Quote: PhQnix @ April 29 2010, 5:46 PM BST
You are picking and choosing a bit there, cheesehoven. Kind of ignoring the BBC's dedication in other areas. Perhaps a brief look over their news shows or the way they handle sport would change your mind? How about success stories such as the revamped Doctor Who or long-running comedic panel shows such as QI or Have I Got News For You? What about their coverage of music festivals during the summer months? Or their political shows like Question Time? How about the radio stations? Innovative stations like BBC6Music or maybe established stations like Radio One and Two? What about music shows like Jools Holland which remains the only show on British television to actually broadcast new music?
Obviously I have just picked at what I personally consider to be the highlights of the BBC's output, but feel secure in saying that I watch them far more than any other broadcaster.
You ask for innovative programme-making but I don't particularly find that there is any level of innovation going on elsewhere in the British television industry which begins to compete with the BBC. Yes, the US manages to put out a few more shows a year than the BBC does which we could consider 'good' or 'innovative' - but we do get the filtered version of what goes out over the US airwaves. No broadcaster here will pick up a flagging or dire American show, so we will only see the very best of what they create. Beyond this you're comparing the output of what basically amounts to an entire continent with the output of one broadcasting corporation on a relatively tiny island nation. There is no real contest when America has more talent to draw upon and more finance to mobilise it.
I love the BBC. I can't believe anyone in this country would begin to think about getting rid of its publicly-funded status.
You must consider the possibility that the lack of innovation in this country's TV is due to the presence of the BBC? It is rather like having a state funded grocery which stifles other people starting their own grocers. A well-funded state monolith actually destroys the free market ethos.
No doubt the US has more than its share of duffers, but how many British Tv shows are worthy of appearing on American TV? Our dross is as bad as theirs, but our quality falls far short.
Most of the good stuff you mention could easily be produced in a revitalised free market television environment. One does not need a BBC to produce Dr. Who. The states have had star trek, Battlestar Galactica, Quantum Leap etc. All these things came from non subsidised stations. The BBC has done its best actually to prevent Dr Who returning.
The panel shows you mention have been done to death. Question Time only exists now as a hangover from a former (better) age for the BBC. If it had never been invented, it would not be created now.
If you believe the BBC is so great, why not have it as a subscription service? Then you would know how many people agree with you.
