BBC plans for BBC One+1 - Plans to Axe BBC Three still Stand
Photo Sourced from Facebook
Last night, the BBC announced that a new channel will be made as a catch-up for BBC One, (BBC One+1), however, plans to axe BBC Three still stand.
By Scott Edwards
To introduce a new +1 channel seems to be the technique a lot of broadcasting companies are ever indulging in, despite the rapid interest in watching on demand.
Last night (December 10), the BBC Trust announced that plans to make BBC One+1 are in full swing, and is more than likely to happen at some point in 2015.
However, last year, plans to axe the beloved BBC Three were given the thumbs up. Comedians such as Jack Whitehall and Russell Howard were left frustrated and joined a petition on Change.org called ''Save BBC3' to influence the BBC Trust to reverse their decision.
And despite an ever growing influx of people liking the 'Petition to Save BBC3', Facebook page (nearly 70,000 strong) and signing the petition on Change.ore, the BBC Trust stands on it's decision to axe the home of British comedy.
So why doesn't the BBC use this, newly found cash to keep BBC Three running?
Well, the BBC argue that running BBC One+1 still costs nowhere near the cost it would to keep BBC Three up and running, as it would just be re-running the shows from the same server room, an hour later.
On the other hand, supporters to save the beloved home of Family Guy, American Dad, Bad Education, Russell Howard's Good News and so on, bring into question, 'Why another +1 channel? You have iPlayer.'
The supporters on Facebook say that BBC iPlayer is 'the future of watching TV on demand, why would you commission another channel to accommodate BBC One shows an hour later, when it's likely those watching it an hour later could just as easily watch it on iPlayer instead.'.
The BBC Trust has so far refused to comment on the anguish caused to BBC Three supporters by plans to fund BBC One+1.
The BBC also quietly let loose that BBC Three show 'Don't Tell the Bride' will be one of the first shows to be let go by the company, with Seth MacFarlane's Family Guy and American Dad expected to be announced shortly after.
The Trust did say last year that 'shows will go, but there is every chance that BBC Three could exist solely online' through BBC iPlayer. Since then, nothing about BBC existing as an online entity has been mentioned by the Trust.
We would love to hear your comments below on the UK's biggest student attracted television channel being axed? Do you think it's a good idea or do you think the BBC should have a re-think.
