Is mainstream British Television beyond all hope of redemption?

Question

As a square eyed TV fan I have watched TV for a long time, which along with reading was my favorite form of evening relaxation and entertainment. It has however sunk so low in my estimation recently, that the "Off " button, and Booting up the computer seem to be the only altenatives. I have a Sky package, but that has so many repeats that I seem to know the script for all the decent programmes off by heart. Is Selina Scott's message on channel 5 last night likely to get through?

Already have a wood-burning stove.

I continue to pay my licence fee without complaint as I am a great fan of Radio 3 which in addition to playing interesting music, also offers interesting programmes, and decent succinct news bullitins in the morning.
Radio 4 isn't bad either - if it wasn't for the repeats.
Pity about the Tele.

Answer 1

As long as there's a pulse left in David Attenborough, it's arguable that mainstream UK programming will not have gone down entirely into the murk. That said, the days when UK TV had a legitimate function in expanding popular knowledge, improving standards of expression, and providing legitimate 'celebrity through expertise', rather than celebrity through appearance on TV, appears to be drawing to a close.

Selina Scott's message last night was eloquent and intelligent, but it is unlikely to make any significant change to the standards of broadcasting, simply because what has led us to this state is choice. There used to be a truism in TV circles that the BBC existed to provide all the programming that the 'ordinary public' would never pay for if they were given a choice.

Well, choice is exactly what they were given. Hundreds of channels of choice, much of it tailored specifically to cater to to the worst instinct of human beings - the voyeuristic, the interactive (with the chance perhaps to BECOME a celebrity), the graphically violent, the boisterously sexual, the 'laddish'. Once it became acceptable to feed the lowest common denominators in us all, the downgrading of quality entertainment was inevitable - there are more people prepared to pay for trash TV than quality TV, and to ensure they maintain a ratings presence, every channel has to compete on that level.

The reason the quality TV on Sky feels like a repeat is that often it IS a repeat of a show that would not be made any longer, or it is a new show aimed at evoking that same level of quality from previous eras (which channels can only get away with producing by ensuring they also fill the screen with a lot of pop trash TV to 'justify' the occasional old-fashioned diamond).

Time to dust off the library card, maybe?

Answer 2

I find that most of the things I watch are American. Star Trek Enterprise, films, Stargate, Futurama. Sky is particularly bad, as there are only about 15 channels which are ever worth watching. And all the others are just as you say repeat channels. I think that the British are quite happy to rest on their laurels whilst America completely takes over the media, which is a terrible thing. The only things we can do better are documentaries at the moment. When compared to the sheer mass of what America produces, we have a hard time competing. We really need to pull our fingers out and make some good quality series which will also be popular in America to show them how it is done. We have got a great history of doing it, we just need to stop making pride & Prejudice and make some big budget stuff like the US.

Answer 3

I am the same, BBC 6 music on and some surfing to my online mates and matesses. I know that broadband has changed my habits greatly. I think that it is the new TV, we are going through an electronic/communications revolution and that the Telly is only one part of it. It will not have an end, it will get more and more integrated (human greed not withstanding) and the wired life will be a lot more acessible to most westerners. If they want it so that is.
Having said that, I do like BBC4. S**t hot documentaries.

Answer 4

The world of TV is governed by the profit motive more than ever these days.

Why make a decent program when for the same money you can make a reality TV or makeover show and probably draw the same amount of viewers.

It won't change until the people in charge get bored of the programs that are on and that is highly unlikely as profits come first.

Answer 5

hi :) - so your no longer watching tv, but paying the license fee, and for your sky package, and you wonder why its getting worse and worse.... how sad.. take a look in the mirror, dump your tv, cancel your subscription. tell your friends to do the same.
WHilst viewing figures are high, and people keep paying, they wont change
The problem we have is budgets, now stations have seen, how the public, for little or no money, can be made to make fools of themselves(pop idol)and how then, they can make 3 months of tv out of it, for the cost of 1 or 2 third rate presenters..... you see where im going... why spend money, when everyone wants 2 minutes of fame...

Answer 6

I think you are right, it is past redemption and has been for some time.... Do what I do, use SKY+ and record the TV that I want to watch, then play it when I want to watch it, otherwise it's evenings in with a good book and some decent music....

Answer 7

As long as we've still got Doctor Who there's a little hope left.

Even the BBC has succumbed to voyeuristic rubbish, with last night's proggy on BBC3 about three women who thought their boobs were too small and wanted to do something about it.

Sad, so sad, they were all gorgeous just as they were.

Answer 8

Yes it is. I didn't see the message. TV is diabolically awful. The more channels, the more worthless the content. Forget TV. Get a wood fire instead - that's what I'm gonna do.

Answer 9

Yes, it looks like we're done for! On 1-5 it's c r a p, and on digi it's repeated c r a p. Can't win, can we!!!

Answer 10

I'd say it 99% crap with an occasional diamond coming out of the rough. Then again, you could say that about almost any medium.