Should the BBC axe EastEnders?

Just a poll to canvas the general opinion.

A thread already exists to discuss the EastEnders crisis: http://www.tvforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10323&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

However, if people want to add comments to this thread, perhaps saying how the BBC could replace, or revamp, EastEnders, feel free, but it's the general yes/no opinion I'm more interested in.

From my own view I cannot abide this show anymore, it is no where near as good as it used to be, when it came on in '85 it was fantastic, it was new and rather groundbreaking and it was for the majority of the 1990's, but they have started to let it go down, by axing so many good characters/actors, by having a stupid procuder, a stupid channel controller who only cares more about ratings rather than a public service and again trying to beat Corrie doesn't help it at all. They have gone to far, it just seems to the The Shane Ritchie Show featuring Kat and it is probably that and focusing on it that is making people switch off.

I haven't watched a full episode of this utter tripe for about 4 years now to prove how sh*te it has gone recently.

What they're better off doing is giving one last go at it, not for ratings purposes but to see whether the show improves and becomes less OTT, personally I think bringing back Leslie Grantham was a big mistake, don't get me wrong he's a good actor but no-one would believe an idea to bring back a dead character who has been out of the programme for 14 years! But if it does fail, then axe it, start something new, shame it isn't as good as it was in the 1980's, not once was there a crap episode in the 80's! (I've seen plenty on UK Gold)

Looking on Digital Spy the other day, it wouldn't suprise me if the stuff the head of ITV Drama said would become true, that Emmerdale could take over Eastenders, I can see it happening. He was also quite true about Brookie, in 1999 no-one thought it would disappear, but that went OTT and got axed, frankly the same could happen here.

Though at least BAFTA agree with many people, I am glad they didn't nominate it. Let's be fair who actually watches this tripe? Who enjoys it? Who think's that it represents London lives?

My answer is No to all 3, the BBC have ruined what was a great programme into something crap.

I don't think it should be axed but it definately needs improving. Louise Berridge should do the right thing and resign I'm sorry I'm sure she is a nice person but she has totally ruined Eastenders since she has been in charge. And of course get rid of the ferreiras their the most crappest family to ever be in Eastenders. At least when Emmerdale had crap families they quickly got rid of them. If they could do these two things it would be a start but just a start.

Are you all mad? Why on earth should the BBC axe EastEnders when it is still one of their most popular programmes - i.e. a programme that more licence fee payers watch than most others?

It may need refreshing - just as it and Corrie have over the years - but axe it? You can't be serious...

David Elstein's consideration was that shows like this could (should) be sold to other UK broadcasters as a way of diluting the BBC's power whilst at he same time raising finance for it. Without venturing an opinion on Mr Elstein (the Conservative Party's) plan, what would be the effect of selling Eastenders to one of the other UK broadcasters?

If ITV bought it Bad for the diversity of ITV, would reverse the balance between BBC and ITV, but not enhance competition between broadcasters overall.

If BSkyB bought it Oh - shock horror! Would be a a marginal subscription leverage for a while, but then poor old Estenders would be in the doldrums.

If FIVE bought it Much more like it! By far the best outcome for competition and network equalization. But, C5 just wouldn't be able to nurture and support the show on even the enhanced income that showing Eastenders would bring. RTL could do a German version.

If Flextech bought it That really would be a shock, FTN would for sure overtake ITV2, but ditto the comments for C5 on programme finance.

Well said noggin. I'm probably one of its fiercest critics at the moment but I would never consider axing it. This poll is just nonsense.

They need to change the exec producer and possibly clear out the writing team.

Can we please keep the EastEnders chat in the existing thread?

Quite - and reading into the current D Elstein/Tory Party thinking (Tuesday's FT and Sundy papers) you could deduce that a future Tory Government may turn he BBC into a publisher broadcaster . This would leave a (privatised?) BBC Production Group holding the rights to shows like Eastenders, and with a commercial case to sell to other than BBC Broadcast.

But for the Tories read New Labour ditto, so this may all come to pass :

Surely it would be easier to start with a clean slate then.

I completly understand why the BBC wouldn't want to axe the programme that pulls in their biggest ratings, but it's also the BBC programme which brings in most criticism as the moment, but if axed, the BBC need to have a plan (which is why this thread exists!)

New soaps are difficult to launch, but the BBC already have a couple of options. Maybe turning The Archers into a TV soap (I think it be good to air on R4 weeknights, then have a TV omnibus on Sunday nights!), or move Doctors to primetime (6pm, either filling the Simpsons slot on BBC2, or on BBC1, with the main news moving to 7pm - less likely!).

A more American approach to drama series could help the BBC, with 16 to 24 part series returning year after year, with a couple of more family orientated shows at 8pm twice a week.

This would allow more variety in the drama output, more talent to come through, and I think even the EastEnders team could come up with something good if they were given a clean slate.

Say if EastEnders ended at Christmas, commission a handful of eight part pilot series to run next Winter, with successful shows coming back for longer runs in the Autumn and Winter.

The Tories idea is unlikely to happen - as they won't be in government for at least another, what say, 5/6 years at the minimum, and i doubt that, the idea would happen.

Yes, I agree with you that the Tories seem unlikely to get in next time.

JDK's raises the issue of New Labour's policy toward the BBC. As charter renewal is far more a political process than a straight OfCom regulation case, we can't rule out the prospect of the BBC getting a clobbering. And, if the term is reduced to 5 years, and the Tories do get in time after next - the next renewal would happen during their term.

True. But if Michael Howard is still leader - there will not be a Tory government - he will never be PM!

I feel the term may be reduced to 5 years - but will this be good or bad?

Suppose that the good side would be based on the understanding that convergence between broadcast technology and IT means that there's uncertainly over what the prevailing conditions will be in 5 years time. But, that's been the case for the last 10 years anyway.

The down side (which I subscribe to) is that this would set uncertainly into an organisation that probably needs the confidence that goes with continuance. I think that the 5 year renewal would be seen as an interim measure, and a political cop-out by the Government.