BBC3 under fire for repeating Two Pints too often

It has been revealed that an episode of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps has been repeated, on average, a staggering 14 times a year by the BBC.

'Dump', an episode from season three of the teenage sitcom, which first aired on the 20th April 2003, has been broadcast a total of 57 times by the BBC, 56 of which were on the BBC3. At one point 'Dump' was repeated seven times in just one week!

With the sitcom also enjoying regular outings on UKTV Gold and UKTV G2, and available in full on DVD, the BBC has been put under pressure by viewers to explain why it repeats the bawdy, and some would say un-funny and annoying, comedy so often. The common question seeming to be "Why not repeat something we haven't seen for a while instead?"

In 2005 Michael Grade, the then BBC Chairman, made a promise to viewers that he would oversee a reduction in repeat programming across the entire BBC – however since he defected to ITV it would appear the BBC have quietly given up on his plan.

It would seem many viewers are particularly angry by the un-even handling of repeats. Some sitcoms like Two Pints are endlessly repeated whilst the BBC seems to be reluctant to give some better received series another airing - for example Waiting For God and Just Good Friends. Due to all the Two Pints repeats there doesn't even seem to be room in the schedule to repeat some of BBC3's own comedies like Grass and Monkey Dust.

One viewer who contacted us said: "From where I'm sitting the repeat slots on BBC3 are a great place to give older comedies another airing – I'd love to see stuff like Operation Good Guys and The Peter Principle again - yet instead the BBC seem obsessed with trying to feed me low-brow **** like Two Pints ad infinitum."

The BBC has defended its repeat policy: "We understand that it may be frustrating for some viewers to see Little Britain and Two Pints of Lager regularly on BBC Three if they are not fans, but both series have a huge following and audiences do enjoy it, so we try to keep it in the schedule, albeit later in the evening."

"Research shows us digital viewers appreciate and expect other opportunities to catch their favourite shows and the number of viewers regularly tuning in for Two Pints and Little Britain bears testament to this. Another reason is that on occasions we use these shows to launch or support other programmes. The BBC also shows some key programmes more than once to maximise value for money for the viewing public."