Rachel_Sandford
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In response to the Freedom of Information request, the BBC just revealed that they're current programming is very reliant on repeats or reruns. Likely to be one of the after-effects of having their license fees frozen, the financial constraints have led to a whopping number of repeats.
According to the figures, 32.5% of programming on BBC1 are repeats. During peak viewing hours last year, 6:30pm-10:30pm, about 8.4% were repeats. The channel aired a total of 2,736 reruns in the past year. On BBC2, 49.8% of the shows are repeats, and 28.3% of peak hours are taken up by these reruns. BBC3 has a staggering 84.2% of repeats, and BBC4 is not far behind with 78.8%.
In total, about 61% of BBC programming, across the BBC channels, are repeats. BBC1 is likely to have the lowest percentage of repeats as the corporation is focused on creating new content and offer the best value for its license fee payers. However, plenty of shows that are first aired on BBC3 and BBC4 are repeated on BBC1 and BBC2.
According to a BBC spokesperson: “Repeats are scheduled to reach different audiences and are rarely shown in the same slot. On BBC One, for example, over 91% of programmes in primetime are new... Audiences value having several opportunities to catch something they may have missed.”
Isn't iPlayer made for catching up on shows that have been missed?
“Digital channels tend to have higher repeat rates than terrestrial channels because they have fewer programmes as a result of lower budgets,” said the spokesperson. “Audience research shows that audiences understand that digital channels operate differently to terrestrial channels and value having several opportunities to catch something that they may have missed.”
In other words, those who have iPlayer are likely to think the repeats are too much, while the less tech-savvy may value the reruns. After all, there has been great success for some repeats, like Come Dine With Me.
Critics are not satisfied with the Beeb's explanation though. A representative from the TaxPayers' Alliance said that this large percentage is a disservice.
“Viewers will feel cheated that they are getting endless repeats in return for their licence fee each year. Auntie should scrap BBC Three if there aren't enough new programmes. Bosses need to focus on delivering high-quality and unique programming.”
In its present situation, it is unlikely that the BBC can really devote much more to new programming. License fee payers are likely to continue to see repeats for quite some time.
According to the figures, 32.5% of programming on BBC1 are repeats. During peak viewing hours last year, 6:30pm-10:30pm, about 8.4% were repeats. The channel aired a total of 2,736 reruns in the past year. On BBC2, 49.8% of the shows are repeats, and 28.3% of peak hours are taken up by these reruns. BBC3 has a staggering 84.2% of repeats, and BBC4 is not far behind with 78.8%.
In total, about 61% of BBC programming, across the BBC channels, are repeats. BBC1 is likely to have the lowest percentage of repeats as the corporation is focused on creating new content and offer the best value for its license fee payers. However, plenty of shows that are first aired on BBC3 and BBC4 are repeated on BBC1 and BBC2.
According to a BBC spokesperson: “Repeats are scheduled to reach different audiences and are rarely shown in the same slot. On BBC One, for example, over 91% of programmes in primetime are new... Audiences value having several opportunities to catch something they may have missed.”
Isn't iPlayer made for catching up on shows that have been missed?
“Digital channels tend to have higher repeat rates than terrestrial channels because they have fewer programmes as a result of lower budgets,” said the spokesperson. “Audience research shows that audiences understand that digital channels operate differently to terrestrial channels and value having several opportunities to catch something that they may have missed.”
In other words, those who have iPlayer are likely to think the repeats are too much, while the less tech-savvy may value the reruns. After all, there has been great success for some repeats, like Come Dine With Me.
Critics are not satisfied with the Beeb's explanation though. A representative from the TaxPayers' Alliance said that this large percentage is a disservice.
“Viewers will feel cheated that they are getting endless repeats in return for their licence fee each year. Auntie should scrap BBC Three if there aren't enough new programmes. Bosses need to focus on delivering high-quality and unique programming.”
In its present situation, it is unlikely that the BBC can really devote much more to new programming. License fee payers are likely to continue to see repeats for quite some time.
