BBC Four to become archive channel (p15)

I don't think BBC Studios would have any incentive to do that unless BBC Content paid them to do so? Remember BBC Studios is an arms-length commercial subsidiary of the BBC - a bit like BBC Studioworks.

It has to operate independently of BBC Content in the same way as any other independent production company would. If it starts to be come too close to BBC Content, then other Indies would start crying fowl.

The reason the BBC can fully own and operate the commercial UK TV channels at all in the UK is because BBC Studios is at arms length from the public service arm of the BBC...

Why bother? The damage is done and BBC3 seems to be doing well as an online only service, if anything the quality of the output is only stronger. People have been able to find BBC3’s programmes, more so this year. (See Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK and Normal People to name two) Considering the BBC are cash strapped then I’m surprised this is something they’re even contemplating. Even if you only used the existing budget, the channel would soon run out of new programmes.

I’d be more in favour of an iPlayer Showcase type channel for both BBC3 and 4, if the BBC pull the plug on BBC4.

I think some of the bits in the BBC news article worth noting are...





Also as recent as 29th April there was another BBC News article of "Coronavirus: BBC 'needs to make £125m savings this year'", ref https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52474911.

So reading between the lines it sounds like in announcing that they're "considering the case" they are testing the public's reaction to the idea, but at the same time they're giving themselves a get out method if they don't wish to proceed. They're also keen to stress the finance limitations they're under and that if BBC Three was to return to linear TV then there would be (more) cuts in other areas.

With this in mind I'd speculate that if BBC Three was to return as a linear channel then it would probably air between 8pm and 7pm, with CBBC loosing an hour. BBC Four technically wouldn't close (as far as they're PR is concerned) but would move to online only. Potentially some BBC Four content could be repeated during BBC Two daytime (instead of the News channel simulcast), and on BBC One after 10.45pm. On Freeview the former BBC Four 7pm-7am space could then be used to give BBC Scotland an SD channel, and an additional red button feed in the other nations.

BBC Scotland's already in SD in Scotland - all day. There's a spare 24 hour slot available on Freeview on the BBC A/PSB1 multiplex elsewhere in the UK since encoder improvements were implemented last year. But I strongly doubt the Red Button will be enhanced. The various Red Button programmes, performances and sports coverage could easily fill existing channel schedules.

Ah, for some reason I had it my head that the issue on Freeview related to the SD channel, when it was that the HD channel was evenings only. I still think that if BBC Three returns to a linear channel that the rest of my earlier post is likely to happen. Channel numbers on Freeview in Scotland would still be an issue, though having looked at the That's TV Scotland tv guide I can't help thinking BBC Scotland should be given channel 8, and That's TV relegated to 82.

After getting approval to ditch BBC Three as a linear channel, they would be utterly insane to burden themselves with it again. The future of television is streaming. Linear has a role to play, but the BBC already has several linear channels and the last thing it needs is MORE.

If they want to get the younger generation to pay the licence fee there does have to be some form of linear content aimed at them. The licence fee simply doesn't provide value for money compared to streaming services unless it also includes linear content that is attractive to the person paying for the licence. Reinstating BBC Three as a linear channel and moving BBC Four online only will almost certainly be beneficial in attracting a younger audience base which is one of the biggest issues facing the BBC at present.

Been reading a lot of “but I love the old episodes of Top of the Pops” when I’ve seen comments or tweets relating to BBC4 closing. Can’t help but feel it’s a similar situation to BBC3 and Family Guy. No reason why TOTP couldn’t be on a channel like Yesterday or on Britbox or something.

Until you consider that the younger generation rarely even consider linear TV when looking for something to watch.

Watching a scheduled stream, curated by somebody else is an odd concept when you've grown up in the Netflix era.

That may be so but I'm part of the younger generation and I, and a few of my friends, believe that nothing will ever replace the thrill of the continuity announcer announcing one's favourite show coming up or the rush during the ad breaks to do whatever business we need to do. Bearing in mind these are the same friends who cannot believe that I had "only" five channels growing up and that I can still - just about - remember dial-up and "Welcome to AOL"; I'm in my late teens.

As a member of the younger generation I'd disagree that there is no desire to watch a scheduled stream, especially if there was a scheduled stream that can be left on for hours at a time (sometimes it's easier than having to decide what to watch). If the BBC wants the younger generation to consider themselves an alternative to Netflix rather than a wider media organisation they'll need to slash the licence fee as it's simply uncompetitive compared to Netflix.

Netflix, however, is only able to be competitive because investors are currently subsidising the subscription. The BBC actually has to cover its costs.