BBC Revamps Schedules For The Autumn Season

BBC3, the new entertainment channel for young adults, has revamped its schedules following reports that its launch was marred by a confusing array of programmes.

The channel’s controller, Stuart Murphy, has reorganised the autumn schedule into zones to make it easier for viewers to understand and has reportedly admitted that the channel was ‘unnavigatable’ at the beginning.

The move will see a number of programmes disappear from the schedules, including a chat show fronted by Johnny Vaughan and a series hosted by Dom Joly. A number of new programmes have also been launched in an attempt to boost the channel’s weekly share of viewing, which has hovered around the 0.6% mark.

The autumn schedule will feature hidden camera show, 3 Non Blondes and satirical animation, Monkey Dusk, which both return for new runs, alongside Radio 4’s Little Britain and Julia Davis’ Nighty Nighty. Jerry Hall will present a three part look at alternatives to mainstream religion and spiritualism across the world, and James Gooding will investigate the underground art scene across Europe and New York in Art And The City.

Commenting on the new schedule, Murphy said: “We have been on air for a little over six months and I think we’re really starting to get under the skin of the audience, find out what they want and shape the channel accordingly.”

BBC3, which launched earlier this year following a series of delays and setbacks, has been strongly criticised by rival broadcasters, which claim that the channel is unnecessary in a market already well served by commercial TV (see Commercial Broadcasters Unite To Halt BBC3).

However, the BBC is hailing the channel a success and claims that 2.4 million 25 to 34 year-old viewers tuned into the channel during its first month on air (see BBC Hails New Digital Channel A Success With Youth Audience).

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk

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