BBC Four: Mark Kermode and Simon Blackwell react to ‘sad’ news channel is to become archive focused
The IndependentSign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Mark Kermode and Simon Blackwell are among the BBC stars to speak out in opposition to BBC Four becoming an archive channel. On Monday, it was announced that the arts and culture channel, which first launched in 2002, would become the “home” of archive content at the BBC, with fewer new programmes being commissioned as part of a cost-cutting drive across the network. However, the news that BBC Four would be commissioning fewer new series prompted backlash from those who had worked with the channel before. “Genuinely saddened by reports that the channel is now being turned into an ‘archive service’ for cost-cutting reasons.” The Thick of It writer Simon Blackwell tweeted that it was a “great big shame”, as there would have been “no Thick Of It without BBC Four, so no In The Loop or Veep either”.
History of this topic
Russell T Davies says demise of BBC is ‘undoubtedly on its way’
The IndependentDiscover Related
