BBC Four to go online only

[french frank]

Last time they were cost-cutting, BBC Three went online, but was later returned to being a normal broadcast service.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61591674

Will it make any difference? (Not to me, obviously … )

I see also: "Alternative funding for some performance groups such as the BBC's orchestras" - whatever that implies.

[DracoM]

Threat to Sat French / Scandi Noirs maybe? Boo Hoo.........

[oddoneout]

Another bit of the Beeb I won't be using then, to join BBC1 & 2 and all the radio stations apart from R3. Annoying in this case as I do watch, and enjoy, quite a few of the programmes.

[Keraulophone]

Poo!

[Serial_Apologist]

Last time they were cost-cutting, BBC Three went online, but was later returned to being a normal broadcast service.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61591674

Will it make any difference? (Not to me, obviously … )

I see also: "Alternative funding for some performance groups such as the BBC's orchestras" - whatever that implies.

Ruddy ridiculous putting BBC4 online only. It must be more watched by over 40s surely? - I watch it on the proper telly in the parlour much more often than I ever did BBC3. Have the kids been watching telly more than they are now said to, lately? What the heck does Auntie think she's playing at?

[Bryn]

So, broadcast viewers are to lose the pop-music (with occasional diversions into 'high art') channel, BBC FOUR. I must admit that on the rare occasions it returns to its remit, I already mainly access it via the iPlayer, just as I mainly access Radio 4 Extra via Sounds. Come to that, the same applies to Radio 3.

[oddoneout]

So, broadcast viewers are to lose the pop-music (with occasional diversions into 'high art') channel, BBC FOUR. I must admit that on the rare occasions it returns to its remit, I already mainly access it via the iPlayer, just as I mainly access Radio 4 Extra via Sounds. Come to that, the same applies to Radio 3.

My perception is that the pop element has been much less evident for some time, being usually a feature of Friday nights now. Yes the "high art" component is thin on the ground and is often reliant on past glories, but that's not so surprising given the general antipathy for many years now towards making such programmes in the first place? Is this an indication of how Suzy K wants the Beeb to go - every/anything "cultural" online and stuff the rest?

[Bryn]

My perception is that the pop element has been much less evident for some time, being usually a feature of Friday nights now. Yes the "high art" component is thin on the ground and is often reliant on past glories, but that's not so surprising given the general antipathy for many years now towards making such programmes in the first place? Is this an indication of how Suzy K wants the Beeb to go - every/anything "cultural" online and stuff the rest?

Perhaps I should also have mentioned that I cannot get BBC FOUR HD where I live, so the iPlayer offers higher definition than the standard-definition broadcast option. Similarly, Radio 3 and Radio 4 Extra are of far higher audio quality via Sounds.

[Frances_iom]

...
I see also: "Alternative funding for some performance groups such as the BBC's orchestras" - whatever that implies.

wedge - thin end thereof - any bets that the Beeb will be free of this financial encumbrance by time of next 'licence' negotiation

[french frank]

Wikipedia details the Whys of BBC Three going online, the protests which followed and the Whys of its return as a traditional TV service. It does pose some questions about the Whys of BBC Four going online.

[Dave2002]

Another bit of the Beeb I won't be using then, to join BBC1 & 2 and all the radio stations apart from R3. Annoying in this case as I do watch, and enjoy, quite a few of the programmes.

Can you not get iPlayer programmes?

When I first saw this thread I thought "Oh no...!!" and then thought - "But we watch everything on line now anwyay."

It would only affect us if they pulled the plug on programmes streamed via the iPlayer. We hardly ever watch programmes live now, other than news programmes.
For us the Negroponte switch started years ago, and is continuing.

[french frank]

It would only affect us if they pulled the plug on programmes streamed via the iPlayer. We hardly ever watch programmes live now, other than news programmes.

Hmm. One of the things the BBC admitted at the time was that putting BBC Three online would result in some loss of viewers. But that younger demographic is precisely the one the BBC has been trying desperately to attract - and BBC Three returned to television. I imagine a loss of the older demographic won't bother them quite so much.

[Bryn]

Hmm. One of the things the BBC admitted at the time was that putting BBC Three online would result in some loss of viewers. But that younger demographic is precisely the one the BBC has been trying desperately to attract - and BBC Three returned to television. I imagine a loss of the older demographic won't bother them quite so much.

I think that the BBC FOUR/Radio 4 Extra demographic is quite likely to be fairly iPlayer/Sounds savvy, on the whole.

[Petrushka]

"Alternative funding for some performance groups such as the BBC's orchestras" - whatever that implies.

I think that this is the part of the BBC statement, somewhat tacked on in the hope that no-one would notice, that we should be focussing on a bit more from our perspective.

What does 'alternative funding' mean? Sponsorship? This needs clarification as to what is meant exactly. Who's going to sponsor all the BBC orchestras in a looming recession? It looks like code for the axe to me.

BBC4 going online only has been on the cards for quite a while and I've not got that much of a problem with it for similar reasons as outlined by Bryn and Dave2002.

[DracoM]

Wikipedia details the Whys of BBC Three going online, the protests which followed and the Whys of its return as a traditional TV service. It does pose some questions about the Whys of BBC Four going online.

Smack on, FF!