BR
A few possible reasons.
Firstly, I think simply Comic Relief is simply a more popular charity than Children in Need and despite often being criticised for failing to showcase it's UK work enough, I think many people care much more about what they're doing in Africa - or at least it's the African appeals which encourage them to donate.
Secondly, it's a far better nights entertainment - and probably benefits from being bi-annual rather than yearly.
And thirdly and most importantly, the merchandising is much much better. From Red Noses, T-shirts, recipe books, donations from products, they probably make around £20m before the show even starts.
With Children in Need that is simply not there, largely I guess due to it being a BBC brand and their being certain limitations on how they can exploit it, even if it is for charity. They did sell a few things in the 90's such as the 3D glasses (which amazingly Sky believe customers will still be willing to wear to experience "3DTV") and Scratch and Sniff cards, but in recent years they haven't really done anything like that. I think also since the phone scandals the BBC have even stopped letting Children in Need profit from voting on Strictly too.
russnet posted:
The thing I don't get is that Comic Relief seems to get massive totals on the night, £40 million last time, £60 million this time but Children In Need seems to hover around the lower £20 million mark each time.
A few possible reasons.
Firstly, I think simply Comic Relief is simply a more popular charity than Children in Need and despite often being criticised for failing to showcase it's UK work enough, I think many people care much more about what they're doing in Africa - or at least it's the African appeals which encourage them to donate.
Secondly, it's a far better nights entertainment - and probably benefits from being bi-annual rather than yearly.
And thirdly and most importantly, the merchandising is much much better. From Red Noses, T-shirts, recipe books, donations from products, they probably make around £20m before the show even starts.
With Children in Need that is simply not there, largely I guess due to it being a BBC brand and their being certain limitations on how they can exploit it, even if it is for charity. They did sell a few things in the 90's such as the 3D glasses (which amazingly Sky believe customers will still be willing to wear to experience "3DTV") and Scratch and Sniff cards, but in recent years they haven't really done anything like that. I think also since the phone scandals the BBC have even stopped letting Children in Need profit from voting on Strictly too.
