BBC to axe three flagship shows as part of £500 million cost‑cut plan
The British Broadcasting Corporation announced it will cancel three long‑running entertainment programmes – Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo – as part of a £500 million savings drive over the next three years. The broadcaster said the cuts are needed to meet funding challenges and will contribute to a target of at least £100 million in recurring annual savings, reducing original TV output by roughly 100‑150 hours by 2027‑28.
All three shows have seen declining audiences. Celebrity Mastermind fell from an average of 4 million viewers in 2017 to 1.7 million in its most recent series; Blankety Blank dropped from 5.5 million in 2021 to 2.3 million; Live at the Apollo fell from about 1.3 million in 2018 to roughly 660,000 in its latest series. Each programme still has one final series left to broadcast.
Bradley Walsh, presenter of the revived Blankety Blank, confirmed he is stepping back because he no longer has time for the show. The BBC pledged to continue commissioning new entertainment content, focusing on digital innovation and emerging comedy talent.
Entities: Blankety Blank · Bradley Walsh · British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) · Celebrity Mastermind · Live at the Apollo · Matt Brittin
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] One final series remains to be broadcast for both Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo. (BBC)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Live at the Apollo’s audience fell from around 1.3 million in 2018 to about 660,000 in its most recent series. (BBC)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The BBC will axe Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Bradley Walsh said he no longer has time to present Blankety Blank and will step back from the show. (Bradley Walsh)
- [● 4 SOURCES] BBC aims for at least £100 million of recurring annual savings, reducing 100‑150 hours of original TV by 2027‑28. (BBC)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Blankety Blank’s audience fell from 5.5 million in 2021 to 2.3 million in its most recent series.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Celebrity Mastermind’s audience fell from an average of 4 million in 2017 to 1.7 million in its most recent series.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The cuts are part of a plan to deliver £500 million of savings over the next three years.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Blankety Blank’s audience fell from 5.5 million viewers in 2021 to 2.3 million in its most recent series. (BBC)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The BBC announced the cancellation of Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo. (BBC statement)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The cancellations are part of a plan to save £500 million over the next three years. (BBC cost‑cutting plan)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Celebrity Mastermind’s audience fell from an average of 4 million viewers in 2017 to 1.7 million in its most recent series. (BBC)