BBC Three to return as a linear channel?

As much as I did not enjoy the programming on BBC3, I thought removing it was a huge mistake given its popularity among its target audience.

I understand that many people choose to watch stuff online (as do I - I love it, in fact) but there are still millions who still like linear TV. Perhaps the true value of a linear channel is to act as a barker for what's on online replay services.

As a lover of the BBC but as someone who is prepared to accept that its services will be cut back and since there is a "fantasy" element to this thread, I would hope for the following if the BBC is hollowed out:

BBC ONE - the very best of UK television between 5pm and 1am (simulcasting the News Channel for other hours)

Reasoning: does the BBC really need to compete with daytime ITV? Do we really need another series of Homes Under The Hammer?

CBeebies until 7pm/BBC TWO until 1am - the under 6 channel followed by off-beat and experimental documentaries and comedies

Reasoning: much of BBC2 daytime is already BBC News (that'll now be on BBC1) and the rest of what's on isn't really much to write home about. The rest of the time could be used to show BBC TWO programs of the like shown before the launch of BBC4.

CBBC/BBC THREE - rather like the old days but with BBC3 starting at 8pm

Reasoning: it wasn't broke before.

BBC FOUR - BBC Choice-type repeats from 3am to 7pm, BBC FOUR showing "high brow" (for want of a better word) programming in the remaining hours

Reason: the BBC could run archive programming during the day (the "From The Archive" is one of my favourite sections on iPlayer) followed by BBC FOUR with boosted investment

BBC "EXTRA 1"/BBC SCOTLAND - red button type service for sporting events and other programming from 12am to 7pm followed by BBC Scotland programming

Reasoning: it'd be nice to have red button programming in HD on Sky etc on a BBC "Extra" type channel. And, despite its knockers, BBC Scotland is actually a good channel (and I am English).

BBC NEWS 24 (24hrs)

Reasoning: I miss the "24" prefix. And the flags would be nice to have back too.

BBC PARLIAMENT

Reasoning: Charter-stuff

BBC "EXTRA 2"/BBC ALBA

Reasoning: more dead hours that could be filled with Red Button type programming in HD with BBC Alba becoming HD at the same time.

BBC WORLD +1 (24hrs)

Reasoning: Just kidding.

What about Newsnight?

That could stay on BBC2 as it is now.

We all know it was a dumb short sighted decision when it was made years ago and apart from BBC Scotland sharing the HD space in Scotland and the occassional use of it for red button content (possibly only during the Olympics) the space has remained unused since.

At the time I said a later start time of 8pm (or 9pm weekdays, 7pm weekends) would be an adequate compromise to give CBBC more evening airtime, and including more BBC1/2 repeats in the schedule would help pad out a linear channel. BBC1+1 may have been refused but that doesn't mean that BBC3 couldn't regularly rerun BBC1 9pm drama and 10pm or 11pm for example.

However I do think BBC3 going altogether is more likely than BBC3 returning to linear TV. The only way I could see it being justified is as a way to close BBC Scotland, which isn't really serving the audience in the way BBC2 Scotland did if analysis of figures is to be believed.

Also if it does return the EPG slot is long gone though a chance in England they could get 7 or 8 back.

As we are all living in fantasy land here my take;

BBC Three 24 hours (using the full current CBBC stream) with CBBC Breakfast show every morning 7-10am (maybe longer at weekend and holidays). And every afternoon 3-8pm. The rest over to BBC Three with repeats in the day and Radio 1 content used to bulk schedule. This will make a strong youth service and give CBBC an EPG boosted.

Merge BBC Four into BBC Two to make a bigger and stronger BBC Four type channel. Move any content not fitting in with the new channel to BBC One and maybe BBC Three to boost that channel.

BBC Scotland start at 7pm time shifting with CBeebies. The rest of the UK could have BBC England, BBC Wales and BBC Northen Island which will then make BBC One a national channel with regional news or if they can make it a BBC One +1. Maybe S4C can broadcast from 7pm in wales and save some money. Who knows.

Bring back DEF II

Even by TV Forum standards some of these fantasy posts are insane.

Personally I’ll love to see family guy, American dad and 60 seconds back on three again, if it was 24 hour would it be better?

Yes, because I’ve been hearing the government are about to announce plans to double the licence fee.

Used to love the raps between shows to announce the next programme. Reportage was not a patch on Network 7 imo though. 😂

You can see Family Guy and American Dad to your heart's content on ITV2. and Fox. Fox airs an alternating chunk of American Dad and Family Guy most evenings sometimes from 11pm onwards. Knock yourself out.

Anyway doubtful those shows will be back on the BBC in the long term, not sure how long ITV took the deal for but having seen how successful it was on BBC Three, wouldn't be surprising if they keep handing the money over for another three years or so.

I agree about BBC Scotland. "David Wilson's Crime Files" and "Inside Glasgow Central" are superb programmes.