BBC Programming Has Declined, Says 40% Of The Population

Over a third of the UK population believe that the quality of programming on the BBC has declined but still value its quality. These are the results of a CIA Sensor survey in which adults were asked their opinions on multi-channel and public service broadcasting.

The results are timely, coming as they do in the week when the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee rejected plans for the introduction of an extra charge to the licence fee to help fund the BBC’s digital services (see MPs Reject BBC Digital Licence Levy). The BBC believes extra funds should be available to ensure the high standard of programming on multi-channel platforms.

The CIA survey reveals a general dissatisfaction with current multichannel provision: 59% of the population believe “pay-per-view is a rip-off”; 66% of those in multi-channel homes agree with this sentiment; only 13% of people think pay-per-view TV is a “really good idea”.

A large percentage of the population, however, still believe that the BBC continues to define quality and score its programme genres as highly as ever: 45% think the BBC “provides good light entertainment programmes” and 56% enjoy the quality of its drama.

CIA MediaLab: 0171 803 2000