Brexitcast - The TV Show

Technically 730am to 830am is a first showing for anyone who only understands sign language

For those in London, sure. For Adam and Katya in Brussels they’ll have less room than they had in London!


A colleague of mine who has been working to get the show on TV asked me some questions as I’d done some (radio) programmes from the studios in Brussels. Interested to see what they’ve managed to sort out for putting them on TV. There weren’t any easy or obvious options.

Budget cuts undoubtedly hit daytime especially but it's more the removal of content that for many years was a staple of the BBC daytime schedule which have left it somewhat of a void - I.e. childrens content and schools programming. I think if they simulcast CBBC/CBeebies content during the morning it wouldn't be as noticeable as simulcasting the news channel. Obviously the BBC have preferred the latter, even though doing the former would surely help bring down the average audience age for the channel.

If it wasn't for the need for a place other than BBC1 for occassional live daytime sport I suspect one of the childrens channels would have moved to the BBC2 space after the closure of BBC3. CBBC and CBeebies are too successful to mess with but really do think the BBC would benefit from the more flexible scheduling options a traditional linear channel offers and rolling the kids content into the daytime hours of BBC2 and a new full time "BBC3" (replacing BBC4) would make quite a bit of sense.

In reality - possibly - but in BARB terms, remember that BARB only registers viewers aged 4 and over



It's vital that kids content remains in the kids section of the EPG though, so closing one of the channels would not be sensible.

When exactly were these halcyon days of BBC2 daytime? All I remember is CBBC repeats until midday, working lunch followed by a few ancient films then ready steady cook and a few US imports.

What is BBC Two actually for in 2019? Back when it launched in 1964 it was to be the place for highbrow programming, arts, culture, concerts, debates - 2019 there is very little new content on the channel, with the daytime hours filled with well filler repeats and simulcasts.

So how can the BBC justify the current structure of the channel and its annual budget?

A channel should surely have a purpose. And so far as I can see, it has no purpose anymore. Just a drifting boat filled with repeats, simulcasts and what ever the BBC can't show on BBC One in terms of sport etc.

Sorry if that annoys anyone on here, I await to be cut down to size for daring to offer criticism.

Allegedly...

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/regulatory_framework/service_licences/tv/2016/bbctwo_apr16.pdf

One of BBC Two's main problems is that once one of their programmes gets particularly popular it is bumped up to BBC One for the next series, leaving it pretty much devoid of any major programmes that draw viewers in, perhaps with the exception of Top Gear.

BBC Two has traditionally been a testing ground for new talent, new content. A chance to be edgy and commission shows that not only are untested, but that don't fit with the BBC One Audience demographic.

It has become something of a safe lifestyle and current affairs channel.

BBC Four has also taken away some of BBC Two's remit for intelligent programming.

If they want to make savings, I'm still at a loss as to why BBC Four hasn't been axed already and any suitable programmes transferred over to BBC Two. Surely it would make sense to consolidate them?

Thing is that most of BBC4's original programming would never be commissioned for BBC2. It's just not true that 4 syphoned off lots of 2's remit and content, it has created its own style and remit.

A lot of what BBC 4 commissions is too cheap and niche for BBC2, and it would never show foreign dramas in peak time or commit as much airtime to the Proms as BBC4 does.