A beloved BBC series featuring a national treasure may be at risk of cancellation due to cost-cutting measures.
Expensive productions at risk
Renowned shows like Sir David Attenborough's Planet Earth and Wild Isles could be directly affected by the BBC's budget constraints.
According to media consultant Alice Enders, the 97-year-old presenter's programs are costly to produce, making them vulnerable to potential cuts. "If the licence fee continues to decrease, the BBC will have to make savings on its big-ticket items, leaving nothing immune," she said. "This could mean fewer high-end dramas, as streaming platforms are driving up prices. Just the costume budget for The Crown is enormous."
Enders also noted that while Attenborough's natural history series sell well globally, they too come with a hefty price tag. "More co-productions with international broadcasters would be necessary," she added.
Tough times for the BBC
This news comes after the BBC recently announced a reduction in the running time of Newsnight to just 30 minutes, as well as other cost-saving measures.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the long-running series Doctors would be cancelled after 23 years on air due to falling ratings and affordability issues within the BBC's daytime schedule.
Kate Oates, the show runner, confirmed that the current batch of episodes being filmed will be the last, with the final episode set to air in December 2024.
