It always feels to me like BBC3 and 4 were set up, at least in part, to encourage more people to take up digital (and fair enough - this was a duty put on the BBC by the government).
The sad thing is that, while there have undoubtedly been some successes on both channels, a lot of 3 and 4's content would earlier have found a home on BBC2. Consequently, this has left BBC2 in a much weaker position, with much less of an identity than it once had (arguably the re-appearance of the 90s BBC2 idents is a way of saying 'we're really still that channel, honest!').
Now that digital switchover has happened and as we move more and more into an arena where linear channels become less relevant (a fair amount of viewing is already time-delayed through PVRs and catch-up services), the BBC probably needs to have a big think about how it presents its programming.
I'm a huge supporter of the BBC - I think it produces amazing stuff (not always, obviously), but I think they should start concentrating more on BBC1 and 2. They could shut 3 and 4 and begin to push more content to the 'main channels' as well as building their iPlayer audience.
I'd personally also shut the BBC News channel. Initially, I'd run it online only, but actually I think the age of rolling news channels will come to and end - I think people will demand more and more immediate written and video access to particular stories rather than waiting for them to come round in the 'news showreel.'
Personally I love BBC Four, and it does stuff that other free-to-air channels don't (though Sky Arts does do somethings that are similar they are a pay-TV service).
It has quite modest ratings though, and can be seen as serving a well-off, older, middle-class audience that is already 'super served' by the BBC.
With a reduced income, the BBC has to decide whether to concentrate on doing everything to a reduced quality, or doing fewer things to the same or better quality. It also has to ensure that it provides services to all licence fee payers...
It could be argued that BBC Four and Radio 3 are very niche and can no longer justified at their audience levels. It can also be argued that they are one of the very key reasons that the BBC exists.
Now that digital switchover has happened and as we move more and more into an arena where linear channels become less relevant (a fair amount of viewing is already time-delayed through PVRs and catch-up services), the BBC probably needs to have a big think about how it presents its programming.
Interesting that the numbers apparently massively favour PVR catch-up (which still requires the original linear TX) over Catch-up services. This may be because PVRs are connected to TVs and more prevalent than Smart TVs, or it may be because of convenience (as you have curated your recordings yourself you don't have to look as hard to find what you want to watch?)
When BBC Three was due to go online early, much was made that the target audience favoured catch-up (NOT online). When the numbers were drilled down it became clear that a massive proportion of catch-up viewing of BBC Three shows was on PVR...
Now that digital switchover has happened and as we move more and more into an arena where linear channels become less relevant (a fair amount of viewing is already time-delayed through PVRs and catch-up services), the BBC probably needs to have a big think about how it presents its programming.
Interesting that the numbers apparently massively favour PVR catch-up (which still requires the original linear TX) over Catch-up services. This may be because PVRs are connected to TVs and more prevalent than Smart TVs, or it may be because of convenience (as you have curated your recordings yourself you don't have to look as hard to find what you want to watch?)
This is a very good point. Personally, I'm starting to tip slightly toward using catch-up more (but often because I forget to set the PVR).
This is probably the weakest area of the move online which catch-up services haven't got enough of a handle on. Freeview Play may help that, but I'm surprised that there's no service I'm aware of that allows you (maybe through a Smart TV or smartphone app) to curate programmes from different providers.
That article is somewhat misleading, what he actually said was...
"In summary the BBC faces a very tough financial challenge. So we will have to manage our resources ever more carefully and prioritise what we believe the BBC should offer. We will inevitably have to either close or reduce some services."
Full text of speach: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/sep/07/tony-hall-speech-future-bbc-full-text
Whilst he doesn't directly say which services will either close or be reduced rather tellingly I noticed in the speach...
Quote:
Mobile also provides the best opportunity to deliver a more personalised news service and to inform audiences in new ways - the relevant data, context and information that everyone needs, delivered to suit their requirements.
A bespoke BBC News, made to measure for you, wherever you are.
Inevitably, this will be a more video based service - complemented by audio, graphics and text live from BBC News. It will be the place to go to find out the facts and to understand the story behind them.
That article is somewhat misleading, what he actually said was...
"In summary the BBC faces a very tough financial challenge. So we will have to manage our resources ever more carefully and prioritise what we believe the BBC should offer. We will inevitably have to either close or reduce some services."
Full text of speach: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/sep/07/tony-hall-speech-future-bbc-full-text
Yeah, I thought it was unclear in the article (hence my 'perhaps'), but as I spotted the article I thought I'd include it.
Quote:
Whilst he doesn't directly say which services will either close or be reduced rather tellingly I noticed in the speach...
Quote:
Mobile also provides the best opportunity to deliver a more personalised news service and to inform audiences in new ways - the relevant data, context and information that everyone needs, delivered to suit their requirements.
A bespoke BBC News, made to measure for you, wherever you are.
Inevitably, this will be a more video based service - complemented by audio, graphics and text live from BBC News. It will be the place to go to find out the facts and to understand the story behind them.
Maybe the days of the BBC News channel are numbered.
It always feels to me like BBC3 and 4 were set up, at least in part, to encourage more people to take up digital (and fair enough - this was a duty put on the BBC by the government).
The sad thing is that, while there have undoubtedly been some successes on both channels, a lot of 3 and 4's content would earlier have found a home on BBC2. Consequently, this has left BBC2 in a much weaker position, with much less of an identity than it once had (arguably the re-appearance of the 90s BBC2 idents is a way of saying 'we're really still that channel, honest!').
Absolutely agree with this. BBC Three has produced some great comedy hits and BBC Four some stunning drama and documentaries, but these are programmes which would have once sat very comfortably on BBC Two.
The sad thing is that, while there have undoubtedly been some successes on both channels, a lot of 3 and 4's content would earlier have found a home on BBC2.
Some would, but most of BBC4s output would never have been commissioned by BBC2 at all - it's just too cheap or niche. That's not to say it wouldn't fit on 2 now but it's unlikely it would continue if 4 closes.
There's also the factor of having more airtime than 2 has. The Proms for example were never given as much TV time as they do now and BBC2 wouldn't take that over.
BBC2 has been more damaged by the loss of educational programmes to other mediums and children's to their own channels. It's lost its purpose before 6pm except when there's a sports event on
It's lost its purpose before 6pm except when there's a sports event on
I got the impression that filling the daytime with cheap repeats was pretty much the close alternative to making it an 'evening only' channel like BBC3 and 4.
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