BBC Four & CBBC to close

[Kunst]

BBC Four has higher ratings than BBC3. It’s audience base is still a linear viewing group where many will never switch to the non linear viewing habits of younger people. I know plenty of people who simply miss a programme if it clashes with something else they like rather than record or seek a catch-up.

But much less money is spent on Four than Three... leaving Three as a linear channel ensures that newer content BBC has actually spent money on is watched by many people (not just younger people)

BBC Four's audience can be easily moved to Two, in addition to iPlayer.

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I think it's difficult for forum members born after 1990 to understand just how exciting the launch of digital TV was.

When the Beeb launched its extra channels, it felt like the right time. News 24, Choice, Knowledge, Parliament. Of course, a few million people had satellite and cable but the vast majority didn't so multi-channel TV was something of the future, something like what they had in America.

The Beeb's additional channels were seen, IIRC, as crucial for persuading people to switch from analogue to digital as well.

From the perspective of 2022, there does seem to be over-stretch - totally get that. But from the perspective of 1998, it was a brave new world and the new niche BBC channels, particularly BBC4, would have the freedom to be truly public sector broadcasting while BBC1 and BBC2 had to dip their toes in PSB and populism.

Of course, that was a definitely a thing to do in 1998 or around that time, a very exciting and very needed change
Of course, now it feels a bit redundant, but nevertheless, the likes of Cbeebies still work