This is disappointing, but I saw it coming. When CBBC and CBeeBies split, I was myself sure that there would either be a third teenage channel (think Trouble's market, rather than say Cartoon Network), and failing that, there'd be more on BBC Three when that launched. As it happens, there was arguably more 'teenage' content on BBC Choice (which was an alltogether better channel at one point!)!
The BBC needs to think seriously about what it's doing to the young-mid teenage audience. I grew up with Byker Grove, and I personally thought it was crap, but things like that did cater for that audience. Grange Hill has been watered down and crapified in recent years. Infact, not only does it badly emulate the day to day happenings of a modern day comprehensive school, it is considered embarassing for anybody who goes to secondary school to watch it!? A far cry from the original idea which was to let teenagers associate with the characters on screen.
Even the title sequence makes me want to vomit, honestly who thought it up? Who!?
It's true that the Beeb is developing a new teenage brand, to fill the gap between CBBC and Radio 1/BBC3, but the reason Byker is going is because it's on CBBC, which is going to be aimed at a maximum age of 11 by the look of things. What I've heard indicates that this new teen brand thing will be largely web based, rather than a block of programming (although I could easily be wrong). Grange Hill is probably safe because it's already lowered it's target audience (although at some point you do have to ask about the wisdom of a show set in a secondary school aimed at a primary school audience).
It does look like the 5pm slot on CBBC One might eventually be turned over to Blue Peter every day just as on the CBBC channel, they seem to be heading that way at the moment - I think Thursday's BP on CBBC is about the only exclusive show that CBBC Channel has anymore.
And on the subject of Byker - it is sad it's going, but I have to say that as a child I absolutely hated it! Was never fussed by Grange Hill either but Byker Grove I hated with a passion, just seemed to have really bad acting and once a series they'd always end up going on a TV game show for some reason. And have you
heard
what they've done to the theme tune lately?!
I saw some people from byker grove on the saturday show in 2002 and i'm sure they said it would be the last series.2003 i thought the same thing.In 2004 i thought oh it's probably not ending then!
What do you mean"Have you heard what they've done to the theme tune"
I haven't noticed much change from the original,an extra sound at the start maybe and another backing track.
End of Byker a watered down Grange Hill. BBC are following in the steps of ITV!
If BBC are serious about creating exciting new ideas for 12-16 (possibly to 18 ) yr olds that what better way then to create a new strand along the lines of the old DEFII from the 80's (I know that strand catered for 18-24yr olds - but that has been replaced by T4 on Channel4)But a word of warning the ercentage of shows being British would have to be quite high to reflect the culture of THIS country and not just the US culture (as it does feel that we are becoming the 51st state!)
Grange Hill has been watered down and crapified in recent years. Infact, not only does it badly emulate the day to day happenings of a modern day comprehensive school, it is considered embarassing for anybody who goes to secondary school to watch it!? A far cry from the original idea which was to let teenagers associate with the characters on screen.
I think Grange Hill is in unsafe territory at the moment. I think the major change was when Mr Robson left and the set moved to Liverpool - as far as I'm concerned its appeal has gone.
Just to clarify, Mr Robson going and the move to Liverpool were seperate events. The move was first; Mr Robson stayed another year (the only staffroom face to survive the transition).
Perfect opportunity for either C4 or five to pick it up, re-establish the grittiness of it and show it as an hourly programme (soapy style like Hollyoaks) on one of the weekend mornings (or early evening). Even Sky could pick it up to replace Dream Team.
ITV will not even look at it as they no longer do Children's/Teens programming.
As a southerner, I always prefered Grange Hill, which to me reached its peak during it's final year in Elstree (being a 16-year-old). However, since switching to Liverpool, it seems to be turning into more of a comedy than a drama.
As a southerner, I always prefered Grange Hill, which to me reached its peak during it's final year in Elstree (being a 16-year-old). However, since switching to Liverpool, it seems to be turning into more of a comedy than a drama.
When Grange Hill first started its creator was Phil "Brookside" Redmond. After a few years he moved away to create both Brrokside and Hollyoaks. 4 years ago MerseyTV won the Grange Hill contract from the BBC and once more Phil Redmond was at the helm. God knows what the BBC remit was but the creator seems to have destroyed his creation (a kind of Frankenstein story!).
I grew up with Grange Hill and always knew that it was supposedly set in North London. When Mersey TV won the rights Phil Redmond tried to advise the populous with saying that Grange Hill is only a name and that all schools in the UK were basically the same so moving it from London to Liverpool was no big Deal. It is, where are the London accents, the scouse accent doesn't work for the programme. Decent storylines have madeway for the softly softly approach - i.e. Big School is no big deal!
BBC should bring it back inhouse - use the same old outside sets as before (which are now being used for Holby City) and make it griitier again, and show it in am mid-teen slot.
