BBC blames ‘financial tough times’ as Autumnwatch is cancelled
The BBC has canceled its Autumn Watch programme, saying it faces “financially tough times”.
nature series, which features Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan among the presenters, charts the British wildlife fortunes for the season and airs on BBC Two.
The BBC says the show won’t take place in 2023 and beyond as it seeks to “focus” its resources on “highest impact” content.
These are tough times financially and we need to make tough decisions and focus our resources on the highest impact content.BBC’s statement
Instead, it will funnel more money into sister programs Springwatch and Winterwatch.
A statement said: “These are difficult times financially and we need to make tough decisions and focus our resources on the highest impact content.
“Sadly, this means that Autumnwatch will not continue. We are investing more money in Springwatch and Winterwatch instead, as they are most popular with audiences.
“We are incredibly proud of Watches and would like to thank the presenters and production team, who will continue to participate in Springwatch when it returns in May for three weeks and Winterwatch when it returns in 2020. later in a week, down from two weeks.”
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Host Chris Packham recently interviewed Sir David Attenborough for Winterwatch (BBC/PA)
Watch shows are streamed live from locations across the country and rely on dozens of crews and remotely controlled hidden cameras.
The series began in 2005, with the success of Springwatch prompting the BBC to do a one-off Autumnwatch special, which became a full series in 2006.
Winterwatch started in 2012.
Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said the end of Autumnwatch presents an opportunity for the BBC to “rebalance its wildlife programme”.
He added: “The BBC covers many rural issues well and produces a lot of good countryside content, but there have been concerns about Autumnwatch’s impersonal and unrealistic approach for years.
“It won’t be missed in the countryside.”
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The BBC has saved more than £1 billion in the five years to 2021/22.
It needed to save an additional £285 million in response to the announcement in January 2022 that license fees would be frozen for the next two years.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/bbc-blames-challenging-times-financially-as-autumnwatch-is-cancelled-42325097.html BBC blames ‘financial tough times’ as Autumnwatch is cancelled
