Possibility the BBC4 may close

I was only thinking last night that, given the fact that it's unlikely to be safe for someone of my age to visit galleries/museums; go abroad to see them etc being able to watch the sort of programmes that BBC4 show is vitally [emotionally] important to me. One of the few ways that I can switch off from what's happening around me.

If the BBC paid less to "stars" they wouldn't need to close any channels!

I love BBC 4. I hope it doesn't close.

maybee I’ve got it all recorded. It looks delightful.

Sky arts does have good stuff I must say, but it also has endless repeats. So you can’t rely on it for a good evenings viewing.

I watched a wonderful 4 part series called The Beauty of Books on catchup last night; ex BBC4 programme. Maybe they want us all to subscribe to Sky Arts which I assume caters for people that enjoy art/arts programmes and documentaries. I actually look on Lucy, Janina, Andrew GD etc as my own personal teachers/guides, dare I say chums. I'd miss them terribly.

Why do I get the feeling the Powers That Be are trying to dumb us all down and turn us into zombies?

I really enjoy Bob Ross doing his paintings at 7pm on BBC4.I don’t always admire them, but it soooo relaxing to watch.

It is disappointing news, their documentaries, Scandi dramas and Friday evening music programmes would be a big loss to us. I will sign the petition.

We watch BBC 4 a lot and were dismayed to read this. I'm going to email Head of Content as are our DDs
They are in their 30s but often watch dramas and documentaries on 4 too and don't think the BBC are thinking straight. The younger ones are too busy with Netflix, Sky Youtube Insta etc but they seem obsessed with chasing the Yoof rather than realising it's us older ones watching the most mainstream TV. For now.

It seems the BBC don't understand that most young people don't watch it - so aiming programmes at them is a waste of time and money.

The majority of those watching BBC channels are older yet our needs are dismissed

If it does go I wonder if they will make BBC2 the sort of channel it was when it started. It used to be full of interesting programmes and now it's almost as bad as BBC1 and ITV.

Glad it worked Gaunt47

Oh no !
Hope it doesn’t happen.
I watch BBC4 quite a bit since they dumbed down BBC2 .

Sparklefizz Thanks for the link, your second version worked and I signed.

We watch an awful lot of the music on BBC4, record and watch again lots of times.

I know a few people who manage without a licence, preferring Netflix or Prime or similar.

I don't think I could, though. I don't watch much in real time any more but I still think that the Beeb is worth paying for overall. There's always something and if you like Blue Planet and the like the Beeb is incomparable.

I agree it's dumbed down but that's been slowly happening for years. Look at Panorama! used to be so hard - hitting but now.....Newsround has more depth. .

I'm a BBC4 watcher too. Maybe they will banish it to online like BBC3. Hopefully we won't lose it entirely. Surely they won't ditch Inspector Montalbano?

There will be no reason for me to pay the licence fee if BBC4 is removed. Can I opt out? I don't see why I should pay for programmes I don't watch.

Totally agree with you Callistemon. I had a quick look at my planner just now and over 1/3 of programmes I have recorded are BBC4. I enjoy the arts and music. Some of the music ones have been watched many times so I will certainly miss it. I also enjoy Sky Arts which I pay for but as I also pay for a TV licence I will not be happy if the BBC continues to axe things the way they are doing.

www.change.org/p/british-broadcasting-corporation-save-bbc-four-from-closure?recruiter=606868667&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_abi&utm_term=13f0d4b7653b4172812403e5b3493778&recruited_by_id=f6afa330-8bc6-11e6-80e3-eb921b5fed5a&utm_content=fht-22164276-en-gb%3Av2

Sorry, the link has gone wrong. I'll check it out.

I have signed this.

www.change.org/p/british-broadcasting-corporation-save-bbc-four-from-closure/psf/

Oh no! I would really miss it.

Not only do they reinstate the TV licence for over 75s but then decide to cease broadcasting the programmes which that age group tends to watch!

Dumbing down and rubbing our noses in it at the same time. That is quite an achievement.

We really enjoy BBC4

Sometimes BBC3 programmes are broadcast after the 10pm news minimoon, which means reaching for the off switch in this house.