TV viewers 'left cynical by BBC output'

Audiences are being left "cynical and disappointed" by safe programming offered on the BBC channels, a senior BBC Trust representative has claimed.

Speaking at a private seminar last month, trustee Diane Coyle told senior programme makers and BBC controllers about her fears for the increasingly mediocre state of British television, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Coyle, who is leading the Trust's review of BBC One, Two, Three and Four, revealed that some distinct themes are already emerging from the around 7,000 items of public feedback on the consultation.

"Viewers are becoming increasingly cynical and disappointed by the programmes offered by the BBC and the UK's other main TV channels," she said.

"Among the negative comments there are complaints about a lack of variety, too much soap or costume drama…disappointment about old series being brought back and a degree of cynicism over 'rehashing' and ripping off old ideas."

Over the Christmas period, around 600 hours of repeats were shown on Britain's main terrestrial channels. However, the BBC was particularly criticised for 75 appearances by Doctor Who actor David Tennant on its main channels at the expense of other actors.

Also speaking at the private meeting, which was attended by controller of BBC One Jay Hunt and head of BBC Vision Jana Bennett, fellow BBC trustee David Liddiment said that format shows are now saturating the schedules on BBC channels. He further warned that public service broadcasters should "resist the lure of the pre-packaged and predictable".

"Hand on heart, how many of these shows currently on air can we apply the words, 'fresh, imaginative, different' to? I think we'd be more likely to describe them as 'reliable, predictable, safe'," said Liddiment.

"What was once fresh, over time becomes reliable and eventually, after much imitation, becomes exhausted - and audiences start to drift away or become disillusioned or feel that television isn’t fresh or new enough."

Stephen Garrett, who runs Spooks and Life On Mars producer Kudos, questioned why the money generated from commercial body BBC Worldwide is not being used more effectively to fund creative programme making.

"There is a big issue about what the hell happens to all the money that BBC Worldwide is making. I think there is a sense that the BBC isn't necessarily deploying its funds properly. And if it is, then make it clearer," he said.

"There is an opportunity to fund properly the kind of programmes that are at the heart of public service and that are at risk - and not just drama. The crisis is real and present."

Discussing the seminar and its aims, a BBC spokesman said: "The purpose of the day was for the group, including television industry leaders outside the BBC, to look at what more can be done to achieve even greater success in the arena of distinctiveness in programming.

"It was a valuable and productive seminar and one that proved extremely constructive for all parties involved."