0
BBC bosses are under fire for the decision to axe BBC Three next autumn as comedians and actors band together to defend the station as a breeding ground for new talent and ideas.
The channel is set to become online-only as the BBC attempts to claw back £100million on the licence fee.
The axing of BBC Three has been heavily criticised, with the channel being hailed for produced big hits and winning large digital audiences with shows such as Gavin & Stacey, which in turn gave James Corden a break into the industry.
It is commonly held wisdom that with less budget to play with than other outlets of the BBC, good writing and a promising pilot are essential to having a programme commissioned by BBC Three.
The Revolution Will Be Televised writer and actor Heydon Prowse, who’s show found its home on BBC three said that without BBC Three taking a chance on him – his show would never have been created and gone on to win a Bafta.
Adding that only BBC Three had the nerve to put them on air and allowing them to go after politicians performing outrageous pranks, such as giving George Osbourne a GCSE maths textbook.
Heydon said: “I couldn’t believe the BBC had the guts to allow us to do the show.
“While other channels are churning out empty-calorie TV – where we can laugh at poor people fulfilling their own stereotypes by being poor, or watch celebrity nail-painting talent shows – BBC3 is creating non-patronising, genuinely youth-focused content.”
He argues that middle class, middle aged audiences are more than adequately represented and the £22 million spent on The Voice, would be better spent on encouraging new talent.