BBC Faces Commercial Wrath With More Fame Academy
The BBC is readying itself for a backlash from commercial broadcasters, after revealing it is to produce a second series of the reality TV show, Fame Academy.
Announcing the new series, the Corporation was keen to emphasise the ‘public service’ and charitable nature of the show, after the previous series raised £1 million for good causes. Profit accrued via phone calls and record sales from the new series will be added to the Fame Academy Bursary fund, set up to give thousands of talented performers the chance to pursue their dreams.
The first series of Fame Academy got off to a shaky start and was quickly dubbed ‘Lame Academy’ by some sections of the press, after its initial shows gained audiences around the 4 million mark (see BBC’s Fame Academy Suffers From Pop Stars Fatigue).
However, media commentators wrote off the show too quickly and it proved to be a ratings success for the BBC, attracting a top audience of 8.2 million for its two part Friday night final (see BBC’s Fame Academy Finishes On A High Note). More than 14 million phone votes were registered during the series, with the final achieving a peak as 6.9 million viewers voted, making it the highest ever poll for a BBC show.
David Sneddon, the winner of the first series, will be advising the Fame Academy Bursary’s Board of Trustees. He commented: “As a struggling young singer songwriter, I was desperate for someone to give me the break I needed. My chance came through Fame Academy, and I hope thousands of others get the opportunity they need through the £1 million raised so far and whatever we can raise during this second series.”
Reality TV is set to dominate the schedules again over the coming months, with ITV’s second series of I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here (see I’m A Celebrity Proves A Ratings Winner For ITV1) and the fourth series of Big Brother (see 02 To Sponsor Big Brother With Enhanced Interactivity) at the forefront.
BBC: 020 8743 8000www.bbc.co.uk
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