§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the BBC on the standards of transmission quality; and if he will make a statement. [68305]
§ Janet AndersonThere have been no such discussions. The BBC is responsible for the transmission of its television services and for ensuring that standards of transmission quality in terms of picture and sound are maintained, as far as is reasonably practicable.
I know of particular concern about the transmission of programmes in widescreen format which results in the appearance of black bands above and below the picture on conventional television receivers. I understand the BBC minimises the size of the bands where possible, in order to strike a balance between delivering improved services offered by new technology and continuing to meet the needs of viewers using conventional systems.