The announcement that the BBC is to cut costs by salami-slicing at some of its late-night Radio 4 programming has led to a slew of suggestions over what else should go.
Not from industry experts you understand, but from the public, who feel that because we all pay the licence-fee (well, most of us do, more on this later) we should all have a say.
The problem? Well, the BBC’s services reach around 453 million UK adults each week – and that means roughly 453 million different opinions. ”I feel that as a TV licence fee payer I should have been consulted on which programmes should be cut,” someone declared pompously. Yes, you and the rest of the nation.
The actual decisions so far are to lose Radio 4’s The World Tonight and Money Box Live, while reducing the number of Today presenters from five to four and stopping BBC Breakfast on Sundays.
One Radio 4 listener suggested all of the station’s comedy programmes should be dumped because they’re not funny. Hmmm, is that right, or have some people just not got a sense of humour? And one male listener suggested that Women’s Hour should be given the bullet because of all the “whinging” that goes on. Go away mate, the clue’s in the name.
But as the BBC strives to save £500million over the next two years, as announced by new director general Matt “Google” Brittin, the money-saving suggestions get ever wilder. One daft apeth thought that bosses should simply axe Strictly Come Dancing, arguably the BBC’s most popular Saturday night series of all time and a brand that makes them a stack of money from sales around the world. Don’t be so ridiculous.
Similarly, EastEnders was suggested (hugely popular with young people), plus The Archers (hugely popular with old people) and also MasterChef (hugely popular with everybody). These big brands are going nowhere. Neither are Countryfile, BBC Breakfast on weekdays or The One Show, so give it up.
There were those furiously demanding to know how many people the BBC had sent to the US to cover the World Cup (none, they’re all in Salford) or to the Glastonbury Festival (none, it’s not on this year.)
And someone (presumably not an actual viewer) suggested bosses could save a fortune if Question Time was based in a regular studio each week rather than roaming the land. I kid you not.
A person who has clearly never listened to either Radio 2 or Radio 5 Live helpfully put forward that the two stations could merge – only great if you fancy Sara Cox commentating on your football.
Another idea, that the BBC stops competing for sports rights altogether, is terrible for anyone who likes watching Match of the Day, the Olympics or Wimbledon for free. Quite a few I believe.
One suggestion ventured by many is that all the presenters take an enormous pay cut. While this would be tricky, considering they have agents and contracts, it’s also worth mentioning that the highest earners of recent years have all left. Chris Evans used to earn £2.2million while Gary Lineker raked in £1.75million and Zoe Ball was on £1.36million. This year’s annual report could show that the highest earner still in employment with the BBC is actually Alan Shearer (on less than £500k). Depressing, but likely.
There were some more extreme thoughts. “The BBC should accept advertising,” someone declared. The very thing that puts people off watching commercial channels altogether. And someone was pushing for “more repeats” to avoid the need for new shows. Give me strength.
Pulling out of Eurovision to “save millions” was a further suggestion. Given our recent performances at the contest it would be tempting to run away and never come back but, on balance, it’s loved by a great many so should stay. Individuals making arguments based on their personal viewing preferences are entirely irrelevant.
Although, hang on, here’s one with some merit as someone wonders how much Mrs Brown’s Boys costs because it’s “not funny” and is a “complete waste of money”. Too bloody much, whatever it is. (I realise some personal bias is creeping in here).
Whole services that wouldn’t be missed, according to random public opinion, include 6 Music, Radio 1 Xtra, BBC3, BBC4, BBC Asian Network and all regional radio stations.
But the BBC needs to appeal to each and every one of us and, for some, these more niche services are the only reason to pay the licence fee. You simply cannot please all of the people, all of the time.
Which brings me to a bloke called Andy Duff, who proclaims loudly on social media that he doesn’t know what all the fuss is about. “I haven’t paid the BBC a penny in over 20 years and they still haven’t cut me off,” he boasts. “Millions of us don’t pay it. Join us.”
Good old Andy is ripping us all off just like those who take cash-in-hand jobs to avoid paying tax – usually as they moan about their kids’ school not having enough teachers or hospital waiting times. Their selfish behaviour means they are literally part of the problem.
So pay your licence fees folks, you know it makes sense if you want to keep all your favourite shows going.
Because deciding where the cuts should fall is quite a tricky job it turns out. I’m very much with the person who sighed: “Every punter has an opinion about what to cut on the BBC. You’ll miss it when it’s gone.” Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
