BBC Three returned to TV guides on February 1 much to the dismay of some viewers, who branded the £80 million move a ‘total waste of money’ and a ‘misuse of the licence fee’.
Now, it has been revealed that many of its shows have completely flopped after drawing in dire audience figures south of 50,000, with only one programme in a recent week attracting over 100,000.
The channel, which targets viewers aged 16-34, was transferred to an online-only offering on iPlayer in February 2016 in a bid to save £30million a year, with the budget redistributed to fund dramas on BBC One.
Bawling: BBC Three returned to TV guides on February 1 much to the dismay of some viewers, who branded the £80 million move a ‘total waste of money’ and a ‘misuse of the licence fee’ (Mood is pictured)
The Fast And The Farmer-ish, which sees young farmers compete in testing tractors, was seen by only 42,890.
Mood, a drama about aspiring musician Sasha attempting to catch her big break, only managed to bring in 46,200.
Nigel Mills (Conservative MP) said, “This is typical BBC. They throw public money at projects with very little planning or concern for the consequences.
“It must urgently reconsider this. This is a total waste of money.
Oh dear: Now, it has been revealed that many of its shows have completely flopped after drawing in dire audience figures south of 50,000 (The Fast And The Farmer-ish is pictured)
According to a BBC spokesperson, “We don’t judge shows on their overnight ratings as they don’t reflect actual programme viewing since there are often multiple opportunities to view the show both on broadcast and online.”
MailOnline reached out to the BBC press office for comments.
BBC Three hosts hits such as Fleabag, Killing Eve and Normal People. However, it has also been home to Downmarket Reality TV programs like Eating With My Ex and Don’t Tell the Bride.
Julian Knight, MP for London was quick to describe the decision as “a step backwards” after it was announced in November 2018. This was apparently in an attempt to win viewers back. Figures showed that BBC Three viewing was dropping by 72% in 12 months prior to November 2019.
Flop: The channel, which targets viewers aged 16-34, was transferred to an online-only offering on iPlayer in February 2016 in a bid to save £30million a year
John Redwood, Tory MP and today’s critic of the return tweeted: “The BBC claim they are in short supply. Why are they opening BBC 3 again? They have no other services that can offer this offer.
Bewildered licence fee payers have raised concerns about the wisdom of trying attract younger viewers, when streaming services are preferred to live TV. YouGov recently found that only 20% of people aged between 18-30 view any BBC channels live daily in a YouGov poll.
A critic wrote: “Total waste” License fee misuse by the elderly and retired. You can cancel this channel. It’s not necessary to waste time on this channel.
Another posted: ‘Bringing back #bbcthree just full of repeats utter big step backwards & added costs. @BBC cannot rely on an outdated licence fee for funding. We need new sources of financing! The move to bbc3 online was an important step in the right direction. Yet again, the old stuffy BBC! You’re stuck in the past.
Controversy: Conservative MP Nigel Mills said: ‘This is typical BBC — throwing public money around on projects with little planning or worry about the consequences’
One third said: “What universe are they thinking of using to convince young people to view live TV?” You are young, and you watch live tv.
One fourth said: “What a waste on bringing back #BBCThree, it’s not there any new?” You could already watch a lot of this on iPlayer. This money could have gone to producing additional content for other channels and iPlayer.
Another tweeted: ‘#BBCThree relaunch lineup looks absolutely s**t. No new programmes. It’s just; Eating with My Ex, Drag Race & Fleabag which have been around for years. It is already available on iPlayer. It’s a waste of the licence fee.
BBC Trust declared that “independent evidence indicates younger audiences are viewing more online television and less linear TV” when it went online in February 2016.
Oh my! Mood is a drama about Sasha, an aspiring singer, trying to get her big break. It only brought in 46,200 viewers.
Since it was launched online, however, BBC Three’s viewing statistics have fallen.
Enders Analysis, a research company, found that viewings of BBC Three programming, which includes programmes on BBC Three, fell by 72% in the twelve months to November 2019 compared with its previous year.
However, iPlayer’s overall growth is impressive. In the twelve months ending April 2021, the BBC iPlayer broadcast a record 6.1 million programmes. This is an increase of 28 percent from the previous year’s 4.8 billion.
The average account uses the service every week for 10.7 million, an increase of 9.1 million in the previous year.
New show: The Fast And The Farmer-ish, which sees young farmers compete in testing tractors, was seen by only 42,890
BBC Three had been hoping to bring more viewers, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and in regions of the UK with less connectivity to the internet.
BBC Three was launched in 2003 and had the responsibility of reflecting the diversity of Britain and developing programmes covering a variety of topics, such as science and international affairs.
It was awarded several awards including British Comedy Awards, Bafta Awards, and Royal Television Society Awards.
There were many hits there, including Being Human and Torchwood (a Doctor Who spinoff), as well as Family Guy animated comedy.
Defending: A BBC spokesman said: ‘We don’t judge a show on a single overnight rating as it doesn’t reflect real pro- gramme viewing as there is often more than one opportunity to watch on both broadcast and online’
It also produced trash social experiments with young people such as Snog Marry Avoid? and Hotter Than My Daughter. These programs are not available on iPlayer.
The BBC declared in March 2014 that it would move its channel online.
The study found that young viewers have switched to streaming on-demand instead of traditional linear television.
Reports said the BBC would be saving around £30 million through the move.
The news sparked a variety of reactions including protests outside the Broadcasting House.
Angry: Outraged licence fee-payers have questioned the wisdom of trying to attract young viewers when so many favour streaming services over live TV
Over 300,000 people have signed the petition on change.org to save the channel.
Aidan Turner (Celebrity), Daniel Radcliffe, Olivia Colman (Celebrity), Lena Headey, Olivia Colman, and Richard E Grant all signed a petition to Rona Fairhead of the BBC Trust and Lord Tony Hall, in which they urged them not to take the BBC online.
The move did go ahead and BBC Three was removed from air in March 2016.
BBC Three shows are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Killing Eve was the digital channel that is home to Killing Eve. The TV version of Sally Rooney’s Normal People caused a huge lockdown on the channel.
The BBC declared in March 2021 that it would bring back the station on air.
Times are changing: A recent YouGov poll found just one in 20 people aged 18-30 watch any BBC television channels live every day
The BBC stated at the time that it would double its investment in BBC Three over the next two-years, following the successes of programs like Fleabag and Normal People.
Chairman of the Commons media, digital, culture, and sport committee Mr Knight criticized the decision. He accused BBC of investing in programmes while pensioners are being ‘chased to pay for their TV licenses’.
He stated that the BBC’s decision not to return BBC Three to its TVs was an acknowledgment of how it fails to reach younger audiences.
“I wonder if it is right to set the clock back five more years in order to gain over the 18-35s. This is happening while those aged 75 and over are being chased for more money to buy their TV licences.
Oh, dear! The BBC hoped to increase viewers for BBC Three’s live TV by returning to television in real time, especially among those with lower socio-economic statuses and less connectivity to the internet (RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus World, pictured).
Ofcom gave the go-ahead for BBC Three in November.
This was in response to concerns that the BBC would not reach young viewers.
The BBC was also required to ensure at least “75 percent of the hours broadcast annually must be original programs”, as the BBC has commissioned them for the UK audience.
At 7pm, the channel will be back on the air. Tonight’s launch party for BBC Three is followed by an episode of Eating With My Ex. RuPaul spinoff RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus The World premieres.
Entertaining: BBC Three is home to hits like Normal People, Fleabag and Killing Eve but in the past has been a hub for downmarket reality TV programming like Eating With My Ex, Don’t Tell the Bride and Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents
Some viewers shared their joy on Twitter, expressing excitement about the return of the channel and saying that they “can’t wait” to tune in.
BBC Three will broadcast at 7pm each night on Freeview Sky Virgin Freesat.
The broadcaster stated that it will have a multi-genre content offering, with audiences able to expect rich content from drama, comedy and entertainment as well as news and sports.
Fiona Campbell (BBC Three Controller) described the style of BBC Three as unfiltered, unapologetic or extraordinary.
She stated that the channel was all about giving viewers a concentrated view of what it’s like to be young today in Britain. The show captures this intense emotion and feels.
BBC Three will focus new programmes on regional content.
Gill Hind is the Enders Analysis director for TV. He said that it was a sensible decision to return to TV.
The Times reported that she said: “What was unusual was the BBC’s decision to abandon a channel. While it’s difficult for the BBC to recover all their audience, the BBC will try to attract more 16-34-year olds. If that happens, the BBC hopes that they can get them to switch over to BBC1 or BBC2.
Amazing: Normal People, a BBC Three hit that was created in response to the outbreak of pandemics last March.