Tv and radio

A58.

Watching television is one of the great British pastimes! Broadcasting in the United Kingdom is controlled by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). The BBC receives its income from the government, but the private companies controlled by the IBA earn money from advertising.

A59.

National radio is controlled by the BBC, and listeners can choose between four stations. Radio 1 is a pop-music station with news and magazine-style programmes. Radio 2 plays light music and reports on sport. Radio 3 plays classical music whilst Radio 4 has news programmes, drama and general interest programmes. There are many local stations, some private and some run by the BBC. Their programmes consist mainly of music and local news.

A60.

The BBC has two TV channels. BBC 2 has more serious programmes and news features. The IBA is responsible for looking after the regional independent TV companies who broadcast their own programmes and those they have bought from other regions. There is a break for advertisement about every 15-20 minutes. The most recent independent channel is called Channel 4 and it has more specialized programmes than the main channels. All these channels are basically national, with just a few regional programmes, for example extra news programmes.

A61.

Breakfast TV (magazine programmes on BBC and ITV, giving news and interviews from approximately 6 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.) is very popular.

A62.

In general, people think the programmes offered on British television are of a very high standard. Some people, however, are becoming worried about the amount of violence on TV, and the effect this may have on young people. TV and radio are also two of the main teaching channels used by the Open University. This ‘university of the air’ allows many thousands of students to study at home for degrees they never would have obtained in the main educational system. They also have to do without sleep as most of their programmes are broadcast early in the morning or late at night!

A63.

New technology has made it possible for viewers to receive many more programmes into their homes through satellite TV. The 1990s saw many changes in British TV and radio.

1)

National Radio Stations.

2)

The main Broadcasting Organizations in Great Britain.

3)

The Effectiveness of TV and Radio.

4)

BBC and IBA TV Responsibilities.

1)

Teaching through TV and Radio.

2)

Breakfast TV.

3)

The Right to Privacy.

4)

New Technologies for Viewers.

Task 1.

Read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the space in the same line. There is an example at the beginning.

What do you need to become a successful (0) TV personality? The people who are ……(В1) chosen to host TV quiz shows and chat shows seem to have few ……(В2) for the job apart from having an ……(B3) appearance; in the case of woman, this often means being blonde and ……(B4). A certain level of intelligence and education is ……(B5) but most people who work in the media do not seem to be very ……(B6) in any other respects. The sad thing is that TV personalities have a ……(B7) influence on viewers and it is ……(B8) for younger viewers to admire these charming people, wearing the ……(B9) fashions and always smiling. However, today’s youth deserve ……(B10) role models than these

SUCCESS

USUAL

QUALIFY

ATTRACT

BEAUTY

ESSENCE

TALENT

POWER

NATURE

LATE

GOOD

Task 2.

Read the text (B11-B12). Write down two odd words from each sentence in the order they are given in the text.

B11.

In her letter she says she is enjoying doing drama at the university but still finds in the social life of a bit boring.

B12.

We were pleased to hear this and though in fact I had been advised her to make as many friends as she could.

Task 3.

Read text. Fill in the gaps with only one suitable word. The first letter of each missing word is given.