Report: Viewers Perceive Lack of Fresh Ideas on the BBC

LONDON, December 18: A report by the BBC Trust has found
that an abundance of reality TV and soaps have led to a perception among
viewers “that there is less distinctive TV on the BBC than there once was.”

Of the 4,500 respondents, 72 percent felt it was essential
for the BBC to have "lots of fresh and new ideas," but only 51
percent agreed it was meeting that goal. Respondents surveyed felt that TV is
increasingly dominated by “ratings chasers”, and that the BBC is perceived to
have “succumbed to this trend to a certain extent.”

The report continues that this type of content “is crowding
out perceptions of the more distinctive aspects of the BBC offer—which is
felt to be increasingly difficult to find and notice. There are also concerns
that there is not enough volume or prominence of a genuinely alternative
offering to this type of TV (in the form of serious drama and factual
documentaries) and a strong belief that the BBC should strive more to provide
an alternative.”

The report notes that part of the problem is a lack of
awareness of the full BBC portfolio—90 percent of viewing to BBC
television is accounted for by BBC One and Two.

Another key finding was that no genre is seen as taboo for
the pubcaster—“it can be acceptable for the BBC to enter a genre as long
as there is some rationale for it being a fresh approach and not just a rehash
of something else.” Strictly Come Dancing
and The Apprentice, for example,
were seen to be in line with the BBC’s values, because of their “content, tone
and execution.”

Viewers also appreciate “familiar ‘old favorite’ programs,”
and classics like Mastermind and Antiques
Roadshow. Other titles hailed by
respondents included Doctor Who, Paris and Tribe.

There was also a sense that the BBC should take “responsible
risks—and not just be edgy/out there/shocking/random like C4 can be seen
to be.”

—By Mansha Daswani