BBC faces programme review after complaints

BBC1 is to undergo a major review after audiences complained the quality of its programmes was going downhill, it was announced today.

In their annual report, the Governors cast a critical eye over the Corporation.

Research shows audiences believe the quality of BBC output in general is in decline – a “worrying” development, the Governors said.

But it was the Corporation’s flagship channel which came in for the toughest criticism.

BBC1’s entertainment programming, particularly its Saturday night schedule, was singled out as cause for concern.

“Entertainment continues to be a challenge for BBC1,” the Governors said. “Finding successful original formats for Saturday nights remains a particular challenge.”

The channel must find a balance between innovative, risk-taking programming and meeting the needs of mainstream audiences, they said.

Comedy also came under scrutiny – the report berated bosses for being preoccupied with ratings.

The BBC has been criticised for dropping shows such as Trevor’s World of Sport, starring Neil Pearson, after early episodes failed to grab ratings.

“To be successful, the channel needs the confidence to give its commissions time to develop when initially faced with disappointing ratings,” the Governors said.

They also expressed concern that religion had been pushed out of the peak time schedules.

The annual report has been criticised in previous years for reading like a glossy marketing brochure.

This year the BBC is at pains to stress the report is an objective assessment of the Corporation.

The Governors drew attention to the findings of the BBC’s own research.

“Audience perceptions that the quality of BBC Television is declining are worrying and we need to do more to understand this better,” they admitted.

The Governors concluded that they had “a duty to ensure that the channel’s schedule, as well as its programmes, best serves audience needs.

“We have asked our team of advisers to undertake an independent study to assess whether or not the channel has the best balance of output in peak time.”

The findings of the study will be published next year.

Some of BBC1’s output was singled out for praise.

Interactive quiz show Test The Nation, sporting contest Born To Win, undercover documentary The Secret Policeman and a series of Panorama specials were given as examples of good BBC1 shows.

While the return of Match of the Day was highlighted, the Governors conceded that the loss of the Boat Race to ITV was “disappointing”.

The Governor’s criticisms of BBC1 tally with pledges made by new chairman Michael Grade last month.

He vowed to introduce more quality programming and get rid of “cynical, derivative” shows.

BBC1 was not the only channel to give the Governors cause for concern.

Audience perceptions of digital channels BBC3 and BBC4 remain low, they warned.

Many viewers who come within the target audience for BBC4 – older viewers with an interest in the arts – have not taken up digital television.

BBC2 was praised for reducing the number of lifestyle and makeover shows in the past year to make way for more arts, current affairs and documentary programmes.

The jury is still out on BBC Radio 1, which began overhauling its schedule last year in response to negative audience research.