A textbook example is unfolding of a self-inflicted PR problem at the BBC.
News of a change in format for Blue Peter became public knowledge through a social media post by much-loved former presenter Simon Thomas, now a respected sports broadcaster.
BP will no longer be broadcast live on a linear channel and will appear first on the iPlayer.
Simon made a point of stressing that BP is not finishing.
The exact change in format is not clear at the time of writing.
Will BP simply be pre-recorded or go out live on the iPlayer? Or will the show’s character change?
But a few things are clear.
- Blue Peter is not being axed.
- Blue Peter will still be broadcast on the CBBC channel and repeated on BBC Two on Saturday mornings.
However that hasn’t stopped some journalists or websites writing up stories based on the premise that the programme is finishing.
Modern Blue Peter does not get s big audience but its heritage ensures it is a programme of corporate significance.
The changes should have been proactively announced to prevent what is, in effect, fake news brought about by what looks like the wilful misunderstanding of Simon’s comments.
Cue the pictures of Val, John and Peter to get people of a certain age – who wouldn’t recognise modern BP – clicking, outraged or nostalgic.
Val last regularly presented BP in 1972. By my reckoning anyone who watched BP as s child during that golden era is now in their late-50s or 60s.
Whether the latest changes are for the best is another matter entirely.
BP’s live and unpredictable format gave it a very special character.
For twenty years after Biddy Baxter’s departure in 1988, subsequent editors did an amazing job – respecting the programme’s past and traditions while also modernising the style and content.
Since the late-noughties the format, content and style of presentation have been very different. That is not said as a criticism. The programme exists for today’s children – not its former viewers.
But it remains a programme which is loved by many who have not seen it for a long time.
If you were a fan of W1A, you’ll know all about the unexpected bad stories or potential disasters which were called “incoming”.
The BBC should quickly set out publicly just what is happening to BP.
Nobody wants its young fans to be upset thinking that it is coming to an end.
And nobody wants irate adults getting agitated about something which is not happening.
The changes may or may not be right.
But let the discussion be about what is actually happening and why.
Remember too that it had once looked as if all CBBC output would have been online by now. But there’s still no sign of the linear channel shutting.
UPDATE: the BBC has since issued a statement to radiotimes.com:
“Blue Peter won’t just be available to view online and will remain on the CBBC and BBC Two linear channels, as well as BBC iPlayer and sign zone. The programme has been a mix of live and pre-recorded shows for decades and has transitioned to a pre-record model as viewing habits change.
“Blue Peter continues to be loved by generations across the UK. As we continue to navigate a challenging market and young audience viewing habits evolve, it is necessary to make some changes to ensure that BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions delivers a dynamic, digital-first brand that will future-proof the show and sustain its legacy for years to come.”
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Blue Peter opening titles. COPYRIGHT: BBC.