BBC & Simon Cowell

Dear British Broadcasting Corporation,

It has become increasingly obvious that the BBC, in particular, but
not limited to BBC Breakfast, has been featuring more and more
coverage towards the X Factor (the popular ITV show) and other
popular shows involved with Simon Cowell.

Specific recent instances of this include;

Monday 21st November (BBC Breakfast) - X Factor runner up Rebecca
Ferguson discussing her new album, with plenty of references to the
X Factor.

Tuesday 25th October (BBC Breakfast) - Susan Boyle featured - not
specifically related to the X Factor, but yet another act
discovered, promoted and signed to a company specifically related
to Simon Cowell.

Wednesday 16th November (BBC Breakfast) - LJS. Featured under the
guise of Children In Need, but footage from the X Factor was
heavily used, the brand name mentioned and much of the discussion
focussed around the X Factor.

Thursday 17th November - One Direction. Again, promoted under the
guise of Children in Need, however X Factor was again heavily
featured, mentioned and promoted.

Friday 18th November (BBC Breakfast) - Another mention of the X
Factor finals, with considerable airtime and coverage given to the
promotion of the TV show.

Thursday 21st October (BBC Breakfast) - Ronan Park, again not
specifically X Factor related, but in much the same way as Susan
Boyle, he is an act covered by one of the companies related to
Simon Cowell and SyCo.

On Children in Need night alone, One Direction performed 3 songs
with extensive coverage given to them. JLS were also given
considerable coverage and promotion throughout the event. It was
little short of an extended promotional event for these bands.

There are many other instances and it is my belief that BBC are
giving undue promotion and coverage to both Simon Cowell's stable
of acts and are providing undue coverage and promotion to his
televisual shows.

Therefore, I specifically like to know the following;

All instances were acts who came to prominence through a SyCo
production (including, but not limited to X Factor, Britain's Got
Talent) have been featured on a BBC primetime show in 2011, not
just performances but also examples of "editorial" content.

Details of the how these acts were booked to appear on the show and
details of the fees, if any, that were paid to the management / PR
company relating to these appearances along with copies of the
contracts supporting these fees and appearance details.

Yours faithfully,

Richard Johnstone.