Talk to the BBC Trust about the future of the BBC and you could win a £300 voucher NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

We've been asked by the BBC Trust to find out what Mumsnetters would like to see from the BBC in future.

The BBC Trust says "Over the next eighteen months, really important decisions are being made about the future of the BBC. The Government is reviewing the BBC’s Royal Charter, the foundation on which the BBC is built. This happens once in a decade, so it’s a rare chance for you, who pay for the BBC, to have your say on its future."

Please let us know your answers to the questions below:

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?
• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?
• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?
• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?
• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?
• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Please also feel free to add any other comments you have. If you’d like to share more of your views on the future of the BBC you can complete the BBC Trust’s short survey: www.bbc.co.uk/tomorrowsbbc

Everyone who posts on the thread will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher*

Thanks and good luck,
MNHQ

• provided by MNHQ

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I adore it, it's one of a few things (including the NHS and what used to be a welfare state) that the British should be bursting with pride for.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

The same number of services, but I would opt for less content, and higher quality. There are a few core things I'm interested in on iplayer (basically drama and journalism) and the rest I think.... meh. Though I do support sport on the BBC (if not personally interested). I would support it even more if women's sport featured somewhere at least remotely proportionately.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Always more drama! Please never ever cut your radio programming, especially by and for women. This is a comment more about quality than quantity, but I think the BBC's news journalism is really lacking, frankly. NPR (National Public Radio) in the US puts it to shame for tacking difficult issues head on.

And more women across the board please, especially in news, current affairs (so tired of shouty men on the Today programme) and show women's sport for pity's sake!

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Fawning over government ministers. Repeating deeply tired soundbites in place of a news bulletin.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes, I do, because I think (when compared with other media outlets) it is broad based and inclusive, and believes it is objective.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Its drama is, and some other things - nature programmes, for example, are really distinctive. But it's losing its grip on the public part of public broadcasting..... its social commentary is entirely too safe and conservative (small and big C) and I think history will not judge the last 10 years in the UK, or the BBC's failure to speak up on behalf of working people, kindly.

Just gave them my views!

My feelings are simple.
I don't like watching things on the internet, neither does my partner or any of my friends.
We simply want them to keep bbc3. That's all!

Damm i should have put in that i love it when they show coverage from reading/leeds/download on bbc3.
Should have said less football too!

Please don't scrap the licence fee! It's a fairly small amount for quality programming NOT dictated by advertisers (for reasons why this is bad look at the fact that the other terrestrial channels have pretty much the same crap quality programming).

It would severely affect impartiality of political and ethical qualities too plus its nice to be able to watch programmes without sodding adverts every 10 mins!

It might be a fairly small amount to you Baconyum, but every has to pay the same amount, regardless of their income.

Single parents, the unemployed, the disabled. It's not applied fairly.

I also don't think £145 for nothing is a small amount. I get nothing for my money because the BBC offers nothing that interests me.

They don't have t scrap it altogether but it could be applied more faorly. The suggestion a PP had was a good one, let those who want the full service pay the £145 and those who don't pay per view.

Other companies manage it. If I wasn't going to be watching Netflix for 2 months I could put my account on hold and pay again when I was ready to watch.

Actually I'm a single disabled mum on benefits. 12 quid a month is perfectly reasonable.

Agree that it should be possible to opt out though and not have access to the service.

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I think it is an asset to our country, generally speaking I think it does a good job and I wholeheartedly approve of the lack of adverts.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I think it should provide less for the current level of licence fee. I think they've tried to be all things to all men, and stretched themselves to thinly. Its better to do a really great job on a small number of things than a mediocre effort on lots of things. Things I reckon they should keep - TV: bbc 1 / 2, and possibly one extra channel to do arts / concerts (covering all genres of music) / one off events etc., then radio: keep 1 / 2 / 3 / 4. iPlayer is really useful as is the website - I particularly like the bbc news site, however the main bbc.co.uk website is vast - it is more like an encyclopaedia and whilst I've found it very useful, I can see they could reduce the number of pages whilst still being of use to people. The BBC shouldn't try to be a library of information on their website, thats what libraries are for!

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Unique and individual programs - covering art, drama, sporting (unusual) activities and documentaries.

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Less soap operas (always sordid, miserable plot lines - people taking pleasure out of other people's miseries) - why dwell on awful things, when something more positive could be shown where people overcome diversity, or make something out of nothing?

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Its not a straightforward yes or no. Some programs are high quality, they are well thought out, carefully scripted, well-chosen presenters / actors etc. For example, some of the programs featuring Lucy Worsley. Others are just cheaply produced dross. Radio 4 is usually awesome, lots of lovely people, intelligent people, covering very diverse topics in an accessible way. I have come across subjects / topics I had no idea even existed, and Women's Hour is very relevant to modern women (I've just turned 36 so I'm not 'ancient'). Reality TV shows are the worst - more often than not, foolish people doing anything and everything for their 15 minutes of fame! The BBC are also prone to repeating things far too often on TV. Hence I suggest less TV channels. Ditto with music - too much attention is given to current top 40 music, but what about the vast array of other music genres out there - folk, cultural music from other countries etc? John Peel was great at this - so sad he's not here anymore!

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

It used to be, but its loosing its grip. By spreading the money too thinly, they can't invest in new things they way they used to. Kids tv is often quite poor especially for kids aged about 7 to 14ish. CBeebies is generally good, although repetitive, but CBBC is quite obviously scraping the barrel in comparison. Goodness knows what teenagers get to watch! Every now and then some star comes out - like the Colin Firth / Jennifer Ehle Pride and Prejudice, or Great British Bake Off (but thats loosing its lustre a bit after the umpteenth series?), but the rest of it? Its a bit meh. Lots of cookery programs and gardening programs and nature programs - could be good but follow the same formats. Also presenters diction can be poor, and with backing music, it can be hard to hear what they are saying.

I love the BBC, I think it was great, and it could be again. It shouldn't try to be another Sky or Netflix, it should remember what its for - to entertain and educate the people of britain (by educate I mean things like David Atinborough's amazing programs, or Michael Palin's exploration programs). I don't think it should be spending millions of pounds on getting big sports matches, instead it should branch out, explore other types of sports that get little or no coverage. Be adventurous!

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?
I like the BBC and always think they provide more good quality dramas than any other channel.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

Compared to other TV services such as Sky (which I don't have) its good value for money.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Equestrian sport & dramas

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Documentaries that are really just real life soaps

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes the majority is good quality

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Distinctive yes, fresh only occasionally when a new drama comes out for instance. I mean I like Casualty but Saturday nights viewing has been the same for years.

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

Unique organisation which provides a high quality set of programs suitable for everyone. It is very important to me that it is an ad free environment: I want to be entertained and informed, I don't want to be sold to. I don't want commercial concerns getting in the way of the news that is broadcast to me.

It is also very important to me that my children are not sold to while they watch television and that they have good quality, appropriate programming.

We gave up Sky because the commercial kids channels portrayed so much violence that our 6 year old started copying it. Cancelling Ben10 etc sorted that out immediately. Moving to the BBC, my children started getting away from these US cartoons and looking at some more educational programs (eg Deadly 60 etc). This was

Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?
Pretty happy with the mix at the moment.

What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?
Family drama series like Sherlock. We really enjoy watching that with our 10 year old.

What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?
Love the news. But there's too much repeating again and again on one medium and then the next.

Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Yes in the main. Comedy is not always that great though. (I watched something excruciating about sheep farmers the other day)

Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not
Usually I could switch on a channel and know it was BBC. Mainly this is due to production values, although ITV has begun to mimic the BBC's traditional strength in drama, but they are usually a bit more extreme than BBC offerings. There are pockets of "freshness" which is probably about right for a mainstream channel.

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

Love it.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

Richer iPlayer content, but making iPlayer a paid service (free if you have a licence already).

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Commercialising iPlayer, making more internationally collaborative drama.

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Reality shows, cop-out television like GBBO.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

When it has the budget, yes - An Honourable Woman was outstanding.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes-ish. I understand that things like An Honourable Woman cost a fortune to make, but I also think that by monetising digital content (iPlayer) and following the Netflix model, they can dramatically improve their revenues, and thus have more to spend on high quality international drama.

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I think it's great. A good variety of programmes to suit all tastes. Good quality programming and content.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I think it's just right.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

I'd like to see it make some more intelligent punchy dramas. Most of the dramas I watch are from the US: The West Wing, The Wire, Deadwood, Breaking Bad etc. Dramas with snappy dialogue that don't insult the intelligence of the audience. There isn't anything like this on British TV, with the odd exception e.g. Shadowline. I have no idea why it's so sparse.

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

I'm not fussed about the mainstream uprimetime stuff on BBC 1. I think it's all pretty bland. But I appreciate that's just my taste.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes. Apart from daytime and mainstream primetime stuff, it's all great. CBeebies, Radio 4, sports coverage. And I love BBC 4. Please don't get rid of it, or ever compromise it's content! It's fantastic!

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Definitely distinctive. BBC still means "quality" to me. Don't know about fresh - probably the more nichey stuff like 6 Music, or the whackier documentaries on Radio 4.

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

• generally I'm proud of it, am glad it exists and am happy that it is publically funded.

Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

• all of these are good things, provided the quality is high. The World Service is very important, as is domestic radio.

What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

• more good quality, original drama, documentary, politics and comedy on both television and radio. More indie film, world cinema and British made film.

What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

• talent shows and soaps. I'd also like to see less money paid out to 'talent' and more new 'talent' coming through. I think ordinary people are quite shocked at the paybill for individual actors/presenters on the BBC. We also perceive it to be bureaucratic and management-heavy. This may not be true, but the perception is there.

Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

• generally, yes. But chasing ratings does impact quality.

Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

• it can be. When its good its very very good. For me, when something important is happening, I'll go there first.

Overall - great. Good range of programmes, suit most interests.

I think the 'live' services should be provided under the license fee, but iplayer should be by subscription.

I think the world service is crucial.

More of - documentaries, current affairs, debate, quality children's tv and radio.

Less - soaps and cheap dramas. I'd rather see more investment in high quality drama.

bbc is generally high quality, but let's itself down ocassionally in the interest of ratings.

Distinctive and fresh? Not really, but I prefer a measured and consistent approach. Maybe I'm old?

I think the BBC comes into its own on major national occasions. Rightly or wrongly, I always tune to bbc at elections, deaths, major news stories etc.

I do however feel it is pretty left wing, although getting better at offering a balanced opinion.

It's frustrating to hear of 'talent's' high salaries, and the same presenters covering all of the programmes. Equally though, I hate it when a good presenter defects to the commercial side.

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

In general, I think the BBC does a great job and should be protected.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

+1 type services might be useful, but think there's generally a good balance.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Good quality drama and factual programming (OK, that's 2 things).

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Trying to copy ITV/jumping on overrated bandwagons around talent shows, celebrity tat etc.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Largely yes. There is an annoying dumbing down of documentaries, an assumption that everybody needs everything recapped every 5 minutes in case they nodded off for a second, and too much use of irritating dramatisations/graphics etc.

We had to give up listening to the Today programme around the time of the election because the editorial balance seemed so skewed.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why

not?

I'm not even sure what that means! That sort of media buzzword-ism just annoys me. Is "fresh" what the BBC should really be aiming for, or is it more important to get the basics right and produce really good programming?!

- Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I think it is a great institution that has acted pretty badly in the past on some things (Jimmy Savile) but on the whole the quality is good, it is respected worldwide and I am a big fan. Love the children's channels - non commercial TV for kids is brilliant. Also love the quality of the dramas.

- Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I don't think it needs to provide more, although due to cuts the quality of the news isn't what it was. I would re-allocate a chunk of the fluff budget to the serious stuff that commercial channels won't take a risk on.

- What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Good both hardhitting and lighter weight documentaries that are not afraid to be controversial and tell the truth.

- What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Dumbing down - we aren't stupid. Like that awful Wimbledon programme this year and some of the coverage of big events - the Jubilee coverage sticks in my mind as being pretty dire (the ONLY time I have ever switched to Sky News to get better coverage). You don't have to please everyone all the time.

- Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

The children's shows, the coverage of arts and music, of certain sporting events that aren't of a big enough appeal to be elsewhere. All good stuff. Learn from the fiasco that was 2Day at Wimbledon or whatever that car crash was called. There is no need for dumbing down - everyone else does that.

- Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Distinctive yes, fresh, not particularly, but that isn't a bad thing. Less distinctive than in the past, see my comments about the dire coverage of Wimbledon this year - ITV4 would have done it better.

I think the BBC is excellent for entertainment and some factual programmes, and particularly enjoy radio output on 1,2,4 and 6.
I think the balance is about right for what I pay.
I'd like to be able to pay per view for downloads of archive content.
I think there is something for everyone, so while I don't necessarily like soaps, magazine programmes, some sports, bake off and dancing/talent shows I know they all have huge viewing figures and I'm happy to go with the majority.
Mostly high quality but some editorial decisions on news wind me up. I would like to see more investigative journalism in the style of past content like The Cook Report, as well as reporting.

Some areas of the BBC have distinctive, fresh identities, particularly BBC 3 and 4, and radio stations like 1Xtra, Asian Network and 6Music. These have become national treasures in their own right, and I would like to see them continue to be funded and promoted alongside more 'mainstream' output.

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I think it tries to be all things to all people but often misses. It is best when creating interesting programmes like Happy Valley which was as good as any US series. It also has dreadful quality sports coverage.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I'd say less online stuff - I'm not convinced the role of the bbc is to provide online revision etc... the iplayer is great and pretty much the only way I watch bbc now.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Good quality drama along the lines of Happy Valley.

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Improve the sports coverage. All those hours of Wimbledon but it's mostly just Sue Barker chatting to her friends even when tennis is on. Also please please please please can we get rid of Jonathan Davies from the rugby league coverage - he knows nothing about the game anymore and as the coverage has improved a lot over the last years he sets it back.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Some drama is, Sherlock, Happy Valley etc., some costume drama is, I enjoy Eastenders. I think the comedy has lost its way (Mrs Brown's Boys - seriously?) and it rarely shows edgy stuff - bbc3 ocassionally does. I think they should look to commission some new writers and bring through new writers. If you look at RTE they started creating their own drama and created Love/Hate - it is edgy, modern and fresh. The bbc rarely gives us that level of quality.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

No, I don't - it tries hard but ultimately it's all a bit One Show.

Also I hate the smug quality of Glastonbury especially - that coverage is dire but could be modern and fresh.

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I love it. Having lived abroad there really is nothing else like it.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee? I think it's providing a good range. I do think the loophole about watching IPlayer on catchup should be closed though!
• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of? Good comedy. What's on the BBC is VERY dated and I basically don't watch it.
• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of? I'm not a fan of animal type programmes so personally that - but I don't think many people would agree with me!

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not? Yes. When you compare it with output from other countries the range and quality of the content and production is way better.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not? I think it's distinctive but I'm not sure about fresh (on the core stations at least), but I don't think that really matters.

- Overall, what do you think of the BBC?
It's a fantastic institution that gives a good service at home and commands respect worldwide.

- Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?
Fewer.

- What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?
High-quality output that other stations don't do so well. I'm thinking particularly of documentaries by the likes of David Attenborough, Gardeners World, Panorama, impartial-ish news reporting and features to explain current affairs, TV dramas, Radio 4.

- What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?
Things that commercial servies do already. Radio 1 doesn't do anything that local stations like Heart don't. Radio 3 = Classic FM without adverts. Arty crap = Channel 4. Lowest-common-denominator 'entertainment' like The Voice = ITV.

I also wish that Radio 4 was less posh. Women's Hour seems to be all about middle-class lefty women. I remember listening to a discussion about budgeting to afford private education and wondering why it was considered relevant to the majority of families. How about discussions about issues that affect more ordinary people: supporting children being educated at a failing school, accessing services for children with SEN, planning for the future when stuck in a low-paid job and paying sky-high rents, keeping children in school and out of gangs, dealing effectively with nuisance neighbours?

The BBC iPlayer is excellent, as is the BBC website.

- Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes, most of it. I think of the BBC as solid and dependable and would like it to stay that way, like a trustworthy rock of a friend. It loses quality when it starts trying to appeal to the 'yoof', like an awkward dad dancing at a teenager disco.

*- Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Yes, I think that its iPlayer and website are standard-setting across the media industry, however some of the content is 'me-too' rather than distinctive.

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I like it. We love it when a film is on BBC because there are no ads. BBC news is the number one choice to watch in this house.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

No, I think it's ok.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Original drama and a decent sitcom hasn't happened in a while.

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Half hour programs that seem to be over before they've begun. And too many repeats....
Also it was better (and this is not just the bbc) when kids TV was limited.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes, for the most part. Although BBC3 is scraping the barrel a bit. It seems to be trying to go for the 'channel 4 shock factor', which is actually boring.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Sometimes, sometimes not, but there should be a mix to suit all tastes anyway!!

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?
Love it! An intrinsic part of our national fabric.

Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?
I think the mix is just fine as is.

What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?
Science programs aimed at children, starting at the toddler age with support on-line presence for experiments to do at home.

What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?
I would say sports but I know there is a huge amount of viewership for it.

Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Yes, I think the news reporting is generally second to none.

Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Distinctive, yes, but not necessarily fresh. Having said that I am pleasantly surprised by the Ascent of Women program, that was fresh!

I choose the BBC first.
Would prefer fewer services. I preferred what we had before - BBC1 and 2, Radio 1, 2, 3 and (especially) 4. I feel the quality has been diluted.
More high quality drama, please.
Less sport.
Yes, I believe the BBC produces high quality programmes because it has the budget, facilities and experience to do so.
It is still distinctive, but not fresh. Actually, I don't want 'fresh' but rather to keep with the traditional service. It has always, in my opinion, been a cut above other broadcasters but veering towards what is fresh (when it seems other broadcasters already do this) strikes me as the BBC veering in the wrong direction.

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

A trustworthy organisation and a bit of a national treasure.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

Probably less. TV is main thing we use but iplayer is handy too.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Campaigning for good causes and raising awareness of things that can change the world for the better.

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

raising its fee annually instead of freezing it and not expanding services into less crucial arenas of interest

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

yes - trusted and good programming

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

not sure - at times yes, at times no but doesn't need to be cutting edge - just needs to be trusted and relevant enough.

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I love the BBC. I don't watch much TV except on iplayer but would happily pay the licence fee for radio 4 alone. With iplayer too it's a total bargain let alone everything else.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

It provides masses of services but different ones suit different people so I wouldn't get rid of those I don't personally use. Recently we've become a CBeebies watching household due to small children. I've never used that bit of the BBC before but am certainly appreciating it!

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

A greater variety of catch up programmes and put podcasts (well The Archers at least!) up quicker.

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

I was going to say sport but actually, as with anything, I just ignore the bits I don't like

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes, lots of new programmes and also interesting ones. A good variety of programmes to suit all tastes.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes, lots of new programmes as I said. Cutting edge issues are discussed and this is important.