26-01-2022, 09:23 PM
tellyblues post_id=65179 time= user_id=1333 Wrote:Regarding programmes getting axed, some come to a natural end and some after viewers realize how long they have been watching them. It's coming up to 20 years for the likes of Strictly, The Apprentice etc and a number of shows that people consider "new" and if they ham up these anniversaries (which they probably will), it may well be the death knell for them.Most long running shows show the signs they've been running that bit too long for a few years before they finally get the chop - Big Brother and The X Factor the obvious recent examples. Strictly is just not in that position at the moment - ratings are robust, the show still feels fresh and the only reason it comes up as a possibility for the axe is due to the licence fee discussion. Other than that there are no merits at all for it to be axed. At most they might cut an episode or two from the run to make a cost saving - going from 13 to 12 weeks (and this year 12 weeks is likely anyway due to the World Cup) would cut the costs in line with the overall percentage of cost savings needed without compromising it's future at all.
I don't watch The Apprentice and never have but it isn't a show that people seem to tire of, even if it's formula changes very little from series to series. I think the fact there have been a couple of occassions where there has been an 18-24 month gap between series has helped it's longevity.
The only long running shows which really regularly comes up in the axe conversation on the basis of ratings and quality of the programme are EastEnders and Doctor Who - and investments recently suggest both are going nowhere in the short term at least.
@Brekkietweets