Why do the BBC put US stuff on at a stupid time?

Hey, Hey, Hey. It's a matter of opinion mister and you'd do well to remember that. Admitadly Arrested Development is funny but so to is Malcolm in the Middle.

Now, run along scamp

The basic answer is that although US series have a loyal following - many of the shows that are scheduled semi-randomly and late at night were never going to achieve high ratings in the UK. They aren't mainstream comedy or drama hits with a wide appeal.

Some US stuff IS shown at a decent time - like Desperate Housewives, Friends etc. - but this is because it is likely to appeal to a large, mainstream audience.

Shows with only a niche appeal are usually marginalised a bit in the schedules of the mainstream terrestrials.

Much as many of us may love Arrested Development, Seinfeld etc. we also have to accept that a large portion of the audience won't want to watch them. It would be crazy for the broadcasters to masochistically schedule them in peak - when a homegrown show will appeal to a wider audience in the same slot.

But how do they know people will like it or not without at least 'trying' it once in a more primetime slot?? Only Fools & Horses only turned into the heavy weight it did becuase the Beeb 'tried' putting it on in a more 'primetime' slot.

One thing is that alot of US shows do get a UK region 2 DVD release without really getting 'decent' TV airings so those of few who like them and are slaves to region settings get to watch them.

Only Fools is a long time ago - in the days before channels were more tightly researched and marketed than they were these days, and when programmes were given time to bed in.

These days, commissioners, schedulers, controllers and acquisitions executives are paid to have a much better idea of what "their channel" and "their audience" will or won't watch at different times of the day.

Shows are even played to focus groups prior to scheduling - to see what potential viewers think of them.

You really do love pretending to be a moderator don't you? Across these fora, you jump in with pointless 'housekeeping' posts.

You're NOT a moderator- if you think a post breaks the T&Cs, why don't you do what everyone else does and hit the RTP button without resorting to having to 'gloat' with an absolutely pathetic "consider yourself reported" style post.

You're worse than half of those you seek to ban.

Now that's a matter of opinion mister.

The answer is that it's part of the modern BBC's policy to put British-made programmes, rather than just the 'best' programmes they have access to, in prime-time.