I was kinda like "wtf" over this but in fairness now I watch most things on the iPlayer app on my TV now. I shall miss double bills Family Guy and American Dad of a night though, they don't get put on iPlayer :( BBC3 is probably the channel I watch the most with the random documentaries etc., I only really watch that and the soaps plus reality shows when they're on. A lot of the stuff I watch is US stuff online.

But they're not closing it! Purely moving it from a digital TV channel to an online TV channel.

 

Most smartphones, and TVs have the iPlayer app, so I dare say you'll even be able to stream the channel through the app.

 

BBC2 is a niche channel, but the ratings are fairly decent. You've also got to take in to account that it shares programming with BBC1 too e.g. Wimbledon, Olympics. I dare say Top Gear takes up a large sum of the budget and it's probably the most profitable show on the BBC!

 

 

Yes, came across a list online of the BBC's current most profitable shows the other day and was surprised that Top Gear is top. Waterloo Road was second as it's sold to a lot of other countries still despite it's fall in quality since the move to Scotland. The main reason why it's not been axed! I've to go out now but will try to find the list later.

Edited March 5, 201411 yr by Common Sense

Only 4% of BBC3's viewing figures currently comes from Iplayer etc., so the vast majority of people who watch it do so via TV. I was surprised to hear it has viewing figures higher than Sky Sports and Sky One for instance.

Only 4% of BBC3's viewing figures currently comes from Iplayer etc., so the vast majority of people who watch it do so via TV. I was surprised to hear it has viewing figures higher than Sky Sports and Sky One for instance.

BBC3 is available to everyone whereas Sky Sports and Sky One are not.

I don't think a CBBC/Cbeebies merge would be any good at all. CBBC is constantly airing new programmes that have a pretty big budget, more often than not make the front page of iPlayer and #1 in the channel's Weekly Rankings (Wizards Vs Aliens, Wolfblood, The Dumping Ground - all shows that have been nominated for awards / the cast have been nominated), whereas Cbeebies is making relatively cheap programmes and showing some that have been seen about 1000 times before. They'd probably be accused of under-serving a demographic, but Cbeebies is certainly something they can do without.

so many interesting replies (and i can't really quote all the messages i want to quote, because then i'd be runningthe thread

 

i think the 1 kids channel sounds good, and then BBC can broadcast afterwards- after all, BBC 3 only is on during the evening anyway so it's a waste of channel space during the morning. 1 kids channel would be perfict- though saying that, i think they trialled that all ready with the old BBC choice (or was that just childrens shows and stopped at 7 pm anyway?)

 

i've not watched anything on bbc 4, nothing on their interests me. even the skedule, it looks so boring

 

to the person that asked where to watch family guy and aamerican dad, well: i know fox do it sometimes, and it could be something commedy central would be interested in in the future (seeing as they show a lot of southpark)

 

as for bbc 3 being axed, it probably uses up more money for it's programme content- and let's not forget it was the birth place for some of the biggist commedy shows- gavin and stacy and little britain to name 2.

 

i can't name a single popular show on bbc4, not 1

I don't think a CBBC/Cbeebies merge would be any good at all. CBBC is constantly airing new programmes that have a pretty big budget, more often than not make the front page of iPlayer and #1 in the channel's Weekly Rankings (Wizards Vs Aliens, Wolfblood, The Dumping Ground - all shows that have been nominated for awards / the cast have been nominated), whereas Cbeebies is making relatively cheap programmes and showing some that have been seen about 1000 times before. They'd probably be accused of under-serving a demographic, but Cbeebies is certainly something they can do without.

 

Yet CBeebies trounces CBBC in the ratings! This is because the older children/early teens is massively overcrowded. BBC is offering a better service by keep BBC Three and CBeebies as distant brands. CBBC doesn't pull in any where near the ratings to justify its expenditure.

 

CBBC gets £79 million. #1 rated programme: The Dumping Ground (341,000). #10 rated programme: Shaun The Sheep (223,000)

BBC3 gets £85 million. #1 rated programme: Little Fockers (1,047,000). #10 rated programme: Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents (660,000)

 

CBeebies gets £29 million. #1 rated programme: Topsy and Tim (506,000). #10 rated programme: Old Jack's Boat (439,000)

 

CBeebies #10 rated programme gets more than CBBC's top rated programme. iPlayer hits isn't the full picture. CBeebies is something they definitely need! For how much they spend, they gain a large amount of viewers!

Hmm, I think it's justifiable for CBBC to stay - it's like nursery (Cbeebies), primary school (CBBC) and secondary school (BBC) - it's natural progression for its viewers to go from one to the other as they age and have a better understanding of the programmes they're actually watching. That said, you make a valid point about CBBC's ratings. However, in the past they have managed to achieve possibly their highest ratings. The Sarah Jane Adventures getting 1-2 million viewers in its first two series' and then close to 1 million in the following three - undeniably one of its most popular shows, but it still shows they can achieve those ratings.

Hmm, I think it's justifiable for CBBC to stay - it's like nursery (Cbeebies), primary school (CBBC) and secondary school (BBC) - it's natural progression for its viewers to go from one to the other as they age and have a better understanding of the programmes they're actually watching. That said, you make a valid point about CBBC's ratings. However, in the past they have managed to achieve possibly their highest ratings. The Sarah Jane Adventures getting 1-2 million viewers in its first two series' and then close to 1 million in the following three - undeniably one of its most popular shows, but it still shows they can achieve those ratings.

 

Personally I agree. Though when I grew up I was perfectly content with CBBC as one unity, before the age of all these separate channels and digital platforms etc. It's weird how times change. I do think CBBC should stay, but they need to make cuts. Maybe cut live action continuity presenting, I doubt kids care these days. Whereas, back in the day it was certainly the USP of CBBC. Maybe also cut the commissioning of so many new shows and reshow some from back in the day too.

Personally I agree. Though when I grew up I was perfectly content with CBBC as one unity, before the age of all these separate channels and digital platforms etc. It's weird how times change. I do think CBBC should stay, but they need to make cuts. Maybe cut live action continuity presenting, I doubt kids care these days. Whereas, back in the day it was certainly the USP of CBBC. Maybe also cut the commissioning of so many new shows and reshow some from back in the day too.

Yes, the presenting is one thing they definitely need to axe! :drama: I know it's for young children, but my god - there are actually some decent, mature shows on the channel and people like that Chris are just awful. They'd be much better off stylising it like the BBC - [programme]->[CBBC show adverts]->[programme].

I think this has got something to do with the +1 channels they ae trying to introduce so something had to give

so many interesting replies (and i can't really quote all the messages i want to quote, because then i'd be runningthe thread

 

i think the 1 kids channel sounds good, and then BBC can broadcast afterwards- after all, BBC 3 only is on during the evening anyway so it's a waste of channel space during the morning. 1 kids channel would be perfict- though saying that, i think they trialled that all ready with the old BBC choice (or was that just childrens shows and stopped at 7 pm anyway?)

 

i've not watched anything on bbc 4, nothing on their interests me. even the skedule, it looks so boring

 

to the person that asked where to watch family guy and aamerican dad, well: i know fox do it sometimes, and it could be something commedy central would be interested in in the future (seeing as they show a lot of southpark)

 

as for bbc 3 being axed, it probably uses up more money for it's programme content- and let's not forget it was the birth place for some of the biggist commedy shows- gavin and stacy and little britain to name 2.

 

i can't name a single popular show on bbc4, not 1

Little Britain actually started on Radio 4. BBC3 pioneered the television version.

 

Some of BBC4's most popular programmes are the Scandinavian dramas which can attract audiences of over a million.

Is Parks and Recreation not shown on BBC4 as well?

New programmes like Jai'me and especially Family Guy, American Dad, all down the swanny :no:

 

I think they've underestimated the Family Guy fans, my generation can be just as vocal as the BBc4ers

 

http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/05/family-guy-f...3-axed-4426881/

 

Man the hashtags, man the facebook, it's time to save Family Guy after already savin Brian!!

 

Don't let our Brian CRUSADE go to WASTE!

Edited March 5, 201411 yr by Michael!

Glad they have kept BBC 4

 

Outstanding channel, over the last year have watched gigs from AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin on it and other documentaries

 

 

BBC4 is probably the best channel on Digital TV tbh. Parks & Rec, Borgen, The Killing (Original, not the abysmal US f***-up of a remake) and The Bridge are all truly outstanding moments of TV.

Glad they have kept BBC 4

 

Outstanding channel, over the last year have watched gigs from AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin on it and other documentaries

If the BBC advertised for people to trawl through their archives to select material for various BBC4 music programmes they would be swamped with applications. I know I would apply!

BBC4 has won digital channel of the year on several occasions and is actually closest by far to the original remit of the BBC - to entertain, inform and educate.

 

Yes, BBC3 has had a handful of successful comedies in Little Britain, Gavin & Stacey and The Mighty Boosh but their hit to miss ratio is gigantic with several series being canned. BBC Four on the other hand, tends to have a higher hit rate of good comedy shows - The Thick Of It, 2012, Charlie Brooker's various Wipes etc.

 

And the saddest thing about those complaining about the move of BBC3 to iPlayer is that it seems to be mostly Family Guy / American Dad that people are crying about...and these are not made by the BBC. These could continue to be bought and possibly shown, albeit less often, on BBC2. Very few people are crying out for the loss of original programming.

 

In the 80s and 90s, there was the hit and miss Def II strand on BBC2 for the 16-34 demographic and perhaps that could be brought back?

 

What it does show above all though is that if the licence fee continues to be frozen or reduced then we will lose the things we enjoy - and all for a few pence per day.

 

In other news, it probably doesn't help Maria Miller's threat to Scotland of losing the BBC following independence as it looks like the Tories once again have the destruction of public service broadcasting in their sights again anyway with further freezing / cuts.

If the BBC advertised for people to trawl through their archives to select material for various BBC4 music programmes they would be swamped with applications. I know I would apply!

 

I would apply too, BBC 4 is probably my favourite channel on tv full stop, with the exception of Sky F1 HD, was worried they might can it when there was talk of either BBC 3 or 4 going

 

Was a relief to see it was staying

I would apply too, BBC 4 is probably my favourite channel on tv full stop, with the exception of Sky F1 HD, was worried they might can it when there was talk of either BBC 3 or 4 going

 

Was a relief to see it was staying

 

 

I'm glad it's staying too. Excellent documentary about the Great Barrier Reef last night, concluding next week.