IT is difficult not to notice the none-too-subtle changes in BBC TV attitudes and presentation.

Facing competition from cable and satellite, it is obvious that change is essential if their market share is to be retained.

Between-programme 'ads' get trendier and longer (and more expensive?). But the real concern is what is happening to presenters' exchanges with reporters and interviewees.

In a bid to wrest 70 seconds from each minute, reporters and interviewees are increasingly being 'chopped off at the knees' by aggressive, time-conscious presenters.

Prime examples are Gordon Burns on North West Tonight and the formidable Anne Robinson on Watchdog.

"Sorry, we haven't time for that now" is becoming standard procedure. A further downward trend is the 'cast a boulder' syndrome.

BBC TV in Bristol wanted stories on 'uniformed' nasties. Now, BBC TV in Manchester wants 'office pests' stories.

This sort of witch-hunting does little to inform and even less for the standards once synonymous with the BBC.

The BBC seems to be diving headlong into the murky depths where American-style TV lurks.

D PRATT (Mr), Plantation Street, Accrington.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.