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News at Ten - bull's eye for the Beeb?
In moving its news bulletins to 10pm, the BBC is hoping for a new dawn,
but there are clouds overhead
Planetary oppositions of Jupiter and Pluto across the Gemini-
Sagittarius axis are shaking up the worlds of media and
publishing, and the BBC's News at Ten heist plugs into this
symbolism. The programme's launch on October 16 has the Moon at
eight degrees of Gemini, next to Jupiter. They are straddling the
fixed star Aldebaran, the angry red eye of the Bull. With
expansive Jupiter involved, the BBC should boost its ratings and
Greg Dyke may think he has pulled off quite a coup. The degree
ascending at the launch is the same degree as the Sun for its ITV
predecessor (July 3 1967). This is rebirth imagery, a new dawn as
the BBC captures the spirit of the ITV original.
However, there are troublesome long-term indications. The
symbolism suggests this will be a defining moment in government
and public attitudes over the thorny dilemma of funding public
service broadcasting alongside commercial channels. The BBC is in
war mode and alongside henchwoman Heggessey, Greg Dyke is
spoiling for a fight. His Mars has progressed to eight degrees of
argumentative Gemini, triggered by the News at Ten Moon. Backing
him all the way is BBC chairman Sir Christopher Bland (May 29
1938) who was born on the day of an eclipse of the sun at the
same Gemini degree. Eclipses put us in the dark and often show up
as an irrational, blind response. Curiously, Greg Dyke was also
born on the day of a solar eclipse, so it is a case of the Bland
leading the blind. Bland's gratuitous riposte to criticism from
the Culture Secretary - "Chris Smith is a license fee payer and
therefore entitled to his view" - could cost the Corporation
dear. Chris Smith is a minister of the Crown (the Sun) which has
granted the Royal Charter, and the attitude of the BBC Governors
will not be forgotten by a future government.
In winning this battle, the BBC may be losing the war. Its
astrology suggests that holding to a public service ethos would
be better than giving ITV one in the eye.
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