http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/ ... io1-advert

*Rant to get debate going *

Brooker may be right; have you seen those ads?

They're the freakiest load of w*nk I've seen in a long time

And I've long argued against the ads telling me I'm watching the BBC. I already knew that, and yes, I understand branding is important, but I'd sooner the money was put into a good programme, or at least ads for good programmes - I don't know how many times I've nearly missed the start of a new series (or return of an old one) I'd actually watch, all cos it's ads have been shown around the likes of Strictly B0ll0cks

And don't get me started with dedicating BBC news stories to the likes of who won 'I was vaguely familiar in the 80s, get me out of here'...

*Rant to get debate going*

Does this sort of thing get on the tits of anyone else here? Think the BBC's on the slide overall? Or are you generally happy with it?

As I say, just trying to get debate going

I am not a great fan of the BBC in it's current form.

Look at the US. Yes, I know they have a bazillion channels to fill, and most of it's dross. But compare their original drama programming to ours - we're just not brave or original enough for some reason.
There seems to be braver choices made with regard to original programming than the BBC makes. I can't imagine the BBC commissioning something like Fringe, Dollhouse, Generation Kill or True Blood, can you?

I think part of the problem with the examples given there Prof (and I'm not criticizing you here, more the battle for ratings), is that we so rarely see anything like that that's 'homegrown', which I think leads to people assuming it'll automatically be crap

It wasn't really my cup of tea, but I wouldn't mind seeing more joint productions ala Rome's BBC/HBO pairing - just stick them on BBC1 at a decent time ffs and advertise them in a way that'll appeal to both sexes and, where possible, younger viewers (the Playstation/graphic novel generation) too. Purely talking about the 'demographic' thing, it seems to have worked for Dr Who...

Generation Kill - starring Martin Clunes and Caroline Quentin.

Or Jimmy Nesbitt and Nell McAndrew.

The BBC is re making Day of the Triffids. Remember the last time they did this? It was transmitted at (IIRC) 8:30pm. What’s on in this time slot now? To use Brooker’s language: wank.

The BBC HAS done some good stuff. I have missed Criminal Justice due to mitigating circumstances (viz. visiting grandma). Last year’s Criminal Justice was gripping stuff. I really liked it (maybe I can catch it all on iPlayer - though I suspect I’ll be S.O.O.L on that one give continuing hospital excursions). There was Torchwood. I am quite liking Merlin in a throwaway sword and sorcery kind of way too. The problem is that the BBC is pandering TOO much to the lowest common denominator. Does Strictly Come Dancing HAVE to be 2+ hours long? It’s cheap, pap TV which has no place on a channel supposedly putting out quality programming. It should really be on ITV, along with the Lottery show.

The BBC is getting it wrong too much - it is dumbing down - I remember Panorama being quality investigative journalism. Not it’s an extension of Jeremy Vine’s radio show which panders to the moronity of the Daily Mail readers who feel that they have an opinion worthy of broadcast. Horizon is far more light weight now - yes, get Alan Davies in to do stuff but please credit him with the intelligence he clearly has. He’s only the idiot on QI because they need a stooge to make Fry look über brainy.

I like the BBC - I like BBC4 because it seems to broadcast more quality thinking programmes than 1,2 or 3 do ( do watch these channels as well - but I pick an choose). The problem with the BBC is that it is chasing audience figures in deference to quality.

Cant remember the last time I sat to watch a programme on BBC1 or BBC2 - sometimes watch BBC4.

Only programme I make time for every week is Secret Millionaire - and thats on C4 or C5.

Too much dross on BBC channels

I have a ton of stuff from the Beeb on my DVD shelf. The only problem is most of it is from the 80s and 90s. None of the recent stuff.

+1, they don't realise that they could have so many more viewers ie the ones who aren't currently being catered for by any of the mainstream channels.

The BBC are still good. The only thing I watch on ITV is Doc Martin.

The vast majority of TV particularly Saturday nights is to appeal to the lowest common denominator, with the objective of getting the public to ring in to vote for someone or other. The BBC still do great shows. I love Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You, but that is only a small segment of their schedule. If I am watching some big event like elections royal events then the BBC are king.

There has been nothing on any of the channels that has appealed to me recently, My TV watching consists of Doc Martin, then Channel 5's American Football in the early hours of Monday morning. Other than that I barely put the telly on.

At this point, you could count the shows I watch on the BBC on one hand - all the good ones have ended recently or not too long ago. MTW, HIGNFY, New Tricks... Those were about the only shows I watched out of the BBC's entire schedule

TG's on it's way back in November, but it'd need to be better than the last series or I'll quit watching it altogether, and it pains me to say that

This currently comes under 'Other main stories' on the BBC's News site:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8304204.stm

Obviously it's of interest to someone, and I hope the poor woman the best no matter what happens, but it's hardly news in the grand scheme of things is it?

Better tune in on Friday then.

Sweet! Cheers

+1