[scottishtv]

I miss Alan Dedicoat telling us to go down the post office and quote "Freepay 1066" at the Giro Bank clerk as much as the next person, but the organisation does need to move with the fundraising times.

Children in Need gives financial grants to over 2,000 organisations - including one for disabled children right on my doorstep - and they all want consistant income and less risk.

The strategy of branching out onto other programmes over a longer period and across TV and radio clearly helps CiN guarantee a certain income level and encourages multiple donations. Putting all your hope into one night on linear TV is much higher risk.

Moving to every two years would introduce more uncertainty, and put greater pressure on raising massive sums on a single night.

Yes, there's less telethon glitz, glamour and content than years gone by, but (for better or worse) it's all about maximising the return on money spent - especially now the BBC itself isn't as awash with cash as in the past.