BBC Four: Fewer Creative Commissions, More Boring Repeats

The BBC has confirmed plans to turn BBC Four into an archive channel packed full of repeats.

BBC Four, which launched almost 20 years, is currently the home of newly-commissioned creative arts, documentary, drama and current affairs programming.

Unfortunately, like many of the BBC's other offerings, it does not strike a chord with many people under statutory retirement age.

In order to better target its efforts "getting down with the yoof", the BBC has decided that Four will become a virtual filing cabinet for ancient programmes playing on a continuous loop.

The Corporation has said that best bits of BBC Four will be shoehorned into the BBC Two schedule, with most of the channel's new commissions, which currently total around 180 hours per year, being added to the iPlayer instead.

Viewers will be relieved to hear that coverage of the BBC Proms, Young Dancer and Young Musician competitions will remain on BBC Four.

The decision was announced in the BBC's Annual Plan 2021-22, which was published a few days ago.

According to the report: "The proposed changes to BBC Four will build on the channel's current archive content offer which already comprises 76% of BBC Four's broadcast hours and 69% of the channel's broadcast viewing hours.

"Together, these changes will enable us to maintain greater range and depth of programming across these key public service genres than any other broadcaster or service in the UK, whilst increasing reach and impact with audiences and strengthening our role as Britain's creative partner."

The report also outlined plans for BBC Radio 4 to "reinvent audio drama" in an effort to attract younger listeners.

Speaking of the plans, the new BBC Chairman, Richard Sharp, said: "This year has shown what a vital role the BBC plays across the UK.

"We have put plans in place to transform the BBC for the future. We are endeavouring to bring ourselves closer to audiences and we have a huge part to play in the country’s recovery from the pandemic."

BBC Director General, Tim Davie, said: "There is no doubt that in a turbulent and difficult 12 months, we have risen to the challenge of informing, educating and entertaining the whole of the United Kingdom."

Nice to see the coronavirus pandemic hasn't adversely affected the BBC's inability for modesty and self-reflection.

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