FIRST OFF . . .

The turmoil that has plagued the British Broadcasting Corp. in recent months and interrupted radio and television programming on several occasions seems to be nearing an end. The BBC has raised its pay offer from 7% to 8.8% to the unions that have staged a series of strikes, and although union negotiators had been demanding a 16% increase, they are recommending that their 25,000 members accept the improved offer. “If it sticks, we are delighted for our viewers and listeners that they will no longer be subject to the disruption of their program schedules,� said Roger Chase, BBC’s director of personnel. BBC operations had been disrupted 12 times by strikes called on short notice by the National Union of Journalists, the Broadcast and Entertainment Trades Alliance and the Assn. of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians.