The end of BBC3...sort of

After reading the statement and various articles related to this over the past couple of days the one thing that I am most surprised about is how genuinely annoyed I am by this decision. At the age of 31 I just about fall into the BBC3 demographic of 16-34 year olds (though I know of plenty of people in their 40’s, 50’s and beyond who enjoy BBC3 programming) so in theory I should be more than happy to embrace this new online only medium. 

 

I however, am not. I seldom use BBC iPlayer or any other streaming services for that matter, I still prefer to channel flick and stumble upon new shows or indeed old favourites (besides, my laptop can barely handle it). A quick look at the growing backlash in response to this decision on Twitter would indicate that my viewing habits are in the majority rather than minority, with BBC3 viewers in their teens and 20’s saying that they simply “won’t bother” to watch the channel online (that is backed up Tony Hall himself who said recently that only 2% of people access BBC programming via on demand services). It should also be remembered that not all areas of the country have high speed broadband capable of seamless streaming or that everyone can afford a laptop or tablet to watch the content on, especially those who fall into BBC3’s demographic.

 

The argument made by the BBC that this is a chance to reinvent the channel, embrace new technology and try something truly revolutionary within the broadcast industry does not really stack up to me. It’s a cost saving measure, pure and simple. BBC3 attracts a daily audience of around 4 million people...significantly more than BBC4 and many other BBC channels/stations. It is a channel that has produced shows such as Gavin and Stacey, Being Human and Little Britain all of which went on to become huge hits that have been exported globally by BBC Worldwide. If they could keep it as an on air channel they surely would, but with the BBC license fee having been set for a five year period, an impending review of the enforcement of the license fee itself and greater scrutiny being placed on the corporation after a variety of scandals over the past few years, they need to make significant savings and BBC3 is the easiest target.

 

However, it is not just an easy target from a financial point of view, BBC3 has often been mocked for its on air content with shows like Snog, Marry, Avoid, Don’t Tell The Bride and Hair being the easiest to mock by those who routinely question what the license fee money is spent on. I’m not a fan of any of these shows (Hair, which started recently is just plain awful), but that does not mean that there is not an audience for this type of programming and that the BBC, a public service tasked with producing content for all ages, classes and ethnicities, should not broadcast them. The fact that these shows often draw decent ratings obviously backs up the argument that there is a place for them within the schedules. You don’t have to like them, but for every trashy reality show or tacky documentary, there’s a Him and Her, Bad Education, Pramface or Uncle (which incidently is my favourite new comedy of this year so far).

 

I have seen many comments on social media asking why BBC4 is not getting the axe. I am not as eager to criticise BBC4, it is a fine channel that broadcasts some outstanding programming, but its the type of programming aimed at the audience that the BBC have apparently been keen to distance itself from in recent years, namely middle class over 40’s. I do enjoy certain programmes on BBC4 but so much of their current content could easily be spread across BBC1 and BBC2. Yet BBC4’s future is fully secure, because it is considered ‘worthy’ by many and appeals to the demographic who are at the top of the BBC. It would also be impossible to use the same "the audience will still watch it online" excuse because the channels demographic are even less likely to be into content streaming.

 

One of the best arguments for keeping BBC3 in its current form that I have heard was made by comedian Russell Kane (whose own BBC3 show Live at the Electric gives up and coming comedians a platform on national TV) who said "Monty Python would definitely be on (it) if they were launched today". It almost certainly would, and it begs the question would such a show have enjoyed the same level of global success had it simply been online only...and more importantly would such a programme have even be made in the face of such drastic budget cuts for a less expensive and likely, expansive, online platform?

 

A couple of years ago BBC Radio 6Music was facing the axe, but a hard fought campaign not only ensured that the station remained on the air, but also that it’s listening figures doubled. There has already been talk of another fight to save BBC3 as an on air channel with widespread support from both the public and various high profile celebrities, with a petition of over fifty thousand names (at the time of writing) already backing the campaign. Sadly in this case however I doubt it will do much good, the savings to be had are too great and the BBC have seemingly decided that younger audiences will soon permanently ditch their TV’s in favour of their laptops, tablets and smart phones. Maybe it’s about time I invested in a new laptop...