at this time, often mentioning sport.
'I watch BBC news Scotland on TV and access www.eveningexpress.co.uk for my local Aberdeen
news. At the weekend I do not tend to do either of these.’
(Female, 16-24)
'Newspapers Metro and Daily Record Mon-Friday. Watch BBC News, including Scottish News,
sometimes will read BBC News, Scotland on internet. On Saturdays will follow Scottish Football via
BBC app.’
(Male, 45-54)
'I have a look at the Scotsman website. I go onto the BBC website and go to Scottish news. I
occasionally read the Edinburgh Evening News. I listen to Radio Scotland occasionally at weekends
for the sport.’
(Female, 45-54)
However, a significant number of people say their news consumption habits do not change
at weekends but remain the same throughout the week.
'Radio Scotland and BBC Scotland seven days a week.’
(Male, 65+)
'I read BBC World News, BBC UK News, BBC Scotland News online every morning. I also check two
of the regions included under the Scotland heading. No difference at weekends.’
(Female, 65+)
'Mostly internet app, TV and social media. This does not change at weekends.’
(Male, 25-34)
2.5 Reasons for not using the BBC for Scottish news
A small minority of respondents claim that they do not use any BBC services for Scottish
news and they give three main reasons for this. Some people say they are simply not that
interested in specifically Scottish news, preferring programmes with a UK-wide or
international outlook.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 15
'I don't have a very great interest in Scottish news and current affairs.’
(Male, 45-54)
'I'm not that interested. Tend to take a more global view.’
(Male, 35-44)
Others express a preference for other news services and this is generally because they are
perceived to focus more closely on local events and information.
'[I] prefer STV as you can get local news and weather.’
(Female, 55-64)
'[I] find more detail available from other channels and prefer the format they use.’
(Male, 45-54)
Among this small minority, the most commonly cited reason for not using BBC services in
Scotland is a general dislike of the corporation overall, reflected in the fact that the average
overall impression score among this group is 3 out of 10. Several people make reference to
a lack of trust in the BBC, and/or its lack of relevance to Scotland.
‘It’s not trustworthy.’
(Female, 16-24)
‘A lot of the news is for England and I don’t believe what is said.’
(Female, 35-44)
‘I distrust the BBC because they favour English current affairs and are out of touch in Scotland.’
(Female, 25-34)
2.6 BBC Radio Scotland
Listeners to BBC Radio Scotland are generally positive about the service, with more than
half (52%) expressing a favourable overall opinion and just one in twenty (5%) saying they
have a negative impression. Four in ten (41%) say they feel neutral about BBC Radio
Scotland.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 16
Q7. Thinking about BBC Radio Scotland, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
Listeners were asked what kind of programming they listen to on BBC Radio Scotland. The
most common responses were breakfast news (61%), sports coverage (53%) and regular
news bulletins throughout the day (51%).
Q8. Please select all the kinds of programming that you listen to on BBC Radio Scotland
Just under four in ten say they listen to music programmes (38%), three in ten claim to listen
to daytime talk and discussion programmes (30%), two in ten listen to documentaries (22%)
with fewer saying they listen to drama, arts and culture, and comedy programming (all 15%).
Generally, listeners are positive about the programming on BBC Radio Scotland and agree
that the station is informative and distinctive, providing high quality and entertaining
programmes.
Confidential: For research purposes only 10
3% 5% 8% 10% 18% 27% 14% 12%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Radio Scotland overall impression Q7
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
5%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
52%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
41%
Mean:
7.2
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142)
Q7. Thinking about BBC Radio Scotland, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
Confidential: For research purposes only 7
Programming on BBC Radio ScotlandQ8. Please select all of the kinds of programming that you listen to on BBC Radio Scotland
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142)
61%
53%
51%
38%
30%
22%
15%
15%
15%
4%
Breakfast news
Sports coverage
News bulletins throughout the day
Music programmes
Daytime talk and discussion programmes
Documentaries
Drama
Arts and culture
Comedy
Other
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Q9. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio
Scotland…
Eight in ten listeners (80%) agree that BBC Radio Scotland is informative and seven in ten
(70%) feel that it provides high quality programming. Six in ten agree that it is distinctive
compared with other radio stations (61%) and that it has programmes that are entertaining
(60%).
There is some slight variation in radio listening across different age groups. Although base
sizes are small, a general trend can be observed; in Scotland, those aged 35-54 frequently
express the most positive views and highest levels of favourability, whereas those aged 55
and over are generally less satisfied and give the lowest scores. More detail can be found in
Appendix 6.
2.6.1 BBC Radio Scotland: News
Listeners to BBC Radio Scotland are generally positive about its news provision, with almost
three quarters (74%) agreeing that it provides high quality news. Seven in ten (70%) also
agree that it gives them a better understanding of news and topical issues in Scotland.
Confidential: For research purposes only 10
BBC Radio ScotlandQ9. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Scotland…
30
21
18
18
50
49
43
42
12
22
28
30
2
5
8
6
5
4
3
2
1
1
…is informative
…provides high quality programming
…is distinctive compared with other radio stations
…has programmes that are entertaining
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142)
Agree
80%
70%
61%
60%
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Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Scotland… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Scotland…? - Importance
Just under six in ten agree that BBC Radio Scotland news gives them a better
understanding of news and topical issues in the UK (59%), that it has the right balance of
serious and lighter news stories (58%), and that it helps them to understand what’s going on
in the wider world, such as international news and events (57%).
Listeners were also asked how important they perceived each of these measures to be and
the ‘performance gaps’ (the difference between perceived performance and perceived
importance) are also shown on the chart above. The smallest gap was recorded for the most
important measure, the provision of high quality news (-11). The largest gap on any of the
news measures was for giving listeners a better understanding of news and topical issues in
the UK as a whole (-16), suggesting a potential area for improvement.
2.6.2 BBC Radio Scotland: Politics and Sport
BBC Radio Scotland is generally seen to be performing well across a variety of performance
measures including politics, sport and culture. More than six in ten (64%) agree that it helps
them to understand politics in Scotland and over half (52%) agree that it helps to understand
UK-wide politics, but the larger performance gap for this second measure (-15 compared
with -11) suggests more could be done.
Confidential: For research purposes only 11
74%
85%
70%
82%
59%
75%
58%
70%
57%
69%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Scotland: News
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142)
-12
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
…gives me a better understanding
of news and topical issues in
Scotland
…gives me a better understanding
of news and topical issues in the
UK
…provides high quality news
-12
-11
-16
-12
…has the right balance of serious
and lighter news stories
…helps me to understand what’s
going on in the wider world, such
as international news and events
Gap
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Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Scotland… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Scotland…? - Importance
In terms of sports coverage, BBC Radio Scotland has a positive performance gap – six in
ten (60%) feel it is important that the station provides coverage of a variety of sport and 66%
agree that this is something it does.
2.6.3 BBC Radio Scotland: Music and Arts
BBC Radio Scotland is seen by listeners to perform strongly when it comes to music and
arts, as shown by the small performance gaps in this area. Six in ten listeners agree that the
station supports Scottish music (60%) and the arts and culture in Scotland more generally
(58%). Half of all listeners (50%) agree that BBC Radio Scotland introduces them to new
presenters, performers and artists from Scotland. The performance gaps on these measures
are the smallest recorded for the station, ranging from -3 to +1.
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Scotland… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Scotland…? - Importance
Confidential: For research purposes only 12
64%
75%
52%
67%
66%
60%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Scotland: Politics & SportQ10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
…helps me understand UK-wide
politics
…provides coverage of a variety of
sport
…helps me understand politics in
Scotland-11
+6
-15
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142)
Sport
Confidential: For research purposes only 13
60%
63%
58%
57%
50%
52%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Scotland: CultureQ10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
... supports arts and culture
in Scotland
...introduces me to new
presenters, performers and
artists from Scotland
...supports Scottish music
-2
-3
+1
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142)
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2.6.4 BBC Radio Scotland: representation
Performance gaps vary on measures relating to the representation of Scotland and Scottish
issues on the station. While the station is good at exposing listeners to a range of voices
from around Scotland (gap of +7), it is not yet meeting expectations on the provision of
content and programming that caters for the population of Scotland (-13) or highlighting
important social issues (-14).
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Scotland… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Scotland…? - Importance
The largest performance gap for BBC Radio Scotland relates to reflecting listeners’ local
interests and concerns. While over seven in ten (72%) consider this to be important, less
than half (49%) agrees the station is currently achieving this, resulting in a performance gap
of -23. There is a smaller performance gap for measures relating to reflecting the diverse
faiths, cultures and communities of Scotland, and portraying listeners’ particular cultures or
communities to other people in Scotland (both -9), although the perceived importance of
both of these is also among the lowest across all measures.
Confidential: For research purposes only 14
73%
66%
65%
78%
58%
72%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Scotland: Representation (1 of 2)Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
…provides content and
programming that caters for the
population of Scotland
…highlights to me important
social issues
When listening to BBC Radio
Scotland, I hear a range of
voices from around Scotland
-14
+7
-13
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142)
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Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Scotland… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Scotland…? - Importance
2.6.5 Listener participation on BBC Radio Scotland
Listeners were also asked about the amount of listener participation on BBC Radio Scotland:
seven in ten (70%) agreed that the current level was just right, while one in ten (10%)
wanted more and slightly fewer (9%) felt the current level was already too high.
Q11a. Would you say that there is too much, just the right amount, or not enough listener
participation on BBC Radio Scotland?
2.6.6 BBC Radio Scotland’s website
A majority of BBC Radio Scotland listeners (57%) claim to use the station’s website to listen
live, catch up on shows and access clips and podcasts. Fewer than three in ten (29%) have
a favourable impression of the site, a further quarter (26%) are neutral, and only 2% have an
unfavourable impression.
Confidential: For research purposes only 15
49%
72%
48%
57%
41%
50%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
…reflects the diverse faiths,
cultures and communities of
Scotland
…is good at portraying my
particular culture or community
to other people in Scotland
…reflects my local interests and
concerns
-9
-23
-9
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142)
BBC Radio Scotland: Representation (2 of 2)
Confidential: For research purposes only 16
Listener participation on BBC Radio ScotlandQ11a. Would you say that there is too much, just the right amount, or not enough listener participation on BBC
Radio Scotland?
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142)
11%
10%
70%
9%
Listener participation
Too much
Just enough
Not enough
Don't know
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Q12. Thinking about BBC Radio Scotland’s website, what is your overall impression?
2.7 BBC Scotland Television News and Current Affairs
The most commonly viewed programme is Reporting Scotland, with claimed viewing by
more than eight in ten (84%), followed by UK-wide news programmes such as BBC News at
Six, with claimed viewing by half (51%).
Q13. Which, if any, of BBC Scotland’s TV news or current affairs/political programmes do you
tend to watch?
Just under half of people who claim to watch news programmes on BBC Scotland also
watch the BBC News Channel (48%) and 19% watch Politics Scotland/Sunday Politics
Scotland. Fifteen per cent say they listen to BBC breakfast shows on network radio (such as
Radio 4’s Today programme), 14% watch Scotland 2016, and 10% watch BBC Scotland
Investigates.
Older people have much higher claimed use of news and current affairs programming. Over
six in ten (64%) of over 65s say they watch the BBC News Channel, compared with four in
ten (43%) of 16-64 year olds. Almost seven in ten (69%) in this older age group watch UK-
Confidential: For research purposes only 17
BBC Radio Scotland’s websiteQ12. Thinking about BBC Radio Scotland’s website, what is your overall impression?
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142)
4%
40%
29%
26%
2%
BBC Radio Scotland's Website
Unfavourable (1-3)
Neutral (4-7)
Favourable (8-10)
Do not use the BBC Radio Scotlandwebsite
Didn't know BBC Radio Scotlandhad a website
57% using
the website
Confidential: For research purposes only 18
Using BBC Scotland TV News/Current AffairsQ13. Which, if any, of BBC Scotland’s TV news or current affairs/political programmes do you tend to watch?
Base: All who use BBC Scotland television news or current affairs (416)
84%
51%
48%
19%
15%
14%
10%
5%
2%
Reporting Scotland
UK-wide news, e.g. BBC News at Six, BBC News at Ten
BBC News Channel
Politics Scotland/Sunday Politics Scotland
BBC Breakfast on Network Radio e.g. Radio 's Today Programmeor Radio 5 Live
Scotland 2016
BBC Scotland Investigates
Don't watch BBC Scotland's news or current affairs programmes
Other
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wide news programmes like BBC News at Six; compared with fewer than five in ten (45%)
16-64-year-olds.
BBC television news in Scotland is seen as offering high quality news and effectively
balancing Scottish, UK and international news stories.
Q14. The BBC’s television news for Scotland is provided on BBC1 alongside news for the
whole UK (at 1pm, 6pm, 10pm). To what extent do you agree that these programmes taken
together serve you with…
Around eight in ten people agree that BBC UK-wide news and news for Scotland broadcast
together at 1pm, 6pm and 10pm provide them with high quality news and trustworthy daily
news (81%), a good balance of UK, international and Scottish news (80%), and a mix of UK,
international and Scottish news that feels relevant to them (79%).
The BBC News Channel and BBC breakfast shows on network radio are also seen to
achieve this balance of Scottish, UK and international news by three quarters (75%) of
viewers.
2.7.1 BBC Scotland TV News
Most people who watch BBC Scotland’s TV news at 1pm, 6pm and 10pm have a favourable
overall impression of it.
Confidential: For research purposes only 19
36
32
31
22
45
48
47
53
12
8
13
13
5
10
8
9
1
1
1
22
High quality and trustworthy dailynews?
A good balance of UK,international and Scottish news?
A mix of UK, international andScottish news that feels relevant
to me?
…provides you with a good balance of UK, international and
Scottish news?
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base Q14: All who watch UK-wide news (217)
Base Q14x: All who use BBC News Channel/BBC Breakfast on network radio (219)
Agree
81%
79%
80%
Q14. The BBC’s television news for Scotland is provided on BBC1 alongside news for the whole UK (at 1pm,
6pm, 10pm). To what extent do you agree that these programmes taken together serve you with…
75%
Q14x. To what extent do you agree that BBC News Channel/BBC Breakfast on Network Radio…
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Q15. Thinking about BBC Scotland’s TV news, within the UK wide broadcasts, what is your
overall impression?
More than six in ten (64%) are favourable towards BBC Scotland TV news, one third (33%)
feels neutral on the matter and just 3% of people have an unfavourable impression of the
service.
The majority of viewers also feel that BBC Scotland TV news is informative, high quality and
relevant.
Q17. BBC Scotland’s television news programmes are…
Eight in ten people (81%) find BBC Scotland TV news informative, seven in ten (71%) say it
feels relevant and is high quality (69%) and over six in ten (64%) agree it is engaging. Four
in ten (40%) agree that it offers something different to other providers, but a similar number
(41%) say they neither agree nor disagree with this statement, suggesting there is room for
this service to make itself more distinctive.
BBC Scotland’s TV news scores fairly highly across its main performance measures. Three
quarters of people (76%) agree that it provides accurate and up-to-date news and seven in
ten feel that it offers high quality independent news (71%), that it represents Scotland (70%),
and that it gives them a better understanding of news and topical issues in Scotland (70%).
Confidential: For research purposes only 24
4% 7% 7% 15% 30% 13% 21%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BBC Scotland TV news Q15
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
3%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
64%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
33%
Mean:
7.7
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All who watch UK-wide news (217)
Q15. Thinking about BBC Scotland’s TV news, within the UK wide broadcasts, what is your overall impression?
Confidential: For research purposes only 23
BBC Scotland TV NewsQ17. BBC Scotland’s television news programmes are…
30
23
26
19
13
51
49
43
45
27
12
19
21
25
41
5
6
6
7
13
1
1
2
2
3
1
3
2
2
3
…informative
…relevant to me
…high-quality
…engaging
…different from other providers
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who watch BBC Scotland’s television news (408)
Agree
81%
71%
69%
64%
40%
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Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Scotland’s television news… – Performance Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Scotland’s television news…? - Importance
As shown in the chart above, BBC Scotland is currently performing best in the areas
considered most important by viewers, but has performance gaps of between -12 and -15.
Similar performance gaps can be seen on measures such as relating national and
international news to the viewer’s region and helping them to understand politics and
decision-making in Scotland, although these are viewed as being slightly less important than
other measures previously mentioned.
Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Scotland’s television news… – Performance Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Scotland’s television news…? - Importance
In the provision of online content, both in general and specifically on social media, BBC
Scotland TV news is performing beyond expectations, resulting in performance gaps of +14
and +5 respectively. This is largely due to the low importance attributed to the provision of
online content and social media (37% and 32% respectively).
Confidential: For research purposes only 22
76%
88%
71%
86%
70%
84%
70%
82%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Scotland News (1 of 2)
Base: All who watch BBC Scotland’s television news (408)
Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that… - Importance
…gives me a better
understanding of news and
topical issues in Scotland
…provides accurate and up-
to-date news
…represents Scotland
-12
-15
-14
-12
…provides high-quality,
independent news
Gap
Confidential: For research purposes only 23
66%
80%
64%
77%
51%
37%
37%
32%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Scotland News (2 of 2)
Base: All who watch BBC Scotland’s television news (408)
Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Scotland News… - Importance
…provides additional content on
social media such as Facebook
and Twitter
…relates national and
international news to my region
…provides content online e.g.
video clips
-14
-13
+14
+5
…helps me understand
politics and decision-making in
Scotland
Gap
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2.7.2 BBC Scotland’s TV current affairs/political programmes
TV current affairs programmes on BBC Scotland are considered favourably by just under
half of viewers (49%). Four in ten (40%) feel neutral about these programmes and one in ten
(10%) has an unfavourable impression.
Q19. Thinking about BBC Scotland’s current affairs/political programmes on TV, what is your
overall impression?
These programmes score fairly well in their main performance metrics. Almost eight in ten
(78%) agree they are informative and around seven in ten feel they are high quality (72%),
relevant (70%) and engaging (68%).
Q20. BBC Scotland’s current affairs/political programmes are…
BBC Scotland TV current affairs programming scores highly in certain areas, with eight in
ten agreeing that it covers a wide range of topics and subject matter (82%), and provides
viewers with political analysis (80%). These measures also show small performance gaps,
showing that BBC Scotland is meeting its audience’s needs in these areas.
Confidential: For research purposes only 29
6% 3%3% 8% 4% 25% 25% 10% 15%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BBC Scotland CA/pol Q19
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
10%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
49%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
40%
Mean:
7.1
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All who watch BBC Current affairs programming (135)
Q19. Thinking about BBC Scotland’s current affairs/political programmes on TV, what is your overall impression?
Confidential: For research purposes only 25
BBC Scotland TV Current AffairsQ20. BBC Scotland’s current affairs/political programmes are…
34
28
23
25
44
44
48
43
10
13
17
17
4
6
6
6
6
7
5
7
2
2
2
2
…informative
…high-quality
…relevant to me
…engaging
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who watch BBC current affairs programming (135)
Agree
78%
72%
70%
68%
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Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC current affairs programming… – Performance Q21b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC current affairs programming…? - Importance
Fewer than eight in ten (77%) also agree that these programmes cover the important
political stories in Scotland, but the extremely high importance score for this measure (90%
of people feel this is important) results in a medium-sized gap of -13. Seven in ten (72%) feel
that BBC Scotland TV current affairs programmes give them a better understanding of
topical issues in Scotland.
Seven in ten respondents agree that these programmes are relevant (71%), that they
explain complex issues (70%) and that they investigate and scrutinise issues and institutions
(70%). Two in three feel that these programmes reflect local issues and concerns (65%).
Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC current affairs programming… – Performance Q21b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC current affairs
programming…? - Importance
Although a majority of viewers (60%) agree that BBC Scotland TV current affairs
programmes hold decision makers in Scotland to account, this measure also has the largest
performance gap (-21).
Confidential: For research purposes only 26
82%
83%
80%
86%
77%
90%
72%
86%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
…gives me a better
understanding of topical
issues in Scotland
Base: All who watch BBC Current affairs programming (135)
Gap
-14
-1
-6
-13
…covers a wide range of
topics and subject matter
…provides political analysis
…covers the important
political stories in Scotland
BBC Scotland TV Current Affairs (1 of 2)Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q21b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that… - Importance
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2.8 BBC Scotland News Online
A majority of those who use BBC Scotland news online hold a favourable impression of the
service overall (56%). Fewer than four in ten (39%) are neutral and just 3% say they have a
negative impression.
Q23. Thinking about BBC Scotland news online, what is your overall impression on a scale of
1 to 10?
Three quarters (74%) of people who claim to use BBC Scotland News online or the BBC
Scotland pages on the BBC News app access them via a desktop computer or laptop and
just under half (47%) say they do so via a smartphone. Tablets are used by three in ten
(30%) and slightly over one in ten (12%) say they use a connected TV.
Q22. How do you tend to access the BBC Scotland news online?
BBC Scotland News online scores fairly highly on several of its key performance metrics.
More than eight in ten users (82%) agree that BBC Scotland news online is informative and
almost three quarters (74%) feel it is relevant. Seven in ten (70%) feel it is high quality and
more than six in ten (62%) agree that it provides the right amount of news for their area.
Confidential: For research purposes only 34
5% 8% 7% 19% 34% 12% 10%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BBC Scotland news online
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
3%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
56%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
39%
Mean:
7.4
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All who use BBC Scotland online/BBC Scotland pages on the BBC News app (221)
Q23. Thinking about BBC Scotland new online, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
Confidential: For research purposes only 29
Accessing BBC Scotland News onlineQ22. How do you tend to access the BBC Scotland news online?
Base: All who use BBC Scotland online/BBC Scotland pages on the BBC News app (221)
74%
47%
30%
12%
<1%
Via desktop computer/laptop
Via smartphone
Via tablet
Through a connected TV
Other
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Q24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement that BBC Scotland news
online…
BBC Scotland news online also scores well in other areas: almost eight in ten (78%) agree
that it provides them with up-to-date news about Scotland and over seven in ten (72%) say it
feels relevant. However, there is a significant performance gap in the provision of high
quality, independent news – although almost seven in ten people (69%) feel BBC Scotland
news online does provide this, it has a very high importance score of 91%, leaving a
performance gap of -22.
Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Scotland news online… – Performance Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Scotland news online…?
- Importance
Performance gaps in other areas, especially in the provision of clear links to other local
media and information providers, are relatively low, as shown in the chart below.
Confidential: For research purposes only 30
BBC Scotland News OnlineQ24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement? BBC Scotland news online…
30
25
29
18
51
49
41
44
12
16
21
20
3
6
5
12
1
2
2
4
2
2
2
2
...is informative
…is relevant to me
…is high-quality
…provides the right amount of news for my area
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who use BBC Scotland online/BBC Scotland pages on the BBC News app (221)
Agree
82%
74%
70%
62%
Confidential: For research purposes only 31
BBC Scotland news online (1 of 2)
78%
92%
72%
86%
69%
91%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Gap
-14
-14
-22
…is relevant to me
…provides me with up to
date news about Scotland
…provides high quality,
independent news
Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Scotland news online…
Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Scotland news online…
Base: All who use BBC Scotland online/BBC Scotland pages on the BBC News app (221)
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Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Scotland news online… – Performance Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Scotland news online…?
- Importance
2.9 Gaelic language services
When asked about their level of Gaelic comprehension, more than nine in ten (94%) of
respondents said they cannot understand any Gaelic. The results are shown in the chart
below.
QA. Can you understand, speak, read or write Gaelic?
As highlighted in section 2.3, only 6% of respondents claim to use the BBC’s Gaelic services
in Scotland, with 5% claiming to watch BBC Alba programming and 2% saying they listen to
BBC Radio nan Gàidheal. These samples are too small to confidently analyse.
Confidential: For research purposes only 32
66%
78%
51%
58%
50%
61%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Gap
-12
-7
-11
…provides clear links to
other local media and
information providers
…provides information of
local interest, such as
sport, culture/arts and
events
…sources or shares
content with other providers
of local information
Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Scotland news online…
Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Scotland news online…
BBC Scotland news online (2 of 2)
Base: All who use BBC Scotland online/BBC Scotland pages on the BBC News app (221)
Confidential: For research purposes only 3
Gaelic Speaking QA. Can you understand, speak, read or write Gaelic?
Base: All respondents in Scotland (502)
4%
2%
2%
2%
94%
Understand spoken Gaelic
Speak Gaelic
Read Gaelic
Write Gaelic
Cannot understand any Gaelic
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 31
3. Wales
3.1 Overall favourability towards the BBC in Wales
Almost six in ten people in Wales (58%) have a favourable overall impression of the BBC,
with 14% giving it a score of ten out of ten. Just over one third of people (35%) are neutral
and 6% say they hold a negative impression of the BBC overall.
Q4. Thinking about the BBC generally, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
These figures are fairly consistent across all age groups, but there is some variation
according to socio-economic group, in particular, DEs (45%) who are less likely to have a
favourable opinion than ABs (63%), C1s (65%) or C2s (63%).
3.2 Serving audiences in Wales
Over seven in ten people in Wales (72%) feel that the BBC serves audiences in Wales well,
with just under a quarter (24%) saying it does this ‘very well’. Fewer than two in ten people
(17%) feel the BBC neither does this neither well nor badly, and fewer than one in ten (7%)
say the BBC does not serve audiences in Wales well.
Confidential: For research purposes only 42
3%3% 9% 7% 16% 26% 19% 14%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
6%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
58%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
35%
Mean:
7.4
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All respondents in Wales (500)
Overall Impression of the BBC in WalesQ4. Thinking about the BBC generally, what is your overall impression?
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 32
Q5. How well does the BBC as a whole serve audiences specifically in Wales?
There is no significant variation by age or gender, though there is some difference across
socio-economic groups. Those in the C2 group are generally the most positive with almost
eight in ten (78%) saying the BBC serves audiences in Wales well and four in ten (40%)
saying ‘very well’, compared with an average of two in ten (20%) across the other three
groups. This finding could be explained by the claimed use of different services among
different social grades. Those in a C2 social grade are significantly more likely to claim to
use Welsh language services; one in five (19%) C2 respondents say they use these services
compared to 7% of C1 respondents and 9% of DE respondents. Those in the C2 social
grade group are also significantly more likely to say that they listen to BBC Radio Wales
compared to other groups (37% compared to 21%-27% for other groups).
3.3 Claimed use of news in Wales
The most popular means by which people claim to use news and information for Wales is
television, used by more than eight in ten people (85%). More than half (55%) also say they
use local newspapers while just under half (49%) use internet sites, apps, or blogs. Four in
ten (41%) also say they listen to local radio stations and a similar number use social media
sites (39%).
Confidential: For research purposes only 44
24%
48%
17%
BBC in Wales
Very well Quite well Neither well nor not well Not very well Not well at all
Base: All respondents in Wales (500)
TOTAL:
Well 72%
TOTAL:
Not well 7%
How well BBC serves WalesQ5.How well does the BBC as a whole serve audiences specifically in Wales?
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 33
Q1. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use to access news and information for Wales?
As in the other nations, social media is much more commonly claimed as a source for news
by younger people. Almost two thirds (64%) of 16-34s say they access news and information
for Wales on social media sites, compared with fewer than two in ten of the over 55s. Those
aged 16-34 are also greater users of news websites, apps and blogs, although the difference
is not as pronounced when compared with over 55s. Over four in ten of those aged 55 and
over (41%) say they use these mediums, compared to over five in ten (56%) of the 16-34s.
BBC Wales TV news is the most commonly used BBC source for Welsh news and current
affairs, with more than eight in ten (83%) claiming to watch it. More than a third also say they
use BBC Wales news online (36%) and watch BBC Wales current affairs and political
programmes on TV (35%). Just over a quarter (27%) say they listen to BBC Radio Wales
and just over two in ten use BBC social media channels (23%). Over one in ten say they use
the BBC Wales pages on the BBC News app (15%) and listen to BBC Radio Cymru (12%),
with just 7% saying they do not use any BBC sources at all.
Q2. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use the BBC for UK and Welsh news and
current affairs?
Confidential: For research purposes only 36
Accessing Welsh newsQ1. Which, if any, of the following ways do you access news and information for Wales?
Base: All respondents in Wales (500)
85%
55%
49%
41%
39%
3%
TV (e.g. local or regional news bulletins on BBC One or ITV)
Local newspapers
Internet sites, apps or blogs (not inc. social media)
Local radio stations (e.g. BBC, commercial or community radio)
Social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
Other sources of local news
Confidential: For research purposes only 37
Using the BBC for Welsh newsQ2. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use the BBC for UK and Welsh news and current affairs?
Base: All respondents in Wales (500)
83%
36%
35%
27%
23%
15%
12%
7%
2%
BBC Wales TV news (e.g. regional news bulletins on BBC One)
BBC Wales news online
Wales current affairs/political programmes on TV
BBC Radio Wales
Social media (e.g. your BBC Wales or BBC Radio Wales/Cymru onFacebook or Twitter)
BBC Wales pages on the BBC News App
BBC Radio Cymru
None of the above
Other
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 34
BBC Wales TV news is particularly popular with older viewers and is watched by more than
nine in ten people aged over 55 (92%). Younger people say they favour online sources, with
over half of 25-34 year olds saying they use BBC Wales news online (53%) and BBC social
media (49%).
3.4 Types of Welsh news and information consumed –
unprompted
As in Scotland, when asked (unprompted) what types of Welsh or national news they
consume on a typical weekday, people in Wales mention a variety of different sources. Most
give multiple news sources and say that their media consumption does not vary significantly
on different days.
'There is no difference to the way I access national or local news over the weekend. I have bulletins
sent from the BBC via email, then I access news stories from there. I also have the BBC weather app
for the local weather and any warnings therein. I also sometimes watch both national and local BBC
news occasionally on the television. Very rarely do I listen to the news on the radio.’
(Female, 55-64)
'I read news on BBC online for south east Wales daily, almost but not every day Welsh evening news
either on ITV or BBC Wales, and occasionally Wales This Week on television. Also sometimes
someone will post a news item on Facebook.’
(Female, 65 and over)
Some mention specific information, such as traffic and weather updates that they get from
more locally-focused news sites.
'The local news, sports as well. Check the weather forecast as well. It's the same for weekend and
weekdays.’
(Male, 65 and over)
‘'I listen to BBC Radio Wales on the hour and mainly for weather condition and traffic.’
(Female, 55-64)
Other people say they consume less local news at weekends. For some, this is because
they are either busier or less interested, while others suggest there is less local or Welsh
news available at the weekend.
‘I read the Welsh news on my BBC news app and I follow the pages on Facebook and Twitter. I
probably pay less attention to the news over the weekends.’
(Female, 25-34)
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 35
‘I probably look for Welsh news a little more during the week, but not much. I think there is less Welsh
news on a weekend, unless there's rugby on!’
(Female, 35-44)
'It does not differ when it comes to TV news, however it does annoy me that the Welsh news is given
little time on weekends. Local news is just that local news just to my bit of Wales. Internet news the
same, even on so called dedicated sites.’
(Male, 55-64)
3.5 Reasons for not using the BBC for news about Wales
Of the relatively small number of respondents who say they do not use any of the BBC’s
services for Welsh news or current affairs, a common reason was lack of interest in Welsh-
specific news, or news in general. A small minority object to BBC coverage or prefer the
style of other broadcasters.
'I am not really interested in the news.’
(Female, 16-24)
'I am not generally interested in Welsh affairs.’
(Female, 16-24)
‘The BBC is politically left wing.’
(Female, 65 and over)
3.6 BBC Radio Wales
Overall, listeners of BBC Radio Wales have a very favourable impression of the station.
More than six in ten (63%) say they have a favourable view, more than three in ten (36%)
are neutral and less than 1% expressed a negative view.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 36
Q7. Thinking about BBC Radio Wales, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
The most commonly claimed programmes on BBC Radio Wales are news bulletins (67%)
and breakfast news (66%). Over four in ten say they listen to daytime talk and discussion
shows (45%), sports coverage (44%) and music programmes (43%).
Q8. Please select all the kinds of programming that you listen to on BBC Radio Wales
Around one quarter of listeners say they tune in for comedy programmes (26%),
documentaries (24%) and drama (24%). Two in ten (20%) also listen to arts and culture
programming.
Among listeners, BBC Radio Wales is well regarded, and a large majority agrees that it
provides informative, high quality and entertaining programmes that distinguish it from other
stations.
Confidential: For research purposes only 37
4% 8% 24% 32% 11% 19%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
*
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
63%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
36%
Mean:
7.9
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
Overall Impression of BBC Radio WalesQ7. Thinking about BBC Radio Wales, what is your overall impression?
Confidential: For research purposes only 39
Programming on BBC Radio WalesQ8. Please select all of the kinds of programming that you listen to on BBC Radio Wales
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
67%
66%
45%
44%
43%
26%
24%
24%
20%
4%
News bulletins throughout the day
Breakfast news
Daytime talk and discussion programmes
Sports coverage
Music programmes
Comedy
Documentaries
Drama
Arts and culture
Other
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 37
Q9. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio
Wales…
Almost nine in ten listeners (88%) agree that BBC Radio Wales is informative and more than
eight in ten feel that it provides high quality programming (84%), which is also entertaining
(83%). Almost three quarters of listeners (73%) agree that BBC Radio Wales is distinctive
compared with other radio stations.
In Wales, despite the small base sizes involved, there is also a general trend that can be
observed when comparing different age groups. Generally, those aged 16-34 are the most
positive and express the most favourable views, while those aged 35-54 are more frequently
dissatisfied, often giving the lowest scores. More detail can be found in Appendix 6.
3.6.1 BBC Radio Wales: News
BBC Radio Wales News is seen to be performing well across all of its performance metrics,
resulting in very small performance gaps and suggesting that the station is successfully
meeting listeners’ needs and expectations.
Almost nine in ten listeners agree that the station provides high quality news (89%) with
more than eight in ten saying it gives them a better understanding of news and topical issues
in Wales (86%), and that it has the right balance of serious and lighter news stories (83%).
Confidential: For research purposes only 40
BBC Radio WalesQ9. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Wales…
49
37
37
37
39
48
45
36
9
10
14
23
1
4
1
4
1
2
2
1
1
…is informative
…provides high quality programming
…has programmes that are entertaining
…is distinctive compared with other radio stations
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
Agree
88%
84%
83%
73%
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 38
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Wales… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Wales…? –
Importance
Around eight in ten listeners also agree that BBC Radio Wales gives them a better
understanding of news and topical issues in the UK (80%) and that the station helps them to
understand what is happening in the wider world, such as international news and events
(78%). Although these two measures have the largest performance gaps for this section, at -
4 and -5 respectively they are still very low.
3.6.2 BBC Radio Wales: Politics and Sport
BBC Radio Wales has relatively small performance gaps across its other performance
measures, suggesting the station is seen to be meeting the needs of its listeners.
In the field of politics, almost three quarters of listeners (74%) agree that BBC Radio Wales
helps them to understand politics in Wales and around seven in ten (69%) say that it helps
them to understand UK-wide politics.
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Wales… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Wales…? –
Importance
Confidential: For research purposes only 41
89%
89%
86%
85%
83%
85%
80%
84%
78%
83%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Wales: News
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
-5
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
…gives me a better understanding
of news and topical issues in
Wales
…gives me a better understanding
of news and topical issues in the
UK
…provides high quality news
-4
-
-2
+1
…has the right balance of serious
and lighter news stories
…helps me to understand what’s
going on in the wider world, such
as international news and events
Gap
Confidential: For research purposes only 42
74%
78%
69%
74%
77%
68%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Wales: Politics & SportQ10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
…helps me understand UK-wide
politics
…provides coverage of a variety of
sport
…helps me understand politics in
Wales-4
+9
-5
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
Sport
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 39
When it comes to sport, almost eight in ten (77%) agree that the station provides coverage
of a variety of sport and two thirds (68%) ranked this as important, resulting in a positive
performance gap of +9.
3.6.3 BBC Radio Wales: Cultural broadcasting
In cultural programming, the station is also seen to be performing well, with around three
quarters of listeners agreeing that BBC Radio Wales supports arts and culture in Wales
(76%), that the station introduces them to new presenters, performers and artists from Wales
(75%), and that it supports Welsh music (74%).
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Wales… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Wales…? –
Importance
3.6.4 BBC Radio Wales: Representation
More than eight in ten listeners say that the station provides content and programming that
caters for the population of Wales (85%) and that it highlights important social issues (84%).
Fewer than eight in ten (79%) also agree that they hear a range of voices from around
Wales on the station, and all of these measures have consistently small performance gaps.
Confidential: For research purposes only 43
76%
71%
75%
74%
74%
79%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Wales: CultureQ10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that…? - Importance
... supports arts and culture
in Wales
...introduces me to new
presenters, performers and
artists from Wales
...supports Welsh music -5
+5
+1
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 40
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Wales… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Wales…? –
Importance
BBC Radio Wales is generally seen to perform well in terms of reflecting listeners’ local
interests and concerns (77%) and the diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Wales
(65%). However, it records a slightly larger performance gap when it comes to portraying
listeners’ cultures or communities. While two thirds (67%) agree that the station is good at
portraying their particular culture or community, almost eight in ten (78%) ranked this
measure as important, resulting in the largest gap for any of these measures (-11). This
could therefore be a possible area of improvement for the future.
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Wales… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Wales…? –
Importance
3.6.5 Listener participation on BBC Radio Wales
Generally, listeners are satisfied with the amount of listener participation on BBC Radio
Wales. Seven in ten (70%) feel that the current level is just right, fewer than two in ten (16%)
think there is not enough listener participation, and less than one in ten (6%) feel that there
is too much.
Confidential: For research purposes only 44
85%
84%
84%
84%
79%
77%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Wales: Representation (1 of 2)Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
…provides content and
programming that caters for the
population of Wales
…highlights to me important
social issues
When listening to BBC Radio
Wales, I hear a range of voices
from around Wales
+2
+1
-
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
Confidential: For research purposes only 45
77%
82%
67%
78%
65%
71%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
…reflects the diverse faiths,
cultures and communities of
Wales
…is good at portraying my
particular culture or community
to other people in Wales
…reflects my local interests and
concerns
-6
-5
-11
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
BBC Radio Wales: Representation (2 of 2)Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 41
Q11a. Would you say that there is too much, just the right amount, or not enough listener
participation on BBC Radio Wales?
3.6.6 BBC Radio Wales’ website
A majority of people who listen to BBC Radio Wales also use the station’s website and most
of them have a favourable impression. Over half of all listeners (55%) say they use the site,
and almost four in ten (37%) have a favourable overall impression. Fewer than two in ten
(17%) say they feel neutral about it, and just 1% has an unfavourable view.
Q12. Thinking about BBC Radio Wales’s website, what is your overall impression?
Confidential: For research purposes only 46
Listener participation on BBC Radio WalesQ11a. Would you say that there is too much, just the right amount, or not enough listener participation on BBC
Radio Wales?
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
8%
16%
70%
6%
Listener participation
Too much
Just enough
Not enough
Don't know
Confidential: For research purposes only 47
BBC Radio Wales’s websiteQ12. Thinking about BBC Radio Wales’s website, what is your overall impression?
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
5%
39%
37%
17%
1%
BBC Radio Wales's Website
Unfavourable (1-3)
Neutral (4-7)
Favourable (8-10)
Do not use the BBC Radio Wales'swebsite
Didn't know BBC Radio Wales hada website
55% using
the website
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 42
3.7 BBC Radio Cymru
Listeners to BBC Radio Cymru also say they are broadly satisfied with the station and six in
ten (59%) have a favourable overall impression of the service.
Q7a. Thinking about BBC Radio Cymru, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
More than one third of listeners (37%) feel neutral about BBC Radio Cymru and just 2%
have a negative overall impression. However, the base size for those saying they listen to
BBC Radio Cymru (58) is too small to permit any further analysis.
3.8 BBC Wales Television News and Current Affairs
The most commonly watched programmes in the news and current affairs offer are Wales
Today, with claimed viewing by seven in ten viewers (70%), and the UK wide news at 6pm
and 10pm and the BBC News channel, which are both seen by almost six in ten adults
(57%).
Q13. Which, if any, of BBC Wales’s TV news or current affairs/political programmes do you
tend to watch?
Confidential: For research purposes only 59
2% 16% 20% 22% 18% 18%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
2%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
59%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
37%
Mean:
7.9
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Cymru (58)
Overall Impression of BBC Radio CymruQ7a. Thinking about BBC Radio Cymru, what is your overall impression?
Confidential: For research purposes only 49
Using BBC Wales TV News/Current AffairsQ13. Which, if any, of BBC Wales’s TV news or current affairs/political programmes do you tend to watch?
Base: All who use BBC Wales television news or current affairs (431)
70%
57%
57%
30%
23%
22%
12%
5%
5%
Wales Today
UK Wide News e.g. BBC News at Six; BBC News at Ten
BBC News Channel
Week In Week Out
The Wales Report
BBC Breakfast on Network Radio e.g. Radio 4's TodayProgramme or Radio 5 Live
Sunday Politics Wales
Don't watch BBC Wales's news or current affairs programmes
Other
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 43
Among those who claim to watch any BBC Wales television news or current affairs
programmes, three in ten also claim to watch Week In Week Out (30%), and more than two
in ten say they watch The Wales Report (23%) and listen to BBC Breakfast on network radio
(22%). Just over one in ten (12%) say they watch Sunday Politics Wales.
Generally, viewers are happy with the quality and reliability of the news for Wales and the
UK wide news bulletins, and with the balance of stories available.
Nine in ten (89%) agree that the UK and Welsh news shown on BBC1 at 1pm, 6pm and
10pm provide high quality and trustworthy stories. More than eight in ten agree that there is
a good balance between stories from Wales, the rest of the UK, and the wider world (83%),
and that the mix of news stories is relevant (81%).
Q14. The BBC’s television news for Wales is provided on BBC1 alongside news for the whole
UK (at 1pm, 6pm, 10pm). To what extent do you agree that these programmes taken together
serve you with…
More than three quarters of those who watch the BBC News channel and/or listen to BBC
Breakfast on network radio (76%) also agree that these services provide them with a good
balance of UK, international, and Welsh news stories.
3.8.1 BBC Wales TV news
Overall, the majority of people who claim to watch BBC Wales TV news have a favourable
impression of the Welsh news that is shown alongside the UK-wide bulletin at 1pm, 6pm and
10pm. Just under two thirds of viewers (64%) have a favourable impression, a third is neutral
(34%) and just 2% has an unfavourable impression.
Confidential: For research purposes only 50
TV News & Current AffairsQ14. BBC1 Welsh and UK News. Q14x. BBC News Channel/BBC Breakfast on Network Radio
43
35
38
31
46
48
43
44
8
11
12
16
3
5
7
5 3
1
1
High quality and trustworthy dailynews?
A good balance of UK,international and Welsh news?
A mix of UK, international andWelsh news that feels relevant to
me?
…provides you with a good balance of UK, international and
Welsh news?
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base Q14: All who use UK wide news (254)
Base Q14x: All who use BBC News Channel or BBC Breakfast on network radio (262).
Agree
89%
81%
83%
Q14. The BBC’s television news for Wales is provided on BBC1 alongside news for the whole UK (at 1pm, 6pm, 10pm).
To what extent do you agree that these programmes taken together serve you with…
76%
Q14x. To what extent do you agree that BBC News Channel/BBC Breakfast on Network Radio…
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 44
Q15. Thinking about BBC Wales’s TV news, within the UK wide broadcasts, what is your
overall impression?
A large majority of viewers agree that BBC Wales television news programmes are
informative (82%), high quality (75%) and relevant (72%). Just under seven in ten (68%) say
the programmes are engaging and half (51%) feel they are different from those available
from other providers.
Q17. BBC Wales’s television news programmes are…
BBC Wales television news is generally seen to perform well across its performance
measures, with only small performance gaps. More than eight in ten viewers agree that it
provides accurate and up-to-date news (82%) and more than seven in ten feel that it
represents Wales (77%), that it gives them a better understanding of news and topical
issues in Wales (77%), and that it provides high quality, independent news (75%). At -11,
this last measure has the largest performance gap for BBC Wales TV news.
Confidential: For research purposes only 63
4% 7% 21% 31% 14% 18%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BBC WalesTV news Q15
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
2%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
64%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
34%
Mean:
7.8
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All who watch UK-wide news (254)
Q15. Thinking about BBC Wales’ TV news, within the UK wide broadcasts, what is your overall impression?
Confidential: For research purposes only 52
BBC Wales TV NewsQ17. BBC Wales’s television news programmes are…
37
35
28
24
22
45
41
44
44
30
13
17
19
22
34
3
5
6
6
8
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
4
...informative
...high quality
…relevant to me
…engaging
…different from other providers
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who watch BBC Wales’s television news (422)
Agree
82%
75%
72%
68%
51%
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 45
Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Wales’s television news… – Performance Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Wales’s television
news…? – Importance
Similar gaps (of -10) were recorded for relating national and international news to viewers’
regions (71% agree BBC Wales TV news does this) and for helping viewers understand
politics and decision-making in Wales (67% agree). In some areas relating to online content
and the use of social media, BBC Wales is exceeding viewers’ expectations.
Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Wales’s television news… – Performance Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Wales’s television
news…? – Importance
Confidential: For research purposes only 53
82%
88%
77%
81%
77%
83%
75%
86%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Wales TV News (1 of 2)
Base: All who watch BBC Wales’s television news (422)
Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that… - Importance
…gives me a better
understanding of news and
topical issues in Wales
…provides accurate and up-
to-date news
…represents Wales
-6
-4
-6
-11…provides high-quality,
independent news
Gap
Confidential: For research purposes only 54
71%
81%
67%
77%
52%
43%
38%
33%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Wales TV News (2 of 2)
Base: All who watch BBC Wales’s television news (422)
Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Wales News… - Importance
…provides additional content on
social media such as Facebook
and Twitter
…relates national and
international news to my region
…provides content online e.g.
video clips
-10
-10
+9
+5
…helps me understand
politics and decision-making in
Wales
Gap
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 46
3.8.2 BBC Wales TV Current Affairs/Political programmes
A majority of viewers have a positive overall impression of BBC Wales current affairs and
political programming. Six in ten view it favourably (61%), more than three in ten are neutral
(35%) and just 2% have a negative impression of these programmes.
Q19. Thinking about BBC Wales’s current affairs/political programmes on TV, what is your
overall impression?
Nearly nine in ten viewers say current affairs and political programmes are informative (88%)
and over eight in ten saying they are high quality (82%). Three quarters of viewers also
agree these programmes are relevant to them, and that they are engaging (both 75%).
Q20. BBC Wales’s current affairs/political programmes are…
While most people agree that BBC Wales TV current affairs programmes give them a better
understanding of topical issues in Wales (81%); that they investigate and scrutinise issues
and institutions (79%); and that they reflect local issues and concerns (78%), the high
importance that viewers attribute to these areas means all three have performance gaps of -
11 or greater.
Confidential: For research purposes only 68
2%3% 5% 9% 18% 31% 14% 16%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
2%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
61%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
35%
Mean:
7.7
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All who watch BBC Current affairs programming (185)
Overall Impression of BBC Wales TV Current AffairsQ19. Thinking about BBC Wales’s current affairs/political programmes on TV, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
Confidential: For research purposes only 56
BBC Wales TV Current AffairsQ20. BBC Wales’s current affairs/political programmes are…
39
34
31
29
49
47
44
46
8
14
16
14
1
1
4
7
2
1
1
2
1
1
3
3
…informative
…high-quality
…relevant to me
…engaging
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who watch BBC current affairs programming (185)
Agree
88%
82%
75%
75%
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
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Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC current affairs programming… – Performance Q21b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC current affairs
programming…? – Importance
There are also larger performance gaps when it comes to covering a wide range of topics
and subject matter (-14), feeling relevant to viewers (-15) and explaining complex issues (-
16). The greatest shortfall, however, is in relation to holding decision makers in Wales to
account. While close to two thirds (65%) agree that programmes already do this, a greater
number (88%) believe it is important, resulting in a performance gap of -23. This could
therefore be a key area for future improvement.
Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC current affairs programming… – Performance Q21b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC current affairs
programming…? – Importance
Confidential: For research purposes only 57
BBC Wales TV Current Affairs (1 of 2)
83%
88%
81%
92%
79%
92%
78%
90%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
…gives me a better
understanding of topical
issues in Wales
Base: All who watch BBC Current affairs programming (185)
Gap
-12
-5
-11
-13
Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Q21b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that BBC Wales’s current affairs/political programmes…?
…covers the important
political stories in Wales
…investigates and scrutinises
issues and institutions
…reflects local issues and
concerns
Confidential: For research purposes only 58
77%
91%
75%
83%
72%
87%
71%
87%
65%
88%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
…explains complex issues
…holds decision makers in
Wales to account
…are relevant to me
Base: All who watch BBC Current affairs programming (185)
Gap
-23
-14
-15
-8
-16
…covers a wide range of
topics and subject matter
…provides political analysis
BBC Wales TV Current Affairs (2 of 2)Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Q21b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that BBC Wales’s current affairs/political programmes…?
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 48
3.9 BBC Wales News Online
Users of BBC Wales news online generally view the service positively. Over six in ten (62%)
have a favourable overall impression, over three in ten (36%) are neutral, and 1% has an
unfavourable impression.
Q23. Thinking about BBC Wales news online, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to
10?
The most popular way to access BBC Wales news online is on a desktop computer or
laptop, claimed by almost eight in ten users (79%). Fewer than four in ten (39%) claim to use
a smartphone and slightly fewer (35%) a tablet. Just over one in ten (12%) say they access
this service using a connected TV.
Q22. How do you tend to access the BBC Wales news online?
Users of BBC Wales news online also agree that the service performs well. Nine in ten feel it
is informative (91%), eight in ten say it is relevant to them (83%) and high quality (81%), and
seven in ten feel it provides the right amount of news for their area (71%).
Confidential: For research purposes only 73
5% 9% 22% 31% 17% 14%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
1%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
62%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
36%
Mean:
7.8
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Overall Impression of BBC Wales News OnlineQ23. Thinking about BBC Wales news online, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
Base: All who use BBC Wales news online/BBC Wales pages on the BBC News App (215)
Confidential: For research purposes only 60
Accessing BBC Wales News onlineQ22. How do you tend to access the BBC Wales news online?
Base: All who use BBC Wales news online/BBC Wales pages on the BBC News App (215)
79%
39%
35%
12%
1%
Via desktop computer/laptop
Via smartphone
Via tablet
Through a connected TV
Other
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 49
Q24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement that BBC Wales news
online…
BBC Wales news online appears to meet the needs of its audience. When it comes to
providing users with up to date news about Wales, providing high quality independent news,
and feeling relevant to its users, no performance gap exceeds -8.
Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Wales news online… – Performance Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Wales news online…? -
Importance
BBC Wales news online also scores well in the provision of information of local interest
(performance gap of -4), providing clear links to other local media/information providers (-3),
and sourcing or sharing content with other such providers (-5).
Confidential: For research purposes only 61
BBC Wales News OnlineQ24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement? BBC Wales news online…
43
35
43
31
48
48
39
40
7
15
15
17
1
1
2
9 3 1
...is informative
…is relevant to me
…is high-quality
…provides the right amount of news for my area
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who use BBC Wales news online/BBC Wales pages on the BBC News App (215)
Agree
91%
83%
81%
71%
Confidential: For research purposes only 62
BBC Wales News Online (1 of 2)
89%
90%
82%
90%
79%
85%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Gap
-1
-8
-6…is relevant to me
…provides me with up to
date news about Wales
…provides high quality,
independent news
Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Wales news online…
Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Wales news online…
Base: All who use BBC Wales news online/BBC Wales pages on the BBC News App (215)
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Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Wales news online… – Performance Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Wales news online…? -
Importance
Confidential: For research purposes only 63
79%
83%
66%
69%
65%
70%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Gap
-4
-3
-5
…provides clear links to
other local media and
information providers
…provides information of
local interest, such as
sport, culture/arts and
events
…sources or shares
content with other providers
of local information
BBC Wales News Online (2 of 2)Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Wales news online…
Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Wales news online…
Base: All who use BBC Wales news online/BBC Wales pages on the BBC News App (215)
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
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4. Northern Ireland
4.1 Overall favourability towards the BBC in Northern Ireland
A majority of people in Northern Ireland have a positive overall view of the BBC. More than
half of those surveyed (56%) have a favourable impression, over than a third (35%) is
neutral and fewer than one in ten (8%) have an unfavourable impression.
Q4. Thinking about the BBC generally, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
Those aged 45-54 are significantly more likely to have an unfavourable impression of the
BBC. One in five in this group (20%) say this, compared with an average of just 6% in other
age groups. Views do not however vary significantly by gender or socio-economic grouping.
4.2 Serving audiences in Northern Ireland
Three quarters of people (76%) feel that the BBC as a whole serves audiences in Northern
Ireland well, with one quarter (25%) saying it does this ‘very well’. Just over one in ten are
neutral while a similar number believes the BBC does not do this well (both 11%).
Confidential: For research purposes only 80
4% 5% 11% 6% 13% 25% 16% 15%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
8%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
56%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
35%
Mean:
7.2
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All respondents in Northern Ireland (514)
Overall Impression of the BBC in Northern IrelandQ4. Thinking about the BBC generally, what is your overall impression?
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 52
Q5. How well does the BBC as a whole serve audiences specifically in Northern Ireland?
Older people and those from lower socio-economic groups are more likely to say the BBC
serves Northern Ireland audiences well. More than eight in ten (86%) of those aged over 65
say the BBC does this well, compared with an overall average of 76% and a rating of 67%
(the lowest recorded) among 45-54s. Just over seven in ten ABC1s (73%) think the BBC
serves audiences well in Northern Ireland, compared with eight in ten (80%) of C2DEs.
4.3 Claimed use of news in Northern Ireland
Television is by far the most popular medium for news and information on Northern Ireland,
with claimed use by nine in ten adults (91%). Local radio stations, including the BBC,
commercial and community radio are the second most popular choice, with claimed use by
two thirds of people (66%).
Q1. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use to access news and information for
Northern Ireland?
Confidential: For research purposes only 82
25%
51%
11%
7%
BBC in Northern Ireland
Very well Quite well Neither well nor not well Not very well Not well at all
TOTAL:
Well 76%
TOTAL:
Not well 11%
How well BBC serves Northern IrelandQ5.How well does the BBC as a whole serve audiences specifically in Northern Ireland?
Base: All respondents in Northern Ireland (514)
Confidential: For research purposes only 67
Accessing Northern Irish newsQ1. Which, if any, of the following ways do you access news and information for Northern Ireland?
Base: All respondents in Northern Ireland (514)
91%
66%
58%
56%
47%
2%
TV (e.g. local or regional news bulletins on BBC One or ITV)
Local radio stations (e.g. BBC, commercial or community radio)
Local newspapers
Internet sites, apps or blogs (not inc. social media)
Social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
Other sources of local news
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 53
Fewer than six in ten people say they read local newspapers (58%) or use internet sites,
apps or blogs to access news and information on Northern Ireland (56%). Just under half
(47%) say they use social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
As is generally the case, younger people say they are more regular consumers of online
content than older people: over seven in ten 16-34s say they get their news from internet
sites, apps or blogs (72%) or from social media (74%). Fewer than four in ten (37%) of those
aged 55 and over say that they use websites, apps or blogs for news and just two in ten
(22%) say they use social media. Conversely, local newspapers are read by two thirds of
those aged 55 and over (66%), compared with just over half (52%) of 16-34s.
Of the various sources of BBC news, by far the most widely used is the BBC Northern
Ireland TV news, which has claimed viewing by over eight in ten adults (86%). This is
followed by BBC Northern Ireland news online and current affairs and political programmes
on TV, which have claimed use by more than four in ten adults (45% and 44% respectively).
Q2. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use the BBC for UK and Northern Irish news
and current affairs?
Just under two in five people (37%) say they listen to BBC Radio Ulster and just under one
in three (31%) say they use BBC social media pages. The BBC Northern Ireland pages on
the BBC news app are used by one in six (17%). Fewer respondents listen to BBC Radio
Foyle (9%) and just 4% say they do not use any BBC news sources. Unsurprisingly, those
with an unfavourable view of the BBC are significantly less likely to use its services than
those with a favourable view (12% of those who are unfavourable do not use any BBC
services compared to just 2% who are favourable to the BBC).
4.4 Types of Northern Irish news and information consumed –
unprompted
As in Scotland and Wales, many people report using multiple sources of local news and, in
many cases, their usage does not vary at weekends.
Confidential: For research purposes only 68
Using the BBC for Northern Irish newsQ2. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use the BBC for UK and NI news and current affairs?
Base: All respondents in Northern Ireland (514)
86%
45%
44%
37%
31%
17%
9%
4%
3%
BBC Northern Ireland TV news (e.g. regional news bulletins on BBCOne)
BBC Northern Ireland news online
Northern Ireland current affairs/political programmes on TV
BBC Radio Ulster
Social media (e.g. your BBC Northern Ireland or BBC RadioUlster/Foyle on Facebook or Twitter)
BBC Northern Ireland pages on the BBC News App
BBC Radio Foyle
None of the above
Other
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 54
'I watch the BBC News every morning and that’s where I see the local news for Northern Ireland, I
read the Daily Mail every day and the Sunday Mail every Sunday. I buy the local Belfast Telegraph
every Tuesday and Wednesday and I listen to Radio Foyle in my car radio.’
(Female, 45-54)
‘Mainly my news intake will be from Television news from both BBC and ITV. I also [use] Yahoo news
online, sometimes use BBC local news and I follow ITV news on Facebook. On some occasions I will
also hear news from my local radio station but this is quite rare.’
(Female, 55-64)
'[I] always use the same sources every day; radio news on the hour and the evening news at teatime.’
(Male, 45-54)
However, some people are interested in different things at different times, for example, when
travelling to work they want traffic and transport updates but during the weekend they want
information on sports fixtures.
'Mainly radio updates during the week for general news and sport at the weekends, through TV, radio
and online.’
(Male, 45-54)
'I use the BBC app most days along with the Belfast live website. I tend to listen to the news on Radio
Ulster during the working week as I like to see what traffic disruption might be ongoing.’
(Female, 45-54)
4.5 Reasons for not using the BBC for Northern Ireland news
A small number of people say they do not use any BBC service for news on Northern
Ireland. While some lack interest in the news generally, others have an unfavourable view of
the BBC.
'I do not really follow the news; it is not of interest to me.’
(Male, 25-34)
'[I] prefer UTV; more relaxed when reading news.’
(Female, 65 and over)
'They are a [government] mouthpiece and ALWAYS toe the party line. They DO NOT report the real
news in Northern Ireland.’
(Male, 45-54)
4.6 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
Views on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle are generally positive, with nearly six in ten (57%) saying
they have a favourable overall impression, four in ten saying they feel neutral (40%) and just
3% saying they have an unfavourable impression.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 55
Q7. Thinking about BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to
10?
There is some variation by socio-economic group; under half of ABC1s (48%) have a
favourable impression of the stations, but this rises to over six in ten (64%) C2DEs.
News bulletins are the most listened to programmes on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle attracting
three quarters of listeners (75%). Just under two thirds (64%) listen to the breakfast news
and over half (52%) to the various daytime talk and discussion shows.
Q8. Please select all the kinds of programming that you listen to on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
Over four in ten adults (42%) listen to music programmes; around three in ten to sports
coverage (31%) and comedy programmes (28%); and over two in ten to documentaries
(22%). Fewer than two in ten adults meanwhile listen to arts and culture programmes and
dramas (17% and 12% respectively).
BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle is generally thought to perform well by listeners. Almost nine in ten
(87%) agree that it is informative and more than seven in ten feel it provides high quality
programming (76%), that it is distinctive (75%) and that it offers entertaining programmes
(73%).
Confidential: For research purposes only 68
3% 9% 10% 18% 24% 15% 18%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
3%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
57%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
40%
Mean:
7.6
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194)
Overall Impression of BBC Radio Ulster FoyleQ7. Thinking about BBC Radio Ulster Foyle, what is your overall impression?
Confidential: For research purposes only 69
Programming on BBC Radio Ulster FoyleQ8. Please select all of the kinds of programming that you listen to on BBC Radio Ulster Foyle
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194)
75%
64%
52%
42%
31%
28%
22%
17%
12%
5%
News bulletins throughout the day
Breakfast news
Daytime talk and discussion programmes
Music programmes
Sports coverage
Comedy
Documentaries
Arts and culture
Drama
Other
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 56
Q9. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio
Ulster/Foyle…
Generally speaking, the most positive and favourable views among radio listeners in
Northern Ireland are expressed by older listeners (those aged 55 and above). While the
views of 16-34 year old listeners are often comparable to those of the older audience, the
most negative views tend to be expressed by those in between, aged 35 to 54, although the
small base sizes available should be borne in mind. For more detail, see Appendix 6.
4.6.1 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle: news
Radio Ulster/Foyle has positive scores for news provision, where performance gaps do not
exceed -11. In particular, over 80% of listeners agree that they get a better understanding of
news and topical issues in Northern Ireland from listening to the stations.
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle…? –
Importance
4.6.2 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle: politics and sport
Listeners also feel that the stations perform well in helping them to understand politics in
Northern Ireland, with a performance gap of just -1. The stations also exceed expectations in
the provision of sports coverage, which has a performance gap of +14.
Confidential: For research purposes only 70
BBC Radio Ulster FoyleQ9. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Ulster Foyle…
37
32
30
30
49
44
45
43
10
17
20
18
2
5
4
6
2
1
1
1
1
2
…is informative
…provides high quality programming
…is distinctive compared with other radio stations
…has programmes that are entertaining
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194)
Agree
87%
76%
75%
73%
Confidential: For research purposes only 71
82%
90%
81%
85%
67%
74%
60%
71%
57%
67%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Ulster Foyle: News
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194)
-10
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
…gives me a better understanding
of news and topical issues in
Northern Ireland
…gives me a better understanding
of news and topical issues in the
UK
…provides high quality news
-11
-8
-7
-4
…has the right balance of serious
and lighter news stories
…helps me to understand what’s
going on in the wider world, such
as international news and events
Gap
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 57
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle…? –
Importance
4.6.3 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle: cultural broadcasting
BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle has consistently small performance gaps for cultural programming
and are seen to support Northern Ireland music (+3), introduce listeners to new presenters,
performers and artists from Northern Ireland (+3) and support arts and culture in Northern
Ireland (-2).
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Ulster Foyle… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Ulster Foyle…? –
Importance
4.6.4 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle: Representation
In most areas relating to representation, the stations are seen to meet expectations.
The stations exceed listeners’ expectations of hearing a range of voices from around
Northern Ireland (+14) and score well on highlighting important social issues (-4) and
providing content that caters for the whole population (-5). They are also seen to reflect the
Confidential: For research purposes only 72
69%
70%
50%
60%
69%
55%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Ulster Foyle: Politics & SportQ10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
…helps me understand UK-wide
politics
…provides coverage of a variety of
sport
…helps me understand politics in
Northern Ireland-1
+14
-10
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194)
Sport
Confidential: For research purposes only 73
70%
67%
67%
64%
65%
67%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Ulster Foyle: CultureQ10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that…? - Importance
... supports arts and culture
in Northern Ireland
...introduces me to new
presenters, performers and
artists from Northern Ireland
...supports Northern Irish
music
-2
+3
+3
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194)
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 58
diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Northern Ireland (no gap) and perform
reasonably well in the portrayal of particular cultures or communities (-9).
However, there is a larger gap in perceptions when it comes to reflecting listeners’ local
interests and concerns. While two thirds (65%) feel that the stations do achieve this, it is
considered to be important by more than eight in ten (82%), resulting in a performance gap
of -17 (the largest for all the radio measures).
Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Radio Ulster Foyle… – Performance Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Radio Ulster Foyle…? –
Importance
4.6.5 Listener participation on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle
Listeners are generally satisfied with the amount of audience participation on the stations;
seven in ten (71%) feel the current level is about right, while 10% say there is not enough
and 12% feel there is too much .
Confidential: For research purposes only 74
83%
69%
76%
80%
74%
79%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC Radio Ulster Foyle: Representation (1 of 2)Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
…provides content and
programming that caters for the
population of Northern Ireland
…highlights to me important
social issues
When listening to BBC Radio
Ulster Foyle, I hear a range of
voices from around Northern
Ireland
-5
+14
-4
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194)
Confidential: For research purposes only 75
68%
68%
65%
82%
58%
67%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
…reflects the diverse faiths,
cultures and communities of
Northern Ireland
…is good at portraying my
particular culture or community
to other people in Northern
Ireland
…reflects my local interests and
concerns
-9
-
-17
Gap
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194)
BBC Radio Ulster Foyle: Representation (2 of 2)Q10a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that? - Importance
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Q11a. Would you say that there is too much, just the right amount, or not enough listener
participation on BBC Radio Ulster Foyle?
4.6.6 BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle’s website
Over half of listeners (56%) also say they use the website. While just over one quarter (27%)
has a favourable impression, a similar number is neutral (26%) and 3% has an unfavourable
view.
Q12. Thinking about BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle’s website, what is your overall impression?
4.7 BBC Northern Ireland Television News and Current Affairs
The most widely watched BBC TV news/current affairs programme in Northern Ireland is
BBC Newsline, which is watched by eight in ten viewers (79%). Over half also say they
watch UK wide news (52%) and Spotlight (51%).
Confidential: For research purposes only 76
Listener participation on BBC Radio Ulster FoyleQ11a. Would you say that there is too much, just the right amount, or not enough listener participation on BBC
Radio Ulster Foyle?
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194)
7%
10%
71%
12%
Listener participation
Too much
Just enough
Not enough
Don't know
Confidential: For research purposes only 77
BBC Radio Ulster Foyle’s websiteQ12. Thinking about BBC Radio Ulster Foyle’s website, what is your overall impression?
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194)
3%
40%
27%
26%
3%
BBC Radio Ulster Foyle's Website
Unfavourable (1-3)
Neutral (4-7)
Favourable (8-10)
Do not use the BBC RadioFoyle/Ulster website
Didn't know BBC Radio Foyle/Ulsterhad a website
56% using
the website
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Q13. Which, if any, of BBC Northern Ireland’s TV news or current affairs/political programmes
do you tend to watch?
Just over four in ten viewers say they watch the BBC News channel (41%) and around two
in ten listen to BBC Breakfast on network radio (20%) and watch The View (19%). Just over
one in ten say they watch Stormont Today (12%) and Sunday Politics (11%).
Generally, viewers in Northern Ireland are satisfied with the mix of UK, international and
Northern Ireland news provided by the BBC. More than eight in ten (85%) agree that the
BBC One news programmes at 1pm, 6pm and 10pm provides a good balance of stories on
Northern Ireland, the UK and the rest of the world. The same number agrees that the stories
are relevant and 82% considers them to be high quality and trustworthy.
A further eight in ten (80%) consider that the BBC News channel, and BBC Breakfast on
network radio provide the same good balance of news stories.
Q14. The BBC’s television news for Northern Ireland is provided on BBC1 alongside news for
the whole UK (at 1pm, 6pm, 10pm). To what extent do you agree that these programmes taken
together serve you with…
4.7.1 BBC Northern Ireland television News
Two thirds (66%) of those who watch BBC news in Northern Ireland have a favourable
overall impression of the service, with just under two in ten (18%) scoring it ten out of ten.
Under one third (29%) is neutral and 3% has an unfavourable impression.
Confidential: For research purposes only 79
Using BBC Northern Ireland TV News/Current AffairsQ13. Which, if any, of BBC N. Ireland’s TV news or current affairs/political programmes do you tend to watch?
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland television news or current affairs (458)
79%
52%
51%
41%
20%
19%
12%
11%
5%
4%
BBC Newsline
UK-wide news, e.g. BBC News at Six, BBC News at Ten
Spotlight
BBC News Channel
BBC Breakfast on Network Radio e.g. Radio's Today Programmeor Radio 5 Live
The View
Stormont Today
Sunday Politics
Other
Don't watch BBC Northern Ireland's news or current affairsprogrammes
Confidential: For research purposes only 80
TV News & Current AffairsQ14. BBC1 Northern Ireland and UK News. Q14x. BBC News Channel/BBC Breakfast on Network Radio
45
41
44
34
40
44
38
46
10
10
11
13
4
4
4
4
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
A good balance of UK,international and NI news?
A mix of UK, international and NInews that feels relevant to me?
High quality and trustworthy dailynews?
…provides you with a good balance of UK, international and
NI news?
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base Q14: All who use UK wide news (232)
Base Q14x: All who use BBC News Channel/BBC Breakfast on Network Radio (216)
Agree
85%
82%
85%
Q14. The BBC’s television news for Northern Ireland is provided on BBC1 alongside news for the whole UK (at 1pm,
6pm, 10pm). To what extent do you agree that these programmes taken together serve you with…
80%
Q14x. To what extent do you agree that BBC News Channel/BBC Breakfast on Network Radio…
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Q15. Thinking about BBC Northern Ireland’s TV news, within the UK wide broadcasts, what is
your overall impression?
A majority of viewers agree that BBC Northern Ireland TV news is performing well according
to most of its main performance measures. More than eight in ten (85%) agree it is
informative and over than seven in ten (76%) say it is relevant, a similar number (75%)
believe it is of high quality. Over six in ten also feel that it is engaging (64%). However, fewer
than half of all viewers (49%) feel that is different from programmes from other providers.
Q17. BBC Northern Ireland’s television news programmes are…
Across these detailed performance measures, BBC Northern Ireland TV news generally
scores well, with no performance gaps greater than -12. Eight in ten (81%) agree that these
programmes provide accurate and up-to-date news and over seven in ten say it gives them
a better understanding of news and topical issues in Northern Ireland (76%); that it relates
national and international news to their region (76%); and that it represents Northern Ireland
(75%).
Confidential: For research purposes only 99
3% 6% 6% 13% 26% 22% 18%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
3%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
66%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
29%
Mean:
7.8
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Overall Impression of BBC Northern Ireland’s TV NewsQ15. Thinking about BBC N. Ireland’s TV News, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
Base: All who watch UK-wide news (232)
Confidential: For research purposes only 82
BBC N. Ireland TV NewsQ17. BBC Northern Ireland’s television news programmes are…
37
34
37
24
16
48
42
38
40
33
10
17
18
26
35
3
5
5
6
10
1
2
1
2
3
1
1
1
2
2
...informative
…relevant to me
...high-quality
…engaging
…different from other providers
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who watch BBC Northern Ireland’s television news (448)
Agree
85%
76%
75%
64%
49%
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Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Northern Ireland’s television news… – Performance Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Northern Ireland’s
television news…? – Importance
The largest performance gap recorded for BBC Northern Ireland TV news is in relation to the
provision of high quality independent news (-12). There is a moderate gap of -8 in relation to
helping viewers understand politics and decision-making in Northern Ireland, but
performance exceeds audience expectations when it comes to providing additional content
online, and on social media.
Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Northern Ireland’s television news… – Performance Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Northern Ireland’s
television news…? – Importance
4.7.2 BBC Northern Ireland Television Current Affairs
Six in ten viewers (60%) of BBC current affairs and political programming in Northern Ireland
have a favourable overall impression of these programmes. Fewer than four in ten (36%) are
neutral and 4% has an unfavourable impression.
Confidential: For research purposes only 83
81%
90%
76%
83%
76%
83%
75%
86%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC N. Ireland News (1 of 2)
Base: All who watch BBC Northern Ireland’s television news (448)
Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that… - Importance
…gives me a better
understanding of news and
topical issues in Northern Ireland
…provides accurate and up-
to-date news
…represents Northern Ireland
-9
-7
-7
-11
Gap
…relates national and
international news to my region
Confidential: For research purposes only 84
74%
86%
64%
72%
64%
55%
50%
43%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
BBC N. Ireland News (2 of 2)
Base: All who watch BBC Northern Ireland’s television news (448)
Q18a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Performance
Q18b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Northern Ireland News… - Importance
…provides additional content on
social media such as Facebook
and Twitter
…provides content online e.g.
video clips
-12
-8
+9
+7
…helps me understand
politics and decision-making in
Northern Ireland
Gap
…provides high-quality,
independent news
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Q19. Thinking about BBC Northern Ireland’s current affairs/political programmes on TV, what
is your overall impression?
BBC Northern Ireland’s political and current affairs programmes are seen to be performing
well by the majority of viewers. More than eight in ten say they are informative (84%) and
fewer than eight in ten say they are high quality (79%) and relevant (78%). More than three
quarters of viewer (76%) also agree that these programmes are engaging.
Q20. BBC Northern Ireland’s current affairs/political programmes are…
These programmes generally score well across their performance measures, particularly in
the provision of political analysis (no performance gap) and the coverage of important
political stories in Northern Ireland (gap of +1). There are also gaps of less than -10 points in
reflecting local issues and concerns (-8); investigating and scrutinising issues and institutions
(-7); covering a wide range of topics and subject matter (-8); giving viewers a better
understanding of topical issues in Northern Ireland (-9); and explaining complex issues (-9).
Confidential: For research purposes only 104
3%3% 8% 10% 15% 24% 20% 17%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
4%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
60%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
36%
Mean:
7.6
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Overall Impression of BBC N. Ireland TV Current AffairsQ19. Thinking about BBC N. Ireland’s current affairs/political programmes on TV, what is your overall impression?
Base: All who watch BBC Current affairs programming (228)
Confidential: For research purposes only 86
BBC N. Ireland TV Current AffairsQ20. BBC Northern Ireland’s current affairs/political programmes are…
40
39
32
28
44
40
46
48
10
16
17
17
3
2
4
5
3
3
2
2
…informative
…high-quality
…relevant to me
…engaging
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know
Base: All who watch BBC current affairs programming (228)
Agree
84%
79%
78%
76%
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Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC current affairs programming… – Performance Q21b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC current affairs
programming…? – Importance
A slightly larger gap is recorded for programmes that are relevant to viewers (-10). The
largest performance gap in this area relates to holding decision makers to account; while
69% feels that existing programmes do this well, a larger number (88%) believes this is an
important area, creating a performance gap of -19.
Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC current affairs programming… – Performance Q21b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC current affairs
programming…? – Importance
4.8 BBC Northern Ireland News Online
Most users of BBC Northern Ireland News online have a positive view of the service: six in
ten users (60%) have a positive overall impression, just under four in ten (36%) are neutral
while 3% has an unfavourable view.
Confidential: For research purposes only 86
BBC N. Ireland Current Affairs (1 of 2)
89%
88%
83%
91%
82%
82%
81%
88%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Base: All who watch BBC Current affairs programming (228)
Gap
-7
+1
-8
-
Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Q21b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that BBC NI’s current affairs/political programmes…?
…covers the important
political stories in Northern
Ireland
…investigates and scrutinises
issues and institutions
…reflects local issues and
concerns
…provides political analysis
Confidential: For research purposes only 88
81%
89%
79%
88%
77%
87%
77%
86%
69%
88%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
…explains complex issues
…holds decision makers in
Northern Ireland to account
…are relevant to me
Base: All who watch BBC Current affairs programming (228)
Gap
-19
-8
-10
-9
-9
…covers a wide range of
topics and subject matter
…gives me a better
understanding of topical
issues in Northern Ireland
BBC N. Ireland Current Affairs (2 of 2)Q21a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Q21b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that BBC NI’s current affairs/political programmes…?
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Q23. Thinking about BBC Northern Ireland news online, what is your overall impression on a
scale of 1 to 10?
Although desktop computers and laptops are the most common means with which people
claim to access BBC Northern Ireland news online, with claimed use by more than six in ten
(64%), smartphones are used by more than half of users (51%). Fewer than four in ten
adults (37%) say they use a tablet to access the site and two in ten (20%) say they use a
connected TV.
Q22. How do you tend to access the BBC Northern Ireland news online?
The majority of users are positive about BBC Northern Ireland news online. Over eight in ten
(85%) agree it is informative and over seven in ten say that it is relevant (77%); that it is high
quality (77%); and that it provides the right amount of news for their area (72%).
Confidential: For research purposes only 109
2% 7% 8% 18% 25% 20% 16%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOTAL:
Unfavourable (1-3)
3%
TOTAL:
Favourable (8-10)
60%
TOTAL:
Neutral (4-7)
36%
Mean:
7.7
Extremely
unfavourable
Extremely
favourable
Overall Impression of BBC Northern Ireland News OnlineQ23. Thinking about BBC N. Ireland news online, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10?
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland news online/BBC Northern Ireland pages on the BBC news app (264)
Confidential: For research purposes only 90
Accessing BBC N. Ireland News onlineQ22. How do you tend to access the BBC Northern Ireland news online?
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland news online/BBC Northern Ireland pages on the BBC news app (264)
64%
51%
37%
20%
2%
Via desktop computer/laptop
Via smartphone
Via tablet
Through a connected TV
Other
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Q24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement that BBC Northern Ireland
news online…
On the more detailed performance measures, BBC Northern Ireland news online scores
well, with most performance gaps not exceeding -7. The only larger gap relates to the
provision of high quality independent news, where a performance score of 77% and an
importance score of 89% result in a performance gap of -12.
BBC Northern Ireland news online largely meets the expectations of its users when it comes
to providing up-to-date news on Northern Ireland (-5) which is relevant to the audience (-6).
Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Northern Ireland news online… – Performance Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Northern Ireland news
online…? - Importance
Comparable gaps are also recorded for providing information of local interest (-6); providing
clear links to other local media and information providers (-4); and sourcing or sharing
content with other such providers (-7).
Confidential: For research purposes only 91
BBC N. Ireland News OnlineQ24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement? BBC Northern Ireland news online…
35
30
33
23
50
47
44
48
10
16
17
15
3
5
3
9
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
...is informative
…is relevant to me
…is high-quality
…provides the right amount of news for my area
% Definitely agree % Tend to agree % Neither/nor % Tend to disagree % Definitely disagree % Don't know Agree
85%
77%
77%
72%
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland news online/BBC Northern Ireland pages on the BBC news app (264)
Confidential: For research purposes only 92
BBC N. Ireland News Online (1 of 2)
86%
91%
80%
86%
77%
89%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Gap
-5
-6
-12
…is relevant to me
…provides me with up to
date news about Northern
Ireland
…provides high quality,
independent news
Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC NI news online…
Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Northern Ireland news online…
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland news online/BBC Northern Ireland pages on the BBC news app (264)
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Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Northern Ireland news online… – Performance Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Northern Ireland news
online…? - Importance
Confidential: For research purposes only 93
BBC N. Ireland News Online (2 of 2)
72%
78%
60%
64%
56%
63%
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Performance
Importance
Gap
-6
-4
-7
…provides clear links to
other local media and
information providers
…provides information of
local interest, such as
sport, culture/arts and
events
…sources or shares
content with other providers
of local information
Q25a. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC NI news online…
Q25b. How important or unimportant is it to you personally that BBC Northern Ireland news online…
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland news online/BBC Northern Ireland pages on the BBC news app (264)
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5. Appendices
Appendix 1: Guide to Statistical Reliability
The respondents to this research are a sample of the target audience i.e. residents of
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We cannot, therefore, be certain that the figures
obtained are exactly those we would have if everybody in the target audience (i.e. the entire
populations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) had been interviewed (the ‘true’
values). We can, however, predict the variation between the sample results and the ‘true’
value from knowledge of the size of the samples on which the results are based and the
number of times that a particular answer is given.
The confidence with which we can make this prediction is usually chosen to be 95% – that
is, the chances are 19 in 20 that the ‘true’ value will fall within a specified range. The table
below illustrates the predicted ranges for different sample sizes and percentage results at
the ‘95% confidence interval’2, assuming an infinite population.
Size of sample on which
survey result is based
Approximate sampling tolerances applicable to
percentages at or near these levels
Statistical reliability
10%/90% 30%/70% 50%/50%
500 interviews
(Total in each nation) 2.6% 4.0% 4.4%
250 interviews
(e.g. TV news viewers) 3.7% 5.7% 6.2%
200 interviews
(e.g. Radio listeners) 4.2% 6.4% 6.9%
For example, on a question where 50% of the people in a sample of 500 (e.g. all
respondents in Scotland) respond with a particular answer, the chances are 95 in 100 that
this result would not vary by more than 4.4 percentage points (plus or minus) from a
complete coverage of the entire population using the same procedures. However, while it is
true to conclude that the “actual” result (95 times out of 100) lies anywhere between 45.6%
and 54.4%, it is proportionately more likely to be closer to the centre of this band (i.e. at
50%).
2 It should be noted that these figures assume a simple random possibility sample design with no
design effects; in reality, with quota surveys, these are likely to occur and widen the margin of error so this should be treated as a guide.
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Appendix 2: Definition of BAME
BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) is a standard definition to define those who are
from a non-white background.
This is derived from the following question in the questionnaire:
Which of these best describes your ethnic origin?
Ethnicity Code Grouping
WHITE
English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British White
Irish White
Eastern European White
Another white background White
MIXED
White and black Caribbean BAME
White and black African BAME
White and Asian BAME
Any other mixed/multiple ethnic background BAME
ASIAN
Indian BAME
Pakistani BAME
Bangladeshi BAME
Chinese BAME
BLACK
African BAME
Caribbean BAME
Another black/African/Caribbean background BAME
OTHER
Arab BAME
Another ethnic group BAME
Prefer not to say N/A
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Appendix 3: Sample Profile
Data has been weighted by age, gender, ethnicity and social grade to reflect the
demographic distribution of each nation.
Sample profile – Scotland
Base: 502 Unweighted
Number Unweighted percentage
Weighted percentage
Gender Men 250 50% 51%
Women 252 50% 49%
Age 16-24 70 14% 14%
25-34 71 14% 16%
35-44 76 15% 15%
45-54 90 18% 18%
55-64 83 17% 15%
65+ 112 22% 22%
Ethnicity White 480 96% 96%
Ethnic minority/BAME 19 4% 3%
Socio-economic Grade AB 162 32% 19%
C1 143 28% 32%
C2 78 16% 22%
DE 119 24% 28%
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Sample profile – Wales
Base: 500 Unweighted
Number Unweighted percentage
Weighted percentage
Gender Men 219 44% 51%
Women 281 56% 49%
Age 16-24 59 12% 14%
25-34 67 13% 15%
35-44 71 14% 15%
45-54 86 17% 17%
55-64 84 17% 15%
65+ 133 27% 24%
Ethnicity White 485 97% 96%
Ethnic minority/BAME 12 3% 3%
Socio-economic Grade AB 168 34% 18%
C1 147 29% 29%
C2 61 12% 23%
DE 124 25% 30%
Sample profile – Northern Ireland
Base: 514 Unweighted
Number Unweighted percentage
Weighted percentage
Gender Men 216 42% 51%
Women 298 58% 49%
Age 16-24 68 13% 14%
25-34 96 19% 17%
35-44 88 17% 17%
45-54 101 20% 18%
55-64 70 14% 14%
65+ 91 18% 20%
Ethnicity White 499 97% 97%
Ethnic minority/BAME 13 3% 3%
Socio-economic Grade AB 165 32% 17%
C1 128 25% 28%
C2 93 18% 24%
DE 128 25% 31%
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Appendix 4: Marked-up questionnaire
Scotland
SECTION 1: Claimed use
Q1. Which, if any, of the following ways do you access news and information for Scotland?
MULTICODE. CATI: READ OUT.
Base: All respondents (502) %
TV (e.g. local or regional news bulletins on BBC One or ITV) 89
Internet sites, apps or blogs (not including social media) 59
Local newspapers 57
Local radio stations (e.g. BBC, commercial or community radio) 50
Social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) 44
Other sources of Scottish news 2
Q2. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use the BBC for national and Scottish news
and current affairs? MULTICODE. CATI: READ OUT.
Base: All respondents (514) %
BBC Scotland TV news (e.g. regional news bulletins on BBC One) 82
BBC Scotland news online 37
BBC Radio Scotland 28
Scotland current affairs/political programmes on TV (e.g. Scotland 2016 or part of Sunday Politics)
26
Social media (e.g. your BBC Scotland or BBC Radio Scotland on Facebook or Twitter)
23
BBC Scotland pages on the BBC News App 17
BBC Alba programming 5
BBC Radio nan Gàidheal 2
None of the above 8
Other 3
QA. Can you understand, speak, read or write Gaelic? MULTICODE
Base: All respondents (502) %
Understand spoken Gaelic 4
Speak Gaelic 2
Read Gaelic 2
Write Gaelic 2
I cannot understand any Gaelic 94
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Q4. Thinking about the BBC generally, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10,
where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All respondents (502) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 6
2 2
3 5
4 5
5 7
6 8
7 16
8 23
9 13
10 - Extremely favourable 14
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) 13
NET: Neutral (4-7) 36
NET: Favourable (8-10) 50
Don’t know 1
Q5. How well does the BBC as a whole serve audiences specifically in Scotland? SINGLE
CODE
Base: All respondents (502) %
Very well 18
Quite well 44
Neither well or not well 18
Not very well 11
Not well at all 7
Don’t know 3
NET: Well 62
NET: Not well 17
Q6. Why do you not use the BBC for Scottish news and current affairs? OPEN END.
Base: All who do not use any BBC outputs (38) N3
Biased/untrustworthy style of reporting 12
Not interested/don’t watch/listen 6
Prefer another station/channel/platform 6
Regional bias/only report local news 5
Prefer another station/region 3
Dislike the presenters/style of presenting/format of presentation 3
Dislike the BBC in general/fell out with the BBC 2
News is too depressing/it’s always bad news 2
Licence fee/compulsory funding for the BBC 1
Too much money is wasted 1
Other 3
None/no real reason 4
3 Due to a small base size data are given as numbers rather than percentages.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 74
SECTION 2: Nations Radio
Q7. Thinking about BBC Radio Scotland, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10,
where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable?
SINGLE CODE
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 1
2 1
3 3
4 5
5 8
6 10
7 18
8 27
9 14
10 - Extremely favourable 12
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) 5
NET: Neutral (4-7) 41
NET: Favourable (8-10) 52
Don’t know 2
Q7a. Thinking about BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1
to 10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE
CODE
Base: All who listen to Radio nan Gàidheal (11) N4
1 - Extremely unfavourable -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 4
6 1
7 4
8 1
9 2
10 - Extremely favourable 1
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) -
NET: Neutral (4-7) 9
NET: Favourable (8-10) 4
Don’t know -
4 Due to a small base size data are given as numbers rather than percentages.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 75
Q8. Please select all of the kinds of programming that you listen to on BBC Radio Scotland.
MULTICODE.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142) %
Breakfast news 61
Sports coverage 53
News bulletins throughout the day 51
Music programmes 38
Daytime talk and discussion programmes 30
Documentaries 22
Drama 15
Arts and culture 15
Comedy 15
Other 4
Q9. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements using the following
scale? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
CATI: READ SCALE: READ OUT
Q10a. BBC Radio Scotland should be a speech-led service for listeners seeking programmes
about the life, culture and affairs of Scotland. In addition to local and national concerns, output
should also address matters of UK and international significance from a Scottish perspective.
BBC Radio Scotland should offer some highly targeted local programming and support for
BBC community stations.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142) NET:
Agree %
Defin-itely
agree %
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree
nor dis-agree
%
Tend to dis-
agree %
Defin-itely disa-gree %
NET: Disa-gree
Don’t know
%
a) BBC Radio Scotland is informative
80 30 50 12 2 5 8 -
b) BBC Radio Scotland provides high quality programming
70 21 49 22 5 4 9 -
c) BBC Radio Scotland is distinctive compared with other radio stations
61 18 43 28 8 3 11 1
d) BBC Radio Scotland has programmes that are entertaining
60 18 42 30 6 2 9 1
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 76
You will be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think BBC Radio Scotland is doing on each of these. Please consider carefully before giving your answer. To what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142) NET:
Agree %
Definitely
agree %
Tend to
agree %
Neither agree nor
disagree %
Tend to
disagree %
Definitely
disagree %
NET: Disagr
ee %
Don’t know
%
a) BBC Radio Scotland provides high quality news
74 26 48 17 7 2 9 -
b) BBC Radio Scotland gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Scotland
70 23 48 20 7 3 10 -
c) BBC Radio Scotland gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in the UK
59 16 43 27 9 5 13 1
d) BBC Radio Scotland helps me understand what's going on in the wider world, such as international news and events
57 15 43 29 8 5 12 1
e) BBC Radio Scotland has the right balance of serious and lighter news stories
58 13 45 31 6 3 9 2
f) BBC Radio Scotland helps me understand politics in Scotland
64 18 46 21 9 5 13 1
g) BBC Radio Scotland helps me understand UK-wide politics
52 11 41 31 10 6 16 -
h) BBC Radio Scotland supports arts and culture in Scotland
58 17 42 33 4 * 5 4
i) BBC Radio Scotland provides me with music I do not normally hear elsewhere
37 13 24 40 13 4 17 6
j) BBC Radio Scotland supports Scottish music
60 19 41 29 5 1 6 5
k) BBC Radio Scotland introduces me to new presenters, performers and artists from Scotland
50 12 39 38 7 1 8 4
l) BBC Radio Scotland provides coverage of a variety of sport
66 17 50 20 7 4 11 2
m) BBC Radio Scotland is good at portraying my particular culture or community to other people in Scotland
41 11 30 43 8 4 12 5
n) BBC Radio Scotland provides content and programming that caters for the population of Scotland
65 15 49 27 5 2 7 1
o) BBC Radio Scotland reflects my local interests and concerns
49 14 36 38 9 3 13 -
p) BBC Radio Scotland reflects the diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Scotland
48 16 32 37 6 2 8 6
q) When listening to BBC Radio Scotland, I hear a range of voices from around Scotland
73 22 51 20 5 * 5 1
r) BBC Radio Scotland highlights to me important social issues
58 19 40 30 8 2 10 2
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 77
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that….? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142) NET:
Important %
Very Importa
nt %
Quite importa
nt %
Neither important nor
unimportant
%
Quite unimpo
rtant %
Very unimpo
rtant %
NET: Unimportant
%
Don’t know
%
a) BBC Radio Scotland provides high quality news
85 46 38 12 1 1 2 1
b) BBC Radio Scotland gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Scotland
82 35 47 16 1 1 2 -
c) BBC Radio Scotland gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in the UK
75 25 50 18 7 - 7 -
d) BBC Radio Scotland helps me understand what's going on in the wider world, such as international news and events
69 26 44 24 5 2 7 -
e) BBC Radio Scotland has the right balance of serious and lighter news stories
70 25 45 21 5 2 6 2
f) BBC Radio Scotland helps me understand politics in Scotland
75 30 45 19 4 2 9 -
g) BBC Radio Scotland helps me understand UK-wide politics
67 20 47 24 7 2 9 -
h) BBC Radio Scotland supports arts and culture in Scotland
57 22 34 34 7 2 9 1
i) BBC Radio Scotland provides me with music I do not normally hear elsewhere
49 14 34 34 11 7 18 -
j) BBC Radio Scotland supports Scottish music
63 22 41 41 7 3 10 -
k) BBC Radio Scotland introduces me to new presenters, performers and artists from Scotland
52 15 36 36 10 3 13 *
l) BBC Radio Scotland provides coverage of a variety of sport
60 22 38 26 5 9 14 1
m) BBC Radio Scotland is good at portraying my particular culture or community to other people in Scotland
50 15 35 42 6 - 6 2
n) BBC Radio Scotland provides content and programming that caters for the population of Scotland
78 30 48 19 2 1 3 -
o) BBC Radio Scotland reflects my local interests and concerns
72 23 49 22 4 1 5 -
p) BBC Radio Scotland reflects the diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Scotland
57 21 37 29 9 3 12 2
q) When listening to BBC Radio Scotland, I hear a range of voices from around Scotland
66 23 43 28 5 1 6 -
r) BBC Radio Scotland highlights to me important social issues
72 26 46 25 3 - 3 -
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Q11a. Would you say that there is too much, just the right amount, or not enough listener
participation on BBC Radio Scotland?
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142) %
Too much 9
Just right 70
Not enough 10
Don’t know 11
Q12. Thinking about BBC Radio Scotland’s website (e.g. where you can listen live, catch up on
shows you’ve missed and access clips and podcasts), what is your overall impression - on a
scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable?
SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Scotland (142) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable -
2 2
3 -
4 1
5 6
6 7
7 12
8 16
9 6
10 - Extremely favourable 7
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) 2
NET: Neutral (4-7) 26
NET: Favourable (8-10) 29
Do not use the BBC Radio Scotland’s website 40
Did not know BBC Radio Scotland had a website 4
Section 3: Nations Television News and Current Affairs
Q13. Which, if any, of BBC Scotland’s TV news or current affairs/political programmes do you
tend to watch? Please select all that apply. MULTICODE.
Base: All who use BBC Scotland television news or current affairs (416) %
Reporting Scotland 84
UK Wide News e.g. BBC news at Six; BBC News at Ten 51
BBC News Channel 48
Politics Scotland/Sunday Politics Scotland 19
BBC Breakfast on Network Radio e.g. Radio 4’s Today Programme or Radio 5 Live
15
Scotland 2016 14
BBC Scotland Investigates 10
I don’t watch BBC Scotland’s news or current affairs programmes 5
Other 2
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 79
Q14. The BBC’s television news for Scotland is provided on BBC1 alongside news for the
whole UK (at 1pm, 6pm, 10pm). To what extent do you agree that these programmes taken
together serve you with…? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who use UK wide news (217)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
a) High quality and trustworthy daily news
81 36 45 12 5 1 7
b) A mix of UK, international and Scottish news that feels relevant to me
79 31 47 13 8 1 9
c) A good balance of UK, international and Scottish news
80 32 48 8 10 1 11
Q14X. To what extent to you agree that [PULL THROUGH EITHER OR BOTH BBC NEWS
CHANNEL AND/OR BBC BREAKFAST ON NETWORK RADIO] provides you with a good
balance of UK, international and Scottish news? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who watch BBC News Channel or BBC Breakfast on Network Radio (219)
%
Definitely agree 22
Tend to agree 53
Neither agree nor disagree 13
Tend to disagree 9
Definitely disagree 2
Don’t know 2
NET: Agree 75
NET: Disagree 10
Q15. Thinking about BBC Scotland’s TV News within the UK wide broadcasts at 1pm, 6pm and
10pm, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely
unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who watch UK-wide news (217) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 2
2 -
3 2
4 4
5 7
6 7
7 15
8 30
9 13
10 - Extremely favourable 21
NET: Unfavourable (1 to 3) 3
NET: Neutral (4 to 7) 33
NET: Favourable (8 to 10) 64
Don’t know *
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 80
Q16a. Thinking about BBC Alba, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1
means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All respondents who watch BBC Alba (24) N5
1 - Extremely unfavourable -
2 -
3 -
4 4
5 3
6 3
7 3
8 5
9 3
10 - Extremely favourable 4
NET: Unfavourable (1 to 3) -
NET: Neutral (4 to 7) 13
NET: Favourable (8 to 10) 12
Don’t know 1
Q16b. Do you feel that there is enough Gaelic language programming on BBC Alba? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who watch BBC Alba (24) N6
There is enough Gaelic language programming on BBC Alba 12
There is not enough Gaelic language programming on BBC Alba 7
There is too much Gaelic language programming on BBC Alba 3
Don’t know 4
Q17. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding BBC
Scotland’s television news? BBC Scotland’s television news programmes are…?
SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Scotland’s television news (408)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree
nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
… informative 81 30 51 12 5 1 6 1
… high quality 69 26 43 21 6 2 8 2
… different from other providers
40 13 27 41 13 3 16 3
… relevant to me 71 23 49 19 6 1 7 3
… engaging 64 19 45 25 7 2 10 2
5 Due to a small base size data are given as numbers rather than percentages. 6 Due to a small base size data are given as numbers rather than percentages.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 81
Q18a. You will be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think BBC
Scotland News is doing on each of these. Please consider carefully before giving your answer. To
what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Scotland News…?
SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Scotland’s television news (408)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree
nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) ... provides high quality, independent news
71 24 46 18 6 4 10 2
b) … provides accurate and up-to-date news
76 28 48 16 4 2 6 2
c) ... helps me understand politics and decision-making in Scotland
64 18 46 22 8 4 13 2
d) ... gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Scotland
70 23 47 21 5 2 7 2
e) … relates national and international news to my region
66 19 47 19 9 4 12 2
f) … represents Scotland
70 23 48 16 8 4 12 2
g) … provides additional content on social media such as Facebook and Twitter
37 13 25 19 4 2 6 38
h) … provides content online e.g. Video clips
51 15 35 21 4 2 5 23
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 82
Q18b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that… ? SINGLE CODE FOR
EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Scotland’s television news (408)
NET: Important
%
Very important
%
Quite important
%
Neither important
nor unimporta
nt %
Quite unimporta
nt %
Very unimporta
nt %
NET: Unimport
ant %
Don’t know
%
a) ... provides high quality, independent news
86 46 39 11 1 1 3 1
b) … provides accurate and up-to-date news
88 52 36 9 1 1 2 1
c) ... helps me understand politics and decision-making in Scotland
77 33 44 18 3 2 5 1
d) ... gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Scotland
82 40 43 14 1 2 3 1
e) … relates national and international news to my region
80 35 45 15 2 1 4 1
f) … represents Scotland
84 44 39 12 2 2 4 1
g) … provides additional content on social media such as Facebook and Twitter
32 9 23 27 10 22 32 10
h) … provides content online e.g. Video clips
37 11 26 34 10 12 22 6
Q19. Thinking about the BBC Scotland’s current affairs/political programmes on TV, what is
your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10
means extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (135) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 6
2 -
3 3
4 3
5 8
6 4
7 25
8 25
9 10
10 - Extremely favourable 15
Don’t know 2
NET: Unfavourable (1 to 3) 10
NET: Neutral (4 to 7) 40
NET: Favourable (8 to 10) 49
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 83
Q20. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Scotland’s
current affairs/political programmes…? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (135)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) … are informative 78 34 44 10 4 6 10 2
b) … are high quality 72 28 44 13 6 7 13 2
c) … are relevant to me 70 23 48 17 6 5 11 2
d) … are engaging 68 25 43 17 6 7 13 2
Q21a. You will now be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think
the BBC Scotland’s current affairs/political programming is doing on each of these. Please
consider carefully before giving your answer. To what extent to you agree or disagree with the
following statements? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
BBC Scotland’s current affairs/political programmes
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (135)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) ... covers a wide range of topics and subject matter
82 29 53 9 4 5 9 *
b) …are relevant to me 71 21 51 15 6 7 14 *
c) ... gives me a better understanding of topical issues in Scotland
72 24 48 13 7 6 14 1
d) ... explains complex issues
70 20 50 14 5 9 14 1
e) ... holds decision makers in Scotland to account
60 17 42 22 9 6 15 3
f) ... investigates and scrutinises issues and institutions
70 19 50 18 5 5 11 1
g) … reflects local issues and concerns
65 18 47 20 7 7 14 1
h) … covers the important political stories in Scotland
77 34 43 12 6 5 11 *
i) … provides political analysis
80 30 50 11 2 6 8 *
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 84
Q21b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that….? SINGLE CODE FOR
EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
BBC Scotland’s current affairs/political programmes
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (135)
NET: Important
%
Very important
%
Quite important
%
Neither important
nor unimporta
nt %
Quite unimporta
nt %
Very unimporta
nt %
NET: Unimport
ant %
Don’t know
%
a) ... covers a wide range of topics and subject matter
83 50 33 11 3 3 6 *
b) …are relevant to me
81 45 36 12 3 3 6 *
c) ... gives me a better understanding of topical issues in Scotland
86 45 41 8 1 5 6 *
d) ... explains complex issues
84 49 35 11 1 4 5 *
e) ... holds decision makers in Scotland to account
81 56 25 12 4 3 7 *
f) ... investigates and scrutinises issues and institutions
87 53 34 8 3 2 5 *
g) … reflects local issues and concerns
87 45 42 6 4 3 7 *
h) … covers the important political stories in Scotland
90 56 33 6 1 3 4 *
i) … provides political analysis
86 49 37 10 * 4 4 *
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 85
Section 4: BBC Scotland News Online
Q22. How do you tend to access the BBC Scotland news online? MULTICODE.
Base: All who use BBC Scotland online (221) %
Via desktop computer/ laptop 74
Via smartphone 47
Via tablet 30
Through a connected TV 12
Other *
Q23. Thinking about the BBC Scotland news online, what is your overall impression on a scale
of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable?
SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who use BBC Scotland online (221) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 1
2 1
3 2
4 5
5 8
6 7
7 19
8 34
9 12
10 - Extremely favourable 10
NET: Unfavourable (1 to 3) 3
NET: Neutral (4 to 7) 39
NET: Favourable (8 to 10) 56
Don’t know 2
Q24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH.
ROTATE STARTING POINT.
BBC Scotland news online
Base: All who use BBC Scotland online (221)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) … is informative 82 30 51 12 3 1 5 2
b) … is relevant to me
74 25 49 16 6 2 8 2
c) … is high quality 70 29 41 21 5 2 7 2
d) … provides the right amount of news for my area
62 18 44 20 12 4 16 2
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 86
Q25a. The BBC has a duty to ‘inform, educate and entertain’ the UK public in return for the
licence fee that is charged.
BBC Scotland news online has commitments with regards to the news it provides for your
area. You will be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think BBC
Scotland online is doing on each of these. Please consider carefully before giving your
answer. To what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements? SINGLE CODE
FOR EACH. RANDOMISE STARTING POINT.
BBC Scotland news online
Base: All who use BBC Scotland online (221)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor
disagree %
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagre
e %
Don’t know
%
a) … provides high quality, independent news
69 25 44 20 5 4 9 2
b) … provides me with up to date news about Scotland
78 24 54 14 4 1 6 2
c) …is relevant to me
72 25 47 20 4 1 6 2
d) … provides information of local interests, such as sport, culture/arts and events
66 18 48 22 5 2 7 5
e) … sources or shares content with other providers of local information
50 16 34 25 7 2 9 16
f) … provides clear links to other local media and information providers
51 14 37 26 9 3 12 11
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 87
Q25b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that…? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH.
RANDOMISE STARTING POINT.
BBC Scotland news online
Base: All who use BBC Scotland online (221) NET:
Important %
Very importa
nt %
Quite importa
nt %
Neither important nor
unimportant %
Quite unimpor
tant %
Very unimpor
tant %
NET: Unimportant
%
Don’t know
%
a) … provides high quality, independent news
91 57 34 7 - 1 1 1
b) … provides me with up to date news about Scotland
92 51 41 6 1 1 1 1
c) …is relevant to me 86 47 39 12 1 - 1 1
d) … provides information of local interests, such as sport, culture/arts and events
78 30 48 15 4 2 6 1
e) … sources or shares content with other providers of local information
61 21 40 23 8 4 12 3
f) … provides clear links to other local media and information providers
58 19 39 29 8 3 11 2
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 88
Wales
SECTION 1: Claimed use
Q1. Which, if any, of the following ways do you access news and information for Wales?
MULTICODE. CATI: READ OUT.
Base: All respondents (500) %
TV (e.g. local or regional news bulletins on BBC One or ITV) 85
Local newspapers 55
Internet sites, apps or blogs (not including social media) 49
Local radio stations (e.g. BBC, commercial or community radio) 41
Social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) 39
Other sources of Welsh news 3
Q2. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use the BBC for UK and Welsh news and
current affairs? MULTICODE. CATI: READ OUT.
Base: All respondents (500) %
BBC Wales TV news (e.g. regional news bulletins on BBC One) 83
BBC Wales news online 36
Wales current affairs/political programmes on TV 35
BBC Radio Wales 27
Social media (e.g. your BBC Wales or BBC Radio Wales/Cymru on Facebook or Twitter)
23
BBC Wales pages on the BBC News App 15
BBC Radio Cymru 12
None of the above 7
Other 2
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 89
Q4. Thinking about the BBC generally, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10,
where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All respondents (500) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 2
2 1
3 3
4 3
5 9
6 7
7 16
8 26
9 19
10 - Extremely favourable 14
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) 6
NET: Neutral (4-7) 35
NET: Favourable (8-10) 58
Don’t know *
Q5. How well does the BBC as a whole serve audiences specifically in Wales? SINGLE CODE
Base: All respondents (500) %
Very well 24
Quite well 48
Neither well or not well 17
Not very well 4
Not well at all 3
Don’t know 5
NET: Well 72
NET: Not well 7
Q6. Why do you not use the BBC for Welsh news and current affairs? OPEN END.
Base: All who do not use any BBC outputs (29) N7
Not interested/don’t watch/listen 9
Prefer another station/channel/platform 4
Dislike the presenters/style of presenting/format of presentation 4
Regional bias/only report local news 3
Prefer online 3
Biased/untrustworthy style of reporting 2
Prefer another station/region 2
Too much money is wasted 2
Dislike the BBC in general/fell out with the BBC *
Other 5
None/no real reason 8
7 Due to a small base size data are given as numbers rather than percentages.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 90
SECTION 2: Nations Radio
Q7. Thinking about BBC Radio Wales, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10,
where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable?
SINGLE CODE
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable *
2 -
3 -
4 *
5 4
6 8
7 24
8 32
9 11
10 - Extremely favourable 19
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) *
NET: Neutral (4-7) 36
NET: Favourable (8-10) 63
Don’t know 1
Q7a. Thinking about BBC Radio Cymru, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10,
where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE
Base: All who listen to Radio Cymru (58) N8
1 - Extremely unfavourable -
2 -
3 2
4 -
5 1
6 16
7 20
8 22
9 18
10 - Extremely favourable 18
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) 2
NET: Neutral (4-7) 37
NET: Favourable (8-10) 59
Don’t know 2
8 Due to a small base size data are given as numbers rather than percentages.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 91
Q8. Please select all of the kinds of programming that you listen to on BBC Radio Wales.
MULTICODE.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131) %
News bulletins throughout the day 67
Breakfast news 66
Daytime talk and discussion programmes 45
Sports coverage 44
Music programmes 43
Comedy 26
Documentaries 24
Drama 24
Arts and culture 20
Other 4
Q9. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements using the following
scale? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
CATI: READ SCALE: READ OUT
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131) NET:
Agree %
Defin-itely
agree %
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree
nor dis-agree
%
Tend to dis-
agree %
Defin-itely disa-gree %
NET: Disa-gree
Don’t know
%
a) BBC Radio Wales is informative
88 49 39 9 1 1 3 -
b) BBC Radio Wales provides high quality programming
84 37 48 10 4 2 5 1
c) BBC Radio Wales is distinctive compared with other radio stations
73 37 36 23 4 * 4 *
d) BBC Radio Wales has programmes that are entertaining
83 37 45 14 1 2 3 1
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 92
Q10a. BBC Radio Wales should be a speech-led service for listeners seeking programmes about the life, culture and affairs of Wales. In addition to local and national concerns, output should also address matters of UK and international significance from a Wels perspective. BBC Radio Wales should offer some highly targeted local programming and support for BBC community stations. You will be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think BBC Radio Wales is doing on each of these. Please consider carefully before giving your answer. To what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely
agree %
Tend to
agree %
Neither agree nor
disagree %
Tend to
disagree %
Definitely
disagree %
NET: Disagr
ee %
Don’t know
%
a) BBC Radio Wales provides high quality news
89 49 40 10 1 - 1 -
b) BBC Radio Wales gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Wales
86 44 43 11 2 1 3 -
c) BBC Radio Wales gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in the UK
80 38 42 19 1 * 2 -
d) BBC Radio Wales helps me understand what's going on in the wider world, such as international news and events
78 33 45 16 4 1 5 1
e) BBC Radio Wales has the right balance of serious and lighter news stories
83 40 43 10 1 2 3 3
f) BBC Radio Wales helps me understand politics in Wales
74 45 30 19 2 1 4 3
g) BBC Radio Wales helps me understand UK-wide politics
69 35 34 21 3 2 6 4
h) BBC Radio Wales supports arts and culture in Wales
76 35 41 13 4 2 6 5
i) BBC Radio Wales supports Welsh music 74 38 36 15 6 1 7 4
j) BBC Radio Wales introduces me to new presenters, performers and artists from Wales
75 35 40 19 2 1 4 3
k) BBC Radio Wales provides coverage of a variety of sport
77 41 36 13 2 1 3 7
l) BBC Radio Wales is good at portraying my particular culture or community to other people in Wales
67 32 35 23 4 2 5 5
m) BBC Radio Wales provides content and programming that caters for the population of Wales
85 41 44 10 2 * 2 2
n) BBC Radio Wales reflects my local interests and concerns
77 37 40 16 4 2 6 -
o) BBC Radio Wales reflects the diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Wales
65 31 34 27 4 2 6 2
p) When listening to BBC Radio Wales, I hear a range of voices from around Wales
79 41 38 12 6 2 9 1
q) BBC Radio Wales highlights to me important social issues
84 33 51 10 4 * 5 1
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 93
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that….? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131) NET:
Important %
Very Importa
nt %
Quite importa
nt %
Neither important nor
unimportant
%
Quite unimpo
rtant %
Very unimpo
rtant %
NET: Unimportant
%
Don’t know
%
a) BBC Radio Wales provides high quality news
89 51 38 9 2 * 2 *
b) BBC Radio Wales gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Wales
85 51 34 12 2 * 2 *
c) BBC Radio Wales gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in the UK
84 36 48 13 3 * 3 *
d) BBC Radio Wales helps me understand what's going on in the wider world, such as international news and events
83 41 41 10 4 1 5 3
e) BBC Radio Wales has the right balance of serious and lighter news stories
85 40 45 13 1 - 1 2
f) BBC Radio Wales helps me understand politics in Wales
78 40 38 17 2 3 5 *
g) BBC Radio Wales helps me understand UK-wide politics
74 31 43 19 3 4 6 *
h) BBC Radio Wales supports arts and culture in Wales
71 38 32 23 2 2 5 2
i) BBC Radio Wales supports Welsh music
79 50 29 14 3 2 5 2
j) BBC Radio Wales introduces me to new presenters, performers and artists from Wales
74 38 35 21 3 1 4 1
k) BBC Radio Wales provides coverage of a variety of sport
68 37 31 18 9 5 13 1
l) BBC Radio Wales is good at portraying my particular culture or community to other people in Wales
78 39 39 14 5 2 6 2
m) BBC Radio Wales provides content and programming that caters for the population of Wales
84 48 35 14 2 - 2 *
n) BBC Radio Wales reflects my local interests and concerns
82 44 38 12 3 2 5 1
o) BBC Radio Wales reflects the diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Wales
71 41 30 19 6 2 7 2
p) When listening to BBC Radio Wales, I hear a range of voices from around Wales
77 41 36 15 6 - 6 2
q) BBC Radio Wales highlights to me important social issues
84 39 44 14 2 - 2 *
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 94
Q11a. Would you say that there is too much, just the right amount, or not enough listener
participation on BBC Radio Wales?
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131) %
Too much 6
Just right 70
Not enough 16
Don’t know 8
Q12. Thinking about BBC Radio Wales’s website (e.g. where you can listen live, catch up on
shows you’ve missed and access clips and podcasts), what is your overall impression - on a
scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable?
SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Wales (131) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 1
2 -
3 *
4 *
5 2
6 3
7 13
8 13
9 7
10 - Extremely favourable 17
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) 1
NET: Neutral (4-7) 17
NET: Favourable (8-10) 37
Do not use the BBC Radio Wales’s website 39
Did not know BBC Radio Wales had a website 5
Section 3: Nations Television News and Current Affairs
Q13. Which, if any, of BBC Wales’s TV news or current affairs/political programmes do you tend
to watch? Please select all that apply. MULTICODE.
Base: All who use BBC Wales television news or current affairs (431) %
Wales Today 70
UK Wide News e.g. BBC news at Six; BBC News at Ten 57
BBC News Channel 57
Week In Week Out 30
The Wales Report 23
BBC Breakfast on Network Radio e.g. Radio 4’s Today Programme or Radio 5 Live
22
Sunday Politics Wales 12
I don’t watch BBC Wales’s news or current affairs programmes 5
Other 5
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 95
Q14. The BBC’s television news for Wales is provided on BBC1 alongside news for the whole
UK (at 1pm, 6pm, 10pm). To what extent do you agree that these programmes taken together
serve you with…? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who use UK wide news (254)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
a) High quality and trustworthy daily news
89 43 46 8 3 * 3
b) A mix of UK, international and Welsh news that feels relevant to me
81 38 43 12 7 - 7
c) A good balance of UK, international and Welsh news
83 35 48 11 5 - 5
Q14X. To what extent to you agree that [PULL THROUGH EITHER OR BOTH BBC NEWS
CHANNEL AND/OR BBC BREAKFAST ON NETWORK RADIO] provides you with a good
balance of UK, international and Welsh news? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who watch BBC News Channel or BBC Breakfast on Network Radio (262)
%
Definitely agree 31
Tend to agree 44
Neither agree nor disagree 16
Tend to disagree 5
Definitely disagree 3
Don’t know 1
NET: Agree 76
NET: Disagree 8
Q15. Thinking about BBC Wales’s TV News within the UK wide broadcasts at 1pm, 6pm and
10pm, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely
unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who watch UK-wide news (217) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 2
2 *
3 1
4 1
5 4
6 7
7 21
8 31
9 14
10 - Extremely favourable 18
NET: Unfavourable (1 to 3) 2
NET: Neutral (4 to 7) 34
NET: Favourable (8 to 10) 64
Don’t know *
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 96
Q17. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding BBC
Wales’s television news? BBC Wales’s television news programmes are…?
SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Wales’s television news (422)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree
nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
… informative 82 37 45 13 3 1 3 1
… high quality 75 35 41 17 5 1 6 1
… different from other providers
51 22 30 34 8 2 10 4
… relevant to me 72 28 44 19 6 2 8 1
… engaging 68 24 44 22 6 2 8 2
Q18a. You will be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think BBC
Wales News is doing on each of these. Please consider carefully before giving your answer. To
what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Wales News…? SINGLE
CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Wales’s television news (422)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree
nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) ... provides high quality, independent news
75 32 43 17 4 1 6 3
b) … provides accurate and up-to-date news
82 34 48 12 3 * 3 3
c) ... helps me understand politics and decision-making in Wales
67 22 45 21 7 3 10 3
d) ... gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Wales
77 30 47 17 2 1 3 3
e) … relates national and international news to my region
71 25 46 16 7 3 10 3
f) … represents Wales
77 35 42 14 5 1 6 3
g) … provides additional content on social media such as Facebook and Twitter
38 15 23 19 3 1 4 40
h) … provides content online e.g. Video clips
52 20 32 22 2 * 3 23
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 97
Q18b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that… ? SINGLE CODE FOR
EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Wales’s television news (422)
NET: Important
%
Very important
%
Quite important
%
Neither important
nor unimporta
nt %
Quite unimporta
nt %
Very unimporta
nt %
NET: Unimport
ant %
Don’t know
%
a) ... provides high quality, independent news
86 52 34 12 * 1 1 2
b) … provides accurate and up-to-date news
88 54 34 9 1 * 1 2
c) ... helps me understand politics and decision-making in Wales
77 34 43 16 4 2 5 2
d) ... gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Wales
83 36 46 13 2 1 3 2
e) … relates national and international news to my region
81 37 44 15 2 1 3 2
f) … represents Wales 81 49 32 15 1 1 2 2
g) … provides additional content on social media such as Facebook and Twitter
33 13 20 28 8 18 26 13
h) … provides content online e.g. Video clips
43 16 27 33 7 8 16 9
Q19. Thinking about the BBC Wales’s current affairs/political programmes on TV, what is your
overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means
extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (185) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 2
2 -
3 -
4 3
5 5
6 9
7 18
8 31
9 14
10 - Extremely favourable 16
Don’t know 1
NET: Unfavourable (1 to 3) 2
NET: Neutral (4 to 7) 35
NET: Favourable (8 to 10) 61
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 98
Q20. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Wales’s
current affairs/political programmes…? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (185)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) … are informative 88 39 49 8 1 2 3 1
b) … are high quality 82 34 47 14 1 1 2 1
c) … are relevant to me 75 31 44 16 4 1 6 3
d) … are engaging 75 29 46 14 7 2 8 3
Q21a. You will now be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think
the BBC Wales’s current affairs/political programming is doing on each of these. Please
consider carefully before giving your answer. To what extent to you agree or disagree with the
following statements? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
BBC Wales’s current affairs/political programmes
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (185)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) ... covers a wide range of topics and subject matter
77 33 44 12 6 2 8 3
b) …are relevant to me 72 33 39 16 7 1 9 2
c) ... gives me a better understanding of topical issues in Wales
81 33 48 10 4 2 6 3
d) ... explains complex issues
71 25 46 19 3 4 7 2
e) ... holds decision makers in Wales to account
65 27 38 21 9 3 12 2
f) ... investigates and scrutinises issues and institutions
79 37 42 14 4 1 5 2
g) … reflects local issues and concerns
78 29 50 11 8 2 9 2
h) … covers the important political stories in Wales
83 45 38 11 3 1 4 2
i) … provides political analysis
75 35 40 14 6 1 7 4
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 99
Q21b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that….? SINGLE CODE FOR
EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
BBC Wales’s current affairs/political programmes
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (185)
NET: Important
%
Very important
%
Quite important
%
Neither important
nor unimporta
nt %
Quite unimporta
nt %
Very unimporta
nt %
NET: Unimport
ant %
Don’t know
%
a) ... covers a wide range of topics and subject matter
91 56 35 6 2 - 2 1
b) …are relevant to me
87 49 37 11 1 * 2 1
c) ... gives me a better understanding of topical issues in Wales
92 52 40 6 1 - 1 1
d) ... explains complex issues
87 46 41 11 1 * 1 1
e) ... holds decision makers in Wales to account
88 54 35 10 1 - 1 1
f) ... investigates and scrutinises issues and institutions
92 53 39 7 1 - 1 1
g) … reflects local issues and concerns
90 55 35 9 - - - 1
h) … covers the important political stories in Wales
88 57 31 8 3 - 3 1
i) … provides political analysis
83 46 37 14 1 2 3 1
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 100
Section 4: BBC Wales News Online
Q22. How do you tend to access the BBC Wales news online? MULTICODE.
Base: All who use BBC Wales online (215) %
Via desktop computer/ laptop 79
Via smartphone 39
Via tablet 35
Through a connected TV 12
Other 1
Q23. Thinking about the BBC Wales news online, what is your overall impression on a scale of
1 to 10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE
CODE.
Base: All who use BBC Wales online (215) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable *
2 -
3 1
4 1
5 5
6 9
7 22
8 31
9 17
10 - Extremely favourable 14
NET: Unfavourable (1 to 3) 1
NET: Neutral (4 to 7) 36
NET: Favourable (8 to 10) 62
Don’t know 1
Q24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH.
ROTATE STARTING POINT.
BBC Wales news online
Base: All who use BBC Wales online (215)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) … is informative 91 43 48 7 1 * 1 *
b) … is relevant to me
83 35 48 15 1 * 2 *
c) … is high quality 81 43 39 15 2 * 3 *
d) … provides the right amount of news for my area
71 31 40 17 9 3 11 1
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 101
Q25a. The BBC has a duty to ‘inform, educate and entertain’ the UK public in return for the
licence fee that is charged.
BBC Wales news online has commitments with regards to the news it provides for your area.
You will be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think BBC Wales
online is doing on each of these. Please consider carefully before giving your answer. To what
extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH.
RANDOMISE STARTING POINT.
BBC Wales news online
Base: All who use BBC Wales online (215)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor
disagree %
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagre
e %
Don’t know
%
a) … provides high quality, independent news
82 37 44 14 1 1 3 1
b) … provides me with up to date news about Wales
89 40 49 8 1 1 2 1
c) …is relevant to me
79 36 43 17 3 1 3 1
d) … provides information of local interests, such as sport, culture/arts and events
79 33 46 13 5 2 6 2
e) … sources or shares content with other providers of local information
65 25 40 19 1 3 5 11
f) … provides clear links to other local media and information providers
66 23 42 20 2 4 6 8
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 102
Q25b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that…? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH.
RANDOMISE STARTING POINT.
BBC Wales news online
Base: All who use BBC Wales online (215) NET:
Important %
Very importa
nt %
Quite importa
nt %
Neither important nor
unimportant %
Quite unimpor
tant %
Very unimpor
tant %
NET: Unimportant
%
Don’t know
%
g) … provides high quality, independent news
90 63 27 9 * - * 1
h) … provides me with up to date news about Wales
90 65 26 8 1 - 1 1
i) …is relevant to me 85 47 39 12 1 * 1 1
j) … provides information of local interests, such as sport, culture/arts and events
83 43 40 14 1 1 2 1
k) … sources or shares content with other providers of local information
70 31 39 20 6 2 8 2
l) … provides clear links to other local media and information providers
69 30 39 21 5 3 7 2
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 103
Northern Ireland
SECTION 1: Claimed use
Q1. Which, if any, of the following ways do you access news and information for Northern
Ireland? MULTICODE. CATI: READ OUT.
Base: All respondents (514) %
TV (e.g. local or regional news bulletins on BBC One or ITV) 91
Internet sites, apps or blogs (not including social media) 66
Local newspapers 58
Local radio stations (e.g. BBC, commercial or community radio) 56
Social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) 47
Other sources of Northern Irish news 2
Q2. Which, if any, of the following ways do you use the BBC for national and Northern Irish
news and current affairs? MULTICODE. CATI: READ OUT.
Base: All respondents (514) %
BBC Northern Ireland TV news (e.g. regional news bulletins on BBC One) 86
BBC Northern Ireland news online 45
Northern Ireland current affairs/political programmes on TV 44
BBC Radio Ulster 37
Social media (e.g. your BBC Northern Ireland or BBC Radio Ulster Foyle on Facebook or Twitter)
31
BBC Northern Ireland pages on the BBC News App 17
BBC Radio Foyle 9
None of the above 4
Other 3
Q4. Thinking about the BBC generally, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10,
where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All respondents (514) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 4
2 2
3 2
4 5
5 11
6 6
7 13
8 25
9 16
10 - Extremely favourable 15
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) 8
NET: Neutral (4-7) 35
NET: Favourable (8-10) 56
Don’t know 1
Q5. How well does the BBC as a whole serve audiences specifically in Northern Ireland?
SINGLE CODE
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 104
Base: All respondents (514) %
Very well 25
Quite well 51
Neither well or not well 11
Not very well 7
Not well at all 4
Don’t know 2
NET: Well 76
NET: Not well 11
Q6. Why do you not use the BBC for Northern Irish news and current affairs? OPEN END.
Base: All who do not use any BBC outputs (19) N9
Not interested/don’t watch/listen 10
Prefer another station/channel/platform 5
Biased/untrustworthy style of reporting 4
Licence fee/compulsory funding for the BBC 3
Dislike the BBC in general/fell out with the BBC 2
Dislike the presenters/style of presenting/format of presentation 1
Other 2
9 Due to a small base size data are given as numbers rather than percentages.
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 105
SECTION 2: Nations Radio
Q7. Thinking about BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to
10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable?
SINGLE CODE
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable -
2 2
3 2
4 3
5 9
6 10
7 18
8 24
9 15
10 - Extremely favourable 18
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) 3
NET: Neutral (4-7) 40
NET: Favourable (8-10) 57
Q8. Please select all of the kinds of programming that you listen to on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle.
MULTICODE.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194) %
News bulletins throughout the day 75
Breakfast news 64
Daytime talk and discussion programmes 52
Music programmes 42
Sports coverage 31
Comedy 28
Documentaries 22
Arts and culture 17
Drama 12
Other 5
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 106
Q9. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements using the following
scale? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
CATI: READ SCALE: READ OUT
Q10a. BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle should be a speech-led service for listeners seeking programmes about the life, culture and affairs of Northern Ireland. In addition to local and national concerns, output should also address matters of UK and international significance from a Northern Ireland perspective. BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle should offer some highly targeted local programming and support for BBC community stations. You will be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle is doing on each of these. Please consider carefully before giving your answer. To what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194) NET:
Agree %
Definitely
agree %
Tend to
agree %
Neither agree nor
disagree %
Tend to
disagree %
Definitely
disagree %
NET: Disagr
ee %
Don’t know
%
a) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle provides high quality news
82 44 39 13 3 2 5 -
b) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Northern Ireland
81 39 41 13 6 * 6 1
c) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in the UK
60 24 36 27 10 1 11 1
d) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle helps me understand what's going on in the wider world, such as international news and events
57 22 35 28 13 2 15 *
e) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle has the right balance of serious and lighter news stories
67 30 38 23 7 1 8 1
f) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle helps me understand politics in Northern Ireland
69 31 38 19 4 5 9 3
g) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle helps me understand UK-wide politics
50 12 38 33 10 4 15 2
h) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle supports arts and 65 22 43 27 4 1 5 3
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194) NET:
Agree %
Defin-itely
agree %
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree
nor dis-agree
%
Tend to dis-
agree %
Defin-itely disa-gree %
NET: Disa-gree
Don’t know
%
a) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle is informative
87 37 49 10 2 * 2 1
b) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle provides high quality programming
76 32 44 17 5 2 6 *
c) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle is distinctive compared with other radio stations
75 30 45 20 4 1 4 1
d) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle has programmes that are entertaining
73 30 43 18 6 1 7 2
BBC Trust Nations Survey, 2016 - Report
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ISO 20252 AND ISO 27001 107
culture in Northern Ireland
i) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle supports Northern Irish music
70 28 42 23 4 1 5 1
j) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle introduces me to new presenters, performers and artists from Northern Ireland
67 23 43 23 7 2 8 2
k) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle provides coverage of a variety of sport
69 58 74 65 68 83 76 69
l) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle is good at portraying my particular culture or community to other people in Northern Ireland
24 22 30 22 23 37 31 24
m) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle provides content and programming that caters for the population of Northern Ireland
45 36 44 43 44 46 45 45
n) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle reflects my local interests and concerns
18 25 21 23 23 13 19 18
o) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle reflects the diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Northern Ireland
6 11 3 9 6 2 4 6
p) When listening to BBC Ulster Foyle, I hear a range of voices from around Northern Ireland
* 2 1 2 2 1 2 *
q) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle highlights to me important social issues
6 14 4 11 7 3 5 6
Q10b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that….? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194) NET:
Important %
Very Importa
nt %
Quite importa
nt %
Neither important nor
unimportant
%
Quite unimpo
rtant %
Very unimpo
rtant %
NET: Unimportant
%
Don’t know
%
a) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle provides high quality news
90 55 35 8 2 - 2 *
b) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Northern Ireland
85 46 38 14 1 - 1 *
c) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in the UK
71 32 39 21 6 1 7 1
d) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle helps me understand what's going on in the wider world, such as international news and events
67 30 37 24 6 3 9 *
e) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle has the right balance of serious and lighter news stories
74 31 42 23 2 1 3 *
f) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle helps me understand politics in Northern Ireland
70 35 35 20 4 3 7 2
g) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle helps me understand UK-wide politics
60 24 36 31 3 5 8 1
h) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle supports arts and culture in Northern Ireland
67 34 33 22 5 3 8 2
i) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle supports 67 33 34 20 9 3 12 1
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Northern Irish music
j) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle introduces me to new presenters, performers and artists from Northern Ireland
64 29 34 22 8 4 12 1
k) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle provides coverage of a variety of sport
55 26 29 25 9 9 18 2
l) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle is good at portraying my particular culture or community to other people in Northern Ireland
67 28 39 26 6 1 7 *
m) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle provides content and programming that caters for the population of Northern Ireland
79 39 40 15 3 1 5 *
n) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle reflects my local interests and concerns
82 39 42 15 1 1 2 1
o) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle reflects the diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Northern Ireland
68 34 34 20 6 5 11 1
p) When listening to BBC Ulster Foyle, I hear a range of voices from around Northern Ireland
69 31 38 25 4 1 6 *
q) BBC Radio Ulster Foyle highlights to me important social issues
80 37 42 16 4 1 4 *
Q11a. Would you say that there is too much, just the right amount, or not enough listener
participation on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle?
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194) %
Too much 12
Just right 71
Not enough 10
Don’t know 7
Q12. Thinking about BBC Radio Ulster Foyle’s website (e.g. where you can listen live, catch up
on shows you’ve missed and access clips and podcasts), what is your overall impression - on
a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable?
SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who listen to BBC Radio Ulster Foyle (194) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 1
2 1
3 1
4 1
5 6
6 7
7 12
8 13
9 8
10 - Extremely favourable 7
NET: Unfavourable (1-3) 3
NET: Neutral (4-7) 26
NET: Favourable (8-10) 27
Do not use the BBC Radio Ulster Foyle’s website 40
Did not know BBC Radio Ulster Foyle had a website 3
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Section 3: Nations Television News and Current Affairs
Q13. Which, if any, of BBC Northern Ireland’s TV news or current affairs/political programmes
do you tend to watch? Please select all that apply. MULTICODE.
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland television news or current affairs (458)
%
BBC Newsline 79
UK Wide News e.g. BBC news at Six; BBC News at Ten 52
Spotlight 51
BBC News Channel 41
BBC Breakfast on Network Radio e.g. Radio 4’s Today Programme or Radio 5 Live
20
The View 19
Stormont Today 12
Sunday Politics 11
Other 5
I don’t watch BBC Northern Ireland’s news or current affairs programmes 4
Q14. The BBC’s television news for Northern Ireland is provided on BBC1 alongside news for
the whole UK (at 1pm, 6pm, 10pm). To what extent do you agree that these programmes taken
together serve you with…? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who use UK wide news (232)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
a) High quality and trustworthy daily news
82 44 38 11 4 1 5
b) A mix of UK, international and Northern Irish news that feels relevant to me
85 41 44 10 4 1 5
c) A good balance of UK, international and Northern Irish news
85 45 40 10 4 1 4
Q14X. To what extent to you agree that [PULL THROUGH EITHER OR BOTH BBC NEWS
CHANNEL AND/OR BBC BREAKFAST ON NETWORK RADIO] provides you with a good
balance of UK, international and Northern Ireland news? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who watch BBC News Channel or BBC Breakfast on Network Radio (216)
%
Definitely agree 34
Tend to agree 46
Neither agree nor disagree 13
Tend to disagree 4
Definitely disagree 2
Don’t know *
NET: Agree 80
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NET: Disagree 7
Q15. Thinking about BBC Northern Ireland’s TV News within the UK wide broadcasts at 1pm,
6pm and 10pm, what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely
unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who watch UK-wide news (232) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable *
2 2
3 1
4 3
5 6
6 6
7 13
8 26
9 22
10 - Extremely favourable 18
NET: Unfavourable (1 to 3) 3
NET: Neutral (4 to 7) 29
NET: Favourable (8 to 10) 66
Don’t know 1
Q17. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding BBC
Northern Ireland’s television news? BBC Northern Ireland’s television news programmes
are…?
SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Northern Ireland’s television news (448)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree
nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
… informative 85 37 48 10 3 1 4 1
… high quality 75 37 38 18 5 1 6 1
… different from other providers
49 16 33 35 10 3 13 2
… relevant to me 76 34 42 17 5 2 6 1
… engaging 64 24 40 26 6 2 8 2
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Q18a. You will be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think BBC
Northern Ireland News is doing on each of these. Please consider carefully before giving your
answer. To what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Northern
Ireland News…? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Northern Ireland’s television news (448)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree
nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) ... provides high quality, independent news
74 32 42 17 5 3 8 1
b) … provides accurate and up-to-date news
81 40 41 15 2 1 3 1
c) ... helps me understand politics and decision-making in Northern Ireland
64 24 39 21 7 6 13 2
d) ... gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Northern Ireland
76 34 42 16 4 2 6 1
e) … relates national and international news to my region
76 27 50 16 5 2 7 1
f) … represents Northern Ireland
75 34 42 17 5 1 6 1
g) … provides additional content on social media such as Facebook and Twitter
50 19 31 18 2 1 3 29
h) … provides content online e.g. Video clips
64 24 39 16 2 * 2 18
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Q18b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that… ? SINGLE CODE FOR
EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Northern Ireland’s television news (448)
NET: Important
%
Very important
%
Quite important
%
Neither important
nor unimporta
nt %
Quite unimporta
nt %
Very unimporta
nt %
NET: Unimport
ant %
Don’t know
%
a) ... provides high quality, independent news
86 55 31 12 1 1 2 1
b) … provides accurate and up-to-date news
90 62 28 8 1 * 2 1
c) ... helps me understand politics and decision-making in Northern Ireland
72 37 36 18 5 5 9 1
d) ... gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Northern Ireland
83 46 37 13 2 1 3 1
e) … relates national and international news to my region
83 44 39 13 3 1 4 *
f) … represents Northern Ireland
86 56 30 11 1 1 3 1
g) … provides additional content on social media such as Facebook and Twitter
43 19 24 24 10 13 23 10
h) … provides content online e.g. Video clips
55 19 36 22 9 7 16 8
Q19. Thinking about the BBC Northern Ireland’s current affairs/political programmes on TV,
what is your overall impression on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable
and 10 means extremely favourable? SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (228) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable *
2 1
3 3
4 3
5 8
6 10
7 15
8 24
9 20
10 - Extremely favourable 17
Don’t know *
NET: Unfavourable (1 to 3) 4
NET: Neutral (4 to 7) 36
NET: Favourable (8 to 10) 60
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Q20. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements? BBC Northern
Ireland’s current affairs/political programmes…? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE
STARTING POINT.
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (228)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) … are informative 84 40 44 10 3 3 5 1
b) … are high quality 79 39 40 16 2 3 5 -
c) … are relevant to me 78 32 46 17 4 2 6 -
d) … are engaging 76 28 48 17 5 2 7 *
Q21a. You will now be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think
the BBC Northern Ireland’s current affairs/political programming is doing on each of these.
Please consider carefully before giving your answer. To what extent to you agree or disagree
with the following statements? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
BBC Northern Ireland’s current affairs/political programmes
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (228)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) ... covers a wide range of topics and subject matter
81 37 43 12 6 1 7 *
b) …are relevant to me 77 33 44 15 6 2 8 *
c) ... gives me a better understanding of topical issues in Northern Ireland
79 36 43 12 6 3 9 1
d) ... explains complex issues
77 31 45 14 6 2 8 1
e) ... holds decision makers in Northern Ireland to account
69 28 41 15 12 3 15 1
f) ... investigates and scrutinises issues and institutions
81 39 42 11 5 3 8 *
g) … reflects local issues and concerns
83 41 42 11 3 2 5 2
h) … covers the important political stories in Northern Ireland
89 43 46 9 2 * 2 *
i) … provides political analysis
82 39 43 11 4 1 5 1
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Q21b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that….? SINGLE CODE FOR
EACH. ROTATE STARTING POINT.
BBC Northern Ireland’s current affairs/political programmes
Base: All who watch BBC Current Affairs programming (228)
NET: Important
%
Very important
%
Quite important
%
Neither important
nor unimporta
nt %
Quite unimporta
nt %
Very unimporta
nt %
NET: Unimport
ant %
Don’t know
%
a) ... covers a wide range of topics and subject matter
89 51 38 8 2 1 3 -
b) …are relevant to me
87 46 41 10 2 1 3 -
c) ... gives me a better understanding of topical issues in Northern Ireland
88 52 37 9 2 1 3 -
d) ... explains complex issues
86 51 35 9 3 2 4 *
e) ... holds decision makers in Northern Ireland to account
88 57 31 8 2 1 3 *
f) ... investigates and scrutinises issues and institutions
88 52 35 8 2 2 3 1
g) … reflects local issues and concerns
91 60 30 7 1 2 2 *
h) … covers the important political stories in Northern Ireland
88 57 31 9 2 1 3 -
i) … provides political analysis
82 45 36 13 2 3 5 1
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Section 4: BBC Northern Ireland News Online
Q22. How do you tend to access the BBC Northern Ireland news online? MULTICODE.
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland online (264) %
Via desktop computer/ laptop 64
Via smartphone 51
Via tablet 37
Through a connected TV 20
Other 2
Q23. Thinking about the BBC Northern Ireland news online, what is your overall impression on
a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means extremely unfavourable and 10 means extremely favourable?
SINGLE CODE.
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland online (264) %
1 - Extremely unfavourable 1
2 1
3 1
4 2
5 7
6 8
7 18
8 25
9 20
10 - Extremely favourable 16
NET: Unfavourable (1 to 3) 3
NET: Neutral (4 to 7) 36
NET: Favourable (8 to 10) 60
Don’t know 2
Q24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH.
ROTATE STARTING POINT.
BBC Northern Ireland news online
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland online (264)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor disagree
%
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagree
%
Don’t know
%
a) … is informative 85 35 50 10 3 1 3 1
b) … is relevant to me
77 30 47 16 5 1 6 1
c) … is high quality 77 33 44 17 3 1 4 2
d) … provides the right amount of news for my area
72 23 48 15 9 2 11 2
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Q25a. The BBC has a duty to ‘inform, educate and entertain’ the UK public in return for the
licence fee that is charged.
BBC Northern Ireland news online has commitments with regards to the news it provides for
your area. You will be asked to consider a number of statements and rate how well you think
BBC Northern Ireland online is doing on each of these. Please consider carefully before giving
your answer. To what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements? SINGLE
CODE FOR EACH. RANDOMISE STARTING POINT.
BBC Northern Ireland news online
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland online (264)
NET: Agree
%
Definitely agree
%
Tend to agree
%
Neither agree nor
disagree %
Tend to disagree
%
Definitely disagree
%
NET: Disagre
e %
Don’t know
%
a) … provides high quality, independent news
77 34 42 15 3 2 6 3
b) … provides me with up to date news about Northern Ireland
86 42 44 10 1 1 2 2
c) …is relevant to me
80 31 48 14 4 1 4 2
d) … provides information of local interests, such as sport, culture/arts and events
72 27 45 17 5 1 5 5
e) … sources or shares content with other providers of local information
56 19 37 26 4 - 4 15
f) … provides clear links to other local media and information providers
60 18 43 23 9 1 9 7
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Q25b. How important or unimportant is it for you personally that…? SINGLE CODE FOR EACH.
RANDOMISE STARTING POINT.
BBC Northern Ireland news online
Base: All who use BBC Northern Ireland online (264) NET:
Important %
Very importa
nt %
Quite importa
nt %
Neither important nor
unimportant %
Quite unimpor
tant %
Very unimpor
tant %
NET: Unimportant
%
Don’t know
%
a) … provides high quality, independent news
89 54 35 7 2 * 2 2
b) … provides me with up to date news about Northern Ireland
91 57 34 6 2 * 2 2
c) …is relevant to me 86 42 44 11 2 1 2 1
d) … provides information of local interests, such as sport, culture/arts and events
78 32 46 14 4 1 5 3
e) … sources or shares content with other providers of local information
63 24 40 26 5 * 5 5
f) … provides clear links to other local media and information providers
64 23 42 25 7 1 7 4
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Appendix 6: Differences in claimed radio listening by age
When analysing this data, the small base sizes must be taken into account as few of the
apparent differences are statistically significant. For example, when comparing 16-34s and
35-54s in Scotland, the bases of 35 and 48 mean that responses need to differ by around 20
percentage points to be considered statistically significant at the 95% confidence interval.
For more on statistical reliability, see Appendix 2.
Scotland Those aged 35-54 frequently express the most positive and favourable views.
Older listeners in Scotland are more frequently dissatisfied, with those aged 55+
generally giving the lowest scores.
Scotland (Radio listeners: 142) 16-34 (n=35)
35-54 (n=48)
55+ (n=59)
Q7. Radio Scotland: % Favourable 56% 46% 56%
Q8. Listen to: news bulletins 40% 53% 57%
Q8. Listen to: drama 26%l 13% 10%
Q8. Listen to: documentaries 28% 22% 17%
Q9. Radio Scotland: is informative 66% 87% 84%
… provides high-quality programming 71% 75% 64%
... is distinctive compared with other radio stations 61% 66% 55%
… has programmes that are entertaining 59% 63% 57%
Q10a Radio Scotland: provides high quality news 74% 75% 72%
…gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Scotland.
73% 71% 68%
… gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in the UK
57% 65% 56%
… helps me understand what's going on in the wider world, such as international news and events
54% 57% 60%
… has the right balance of serious and lighter news stories 61% 64% 50%
… helps me understand politics in Scotland 65% 63% 65%
… helps me understand UK-wide politics 53% 54% 51%
… supports arts and culture in Scotland 57% 58% 60%
… supports Scottish music 59% 72% 51%
… introduces me to new presenters, performers and artists from Scotland
48% 60% 43%
… provides coverage of a variety of sport 61% 75% 62%
… is good at portraying my particular culture or community to other people in Scotland
48% 44% 32%
… provides content and programming that caters for the population of Scotland
70% 69% 56%
… reflects my local interests and concerns 52% 49% 47%
… reflects the diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Scotland.
54% 59% 35%
When listening to… I hear a range of voices from around Scotland.
63% 78% 76%
… highlights to me important social issues 61% 60% 56%
Q11a. Listener participation: Just right 66% 77% 66%
Q12. BBC Radio Scotland website: % favourable 40% 26% 23%
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Wales
Those aged 16-34 are generally the most positive and express the most favourable
views.
Those aged 35-54 are more frequently dissatisfied, often giving the lowest scores.
Wales (Radio listeners: 131) 16-34
(n = 28) 35-54
(n = 33) 55+
(n = 70)
Q7. Radio Wales: % Favourable 64% 63% 61%
Q8. Listen to: news bulletins 70% 64% 67%
Q8. Listen to: drama 24% 27% 23%
Q8. Listen to: documentaries 24% 24% 23%
Q9. Radio Wales: is informative 93% 81% 91%
… provides high-quality programming 89% 82% 83%
... is distinctive compared with other radio stations 73% 72% 73%
… has programmes that are entertaining 85% 82% 82%
Q10a BBC Radio Wales: provides high quality news 90% 83% 93%
…gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Wales.
88% 82% 88%
… gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in the UK
85% 75% 80%
… helps me understand what's going on in the wider world, such as international news and events
83% 79% 74%
… has the right balance of serious and lighter news stories 84% 82% 83%
… helps me understand politics in Wales 71% 75% 75%
… helps me understand UK-wide politics 68% 68% 71%
… supports arts and culture in Wales 74% 77% 76%
… supports Welsh music 80% 72% 72%
… introduces me to new presenters, performers and artists from Wales
78% 72% 74%
… provides coverage of a variety of sport 69% 79% 80%
… is good at portraying my particular culture or community to other people in Wales
70% 65% 67%
… provides content and programming that caters for the population of Wales
74% 88% 88%
… reflects my local interests and concerns 84% 82% 71%
… reflects the diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Wales. 62% 68% 64%
When listening to… I hear a range of voices from around Wales. 65% 87% 80%
… highlights to me important social issues 88% 83% 82%
Q11a. Listener participation: Just right 90% 75% 57%
Q12. BBC Radio Wales website: % favourable 46% 31% 37%
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Northern Ireland
The most positive and favourable views are most frequently expressed by older
listeners, those aged 55 and over.
There are many similarities in views between the oldest and youngest listeners (55+
and 16-34)
The most negative views are generally expressed by those aged between 35 and 54.
Northern Ireland (Radio listeners: 194) 16-34
(n = 43) 35-54
(n = 66) 55+
(n = 85)
Q7. Radio Ulster/Foyle: % Favourable 58% 47% 63%
Q8. Listen to: news bulletins 61% 77% 80%
Q8. Listen to: drama 16% 3% 16%
Q8. Listen to: documentaries 19% 16% 27%
Q9. Radio Ulster/Foyle: is informative 87% 80% 90%
… provides high-quality programming 75% 72% 79%
... is distinctive compared with other radio stations 78% 70% 76%
… has programmes that are entertaining 84% 66% 72%
Q10a Radio Ulster/Foyle: provides high quality news 82% 73% 88%
…gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in Northern Ireland.
84% 71% 85%
… gives me a better understanding of news and topical issues in the UK
69% 45% 66%
… helps me understand what's going on in the wider world, such as international news and events
56% 47% 64%
… has the right balance of serious and lighter news stories 60% 65% 73%
… helps me understand politics in Northern Ireland 63% 67% 74%
… helps me understand UK-wide politics 52% 46% 53%
… supports arts and culture in Northern Ireland 74% 65% 61%
… supports Northern Irish music 83% 63% 69%
… introduces me to new presenters, performers and artists from Northern Ireland
76% 60% 67%
… provides coverage of a variety of sport 76% 62% 71%
… is good at portraying my particular culture or community to other people in Northern Ireland
61% 56% 58%
… provides content and programming that caters for the population of Northern Ireland
75% 69% 76%
… reflects my local interests and concerns 69% 60% 67%
… reflects the diverse faiths, cultures and communities of Northern Ireland.
71% 61% 71%
When listening to… I hear a range of voices from around Northern Ireland.
80% 79% 87%
… highlights to me important social issues 74% 68% 82%
Q11a. Listener participation: Just right 72% 74% 69%
Q12. BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle website: % favourable 34% 19% 29%
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