BBC Four & CBBC to close

[Newshound47]

I’m not sure making Iplayer pay only while keeping the license fee would be accepted by a lot of people in this day and age.

[L1]

To all those saying CBeebies and cbbc couldn’t be merged, why couldn’t they do CBeebies from 9.30-3.30 and cbbc outside of those times? Keeping their own respective EPG places. Any parents wanting the CBeebies bedtime stories or whatever could just put it on iPlayer. Not personably advocating this but curious as to why so many think it’s impossible

That is an option of course but that deprives the bigger CBeebies audience of programmes at peaktimes of the day, and it is presumably an audience less likely to stream shows compared to the older kids. Having a BBC Two block at breakfast and/or afternoons for CBBC just makes more sense IMO.

[gottago]

To all those saying CBeebies and cbbc couldn’t be merged, why couldn’t they do CBeebies from 9.30-3.30 and cbbc outside of those times? Keeping their own respective EPG places. Any parents wanting the CBeebies bedtime stories or whatever could just put it on iPlayer. Not personably advocating this but curious as to why so many think it’s impossible

That is an option of course but that deprives the bigger CBeebies audience of programmes at peaktimes of the day, and it is presumably an audience less likely to stream shows compared to the older kids. Having a BBC Two block at breakfast and/or afternoons for CBBC just makes more sense IMO.

I think the BBC Two slots are a likely compromise for CBBC. BBC Two barely registers ratings-wise until the 5pm Flog It repeats on weekdays so I can see it being an easy way of defusing any concerns about closing the channel further down the line. I wonder if Pres would survive though.

[natashajacobs]

To all those saying CBeebies and cbbc couldn’t be merged, why couldn’t they do CBeebies from 9.30-3.30 and cbbc outside of those times? Keeping their own respective EPG places. Any parents wanting the CBeebies bedtime stories or whatever could just put it on iPlayer. Not personably advocating this but curious as to why so many think it’s impossible

That is an option of course but that deprives the bigger CBeebies audience of programmes at peaktimes of the day, and it is presumably an audience less likely to stream shows compared to the older kids. Having a BBC Two block at breakfast and/or afternoons for CBBC just makes more sense IMO.

Considering the age range for CBeebies is at home all day I don’t think it would make a major difference. Bing has been one of the most popular shows on the whole of iPlayer so if anything the content would be less likely to get lost. Just my opinion of course, I’d shove 3 and 4 off despite the unpopularity because PSB kids channels seems to me a key part of what makes the BBC

[RR]

I do agree losing both 3 and 4 would give 2 a new lease of life.  There's so much stuff on both networks that 25 years ago would have found a natural home on BBC Two.  Had The Fast Show come in the 2000's, it would have been a BBC Three show but it's on BBC Two where it made its name in the 90's.  So there's method in the madness on doing that.  Archive material of course, by its very nature is ripe content for streaming.

Life has changed. In an age with just four channels, and no internet or any other domestic distraction, the odd programme aimed to one type of audience in a mixed schedule could be watched. Today with several hundred channels, all of the streaming services, and everything else on the internet and via mobiles, the odd programme in a mixed schedule is likely to be lost.

[Newshound47]

Do the age group who watch archive stuff stream as much through. That’s a big factor.

[Brekkie]

I also think with any archive you need some curation. Indeed you do with new content too. Of course curating can be done in a streaming space too - it's probably part of the reason they plan to keep the BBC4 brand online.

[Col87]

Right this has been said how many times CBBC and CBeebies can not be merged. You can’t go from Newsround or a drama like the dumping ground which could be dealing with issues such as puberty or death to in the night garden. 
Same as how BBC news and Parliament can’t be merged. You can’t carry something like a Committee session and cover something like a major news story at the same time.

And it's been said many times that before 2002, there was No CBeebies, I'm sorry but that is the truth and it wouldn't have existed anyway had it not been for Greg Dyke and Nigel Pickard.

I just feel it's unfair for a children's audience under the age of 6 for when they reach 6 leave watching the younger kids channel and going to a older channel for over 6's, that's why it is much, much better to have a merged CBBC because that is the way that the audience when they reach 6 can still watch CBBC but choose not to watch younger programmes. Just think about it yeah.

Right serious question do you actually have children ?   Should we go even further back and have whoever the announcer is that day just do normal continuity announcements into the children’s shows ditching both brands altogether.   The reason they split was because it called progress. Even before Nigel Pickard took over the BBC already had plans to split CBBC in two as early as 2000. The plans for the two channels where done as early as 2001 and due to launch in the autumn but the government stopped them due to concerns from the commercial channels which is why they were delayed until February 2002. While CBBC had the same presenters covering everything the style of continuity had been split.  The pre school stuff at the start of the afternoon was pre recorded with only the programs after having live links.  CBBC on Choice was basically the predecessor to CBeebies and had dedicated presenters in either Adrian or Liam doing the links aimed at a pre school audience.  Trust me even then kids thought it was a joke having to watch Bob the builder or Tweenies just to get though to get your own back or Cartoons like Jackie Chan adventures.  
That’s why Nickelodeon also split into two services giving pre school it’s own channel and even before that they had a deal with CBBC to make the pre school block of CBBC on Nickelodeon so it was separate from the older children’s shows. Nobody wants to see the services merged back that includes both viewers and parents.

[bkman1990]

Do the age group who watch archive stuff stream as much through. That’s a big factor.

It's a bit of a loaded question to answer in my view. People who have subscriptions on Netflix or Amazon Prime do get to stream older shows like Friends or The Office. You would also have to ask which age groups actually have the opportunity to stream archive content online the most often in the UK. I personally don't usually stream archive programmes on the internet myself in my country.

If the older viewers who actually watch BBC Four in the UK and record the programmes in huge numbers to watch later instead of using iPlayer; there could be a situation in where we approaching a similar situation like the initial closure of BBC Three in 2016 all over again.

[BBCMeridian]

And it's been said many times that before 2002, there was No CBeebies, I'm sorry but that is the truth and it wouldn't have existed anyway had it not been for Greg Dyke and Nigel Pickard.

I just feel it's unfair for a children's audience under the age of 6 for when they reach 6 leave watching the younger kids channel and going to a older channel for over 6's, that's why it is much, much better to have a merged CBBC because that is the way that the audience when they reach 6 can still watch CBBC but choose not to watch younger programmes. Just think about it yeah.

Right serious question do you actually have children ?   Should we go even further back and have whoever the announcer is that day just do normal continuity announcements into the children’s shows ditching both brands altogether.   The reason they split was because it called progress. Even before Nigel Pickard took over the BBC already had plans to split CBBC in two as early as 2000. The plans for the two channels where done as early as 2001 and due to launch in the autumn but the government stopped them due to concerns from the commercial channels which is why they were delayed until February 2002. While CBBC had the same presenters covering everything the style of continuity had been split.  The pre school stuff at the start of the afternoon was pre recorded with only the programs after having live links.  CBBC on Choice was basically the predecessor to CBeebies and had dedicated presenters in either Adrian or Liam doing the links aimed at a pre school audience.  Trust me even then kids thought it was a joke having to watch Bob the builder or Tweenies just to get though to get your own back or Cartoons like Jackie Chan adventures.  
That’s why Nickelodeon also split into two services giving pre school it’s own channel and even before that they had a deal with CBBC to make the pre school block of CBBC on Nickelodeon so it was separate from the older children’s shows. Nobody wants to see the services merged back that includes both viewers and parents.

Well yes the continuity links did change but not before September 2001, before CBBC went widescreen all of the links were presented in the same style before it was split and no, to me it's not progress, it's damage on what the BBC did by separating the CBBC audience, it's like trying to break up the UK, that's why I'm opposed to two separate children's channels, it was just nice when an older and younger audience come together to watch CBBC, obviously tho they don't have to watch a programme that doesn't suit their age but it's better than having to stop watching CBeebies and move over to CBBC, and kids did not say it was a joke with CBBC being merged.

[Newshound47]

Do the age group who watch archive stuff stream as much through. That’s a big factor.

It's a bit of a loaded question to answer in my view. People who have subscriptions on Netflix or Amazon Prime do get to stream older shows like Friends or The Office. You would also have to ask which age groups actually have the opportunity to stream archive content online the most often in the UK. I personally don't usually stream archive programmes on the internet myself in my country.

If the older viewers who actually watch BBC Four in the UK and record the programmes in huge numbers to watch later instead of using iPlayer; there could be a situation in where we approaching a similar situation like the initial closure of BBC Three in 2016 all over again.

It’s likely the parents of the people who are streaming Friends and the Office who are the main watchers of BBC Four.

[Rex]

Speaking of which, the EPG position for BBC Three on most platforms is so extremely messy!

They should be giving priority to BBC Three and rejiggle the whole thing, ASAP, definitely earlier than 2025

On Sky that should be completely sorted when BBC One HD is completely regionalised, it gets Sky 115 back. The problem is that its so far down the channel list in London (Channel 173?!) and Scotland, but the Ofcom regulations prioritising PSB channels on the guide should sort things out. Same with Virgin, they need to sort out the Scottish/Welsh slots for Three.

Freeview indisputably is the platform where BBC Three needs a more prominent slot, and with Four closing just swap it to the correct order. The BBC won't need to worry about losing a prominent channel number when they can just put BBC Three on channel 9 when BBC Four closes. However, it's better if it happens sooner rather than later, EPG placement right now for BBC Three is less than desirable.

[Rob]

BBCMeridian: I think we get the picture, thank you.

[Newshound47]

As a Virgin user I didn’t realise BBC Three is hidden away a bit on other platforms.

[Col87]

Right serious question do you actually have children ?   Should we go even further back and have whoever the announcer is that day just do normal continuity announcements into the children’s shows ditching both brands altogether.   The reason they split was because it called progress. Even before Nigel Pickard took over the BBC already had plans to split CBBC in two as early as 2000. The plans for the two channels where done as early as 2001 and due to launch in the autumn but the government stopped them due to concerns from the commercial channels which is why they were delayed until February 2002. While CBBC had the same presenters covering everything the style of continuity had been split.  The pre school stuff at the start of the afternoon was pre recorded with only the programs after having live links.  CBBC on Choice was basically the predecessor to CBeebies and had dedicated presenters in either Adrian or Liam doing the links aimed at a pre school audience.  Trust me even then kids thought it was a joke having to watch Bob the builder or Tweenies just to get though to get your own back or Cartoons like Jackie Chan adventures.  
That’s why Nickelodeon also split into two services giving pre school it’s own channel and even before that they had a deal with CBBC to make the pre school block of CBBC on Nickelodeon so it was separate from the older children’s shows. Nobody wants to see the services merged back that includes both viewers and parents.

Well yes the continuity links did change but not before September 2001, before CBBC went widescreen all of the links were presented in the same style before it was split and no, to me it's not progress, it's damage on what the BBC did by separating the CBBC audience, it's like trying to break up the UK, that's why I'm opposed to two separate children's channels, it was just nice when an older and younger audience come together to watch CBBC, obviously tho they don't have to watch a programme that doesn't suit their age but it's better than having to stop watching CBeebies and move over to CBBC, and kids did not say it was a joke with CBBC being merged.

Right again I ask the question do you have kids ?  If you did then you would know it’s not a good idea to have them together. I don’t know what your obsession is with merging cbbc and CBeebies back into one service again is. Believe me it was a joke because I was part of the CBBC audience when they split and it was one of the best things they did. 13 year olds do not want to watch Tweenies and not many 3 years olds want to watch Newsround.  
The links where been split as early as 2000. CBBC on Choice happened because the BBC wanted to split into two separate children strands but they had to get the government and BBC board of governors to approve so CBBC on choice was the solution until CBeebies got the permission to launch. 

The reason CBeebies is so popular is because it’s aimed specifically at Pre School age so parents know it’s safe. Start adding it back into CBBC and it becomes a mess and nobody gets any benefit from it.   No doubt if this was in the late 80s you would be moaning about CBBC existing in the first place and how it was better when the continuity announcer and globe introduced the children’s shows