The BBC’s license fee makes their programming a public service for the people, and as a result “the Beeb” is always attempting to validate its quality and importance to those who are obligated to pay for their services. This is backwards when compared to most other networks that are able to put forth shows in the attempt to attract viewers, and are given a vast amount of freedom in choosing what programs to showcase. Unfortunately for “the Beeb”, it is in a constant need to prove itself and choose programming that fits appropriate criteria. Catherine Johnson’s excerpt detailed the substantial amount of effort put into branding alone so that the BBC can make themselves appear recognizable and worth watching. These branding tactics are an excellent example of how absorbed the BBC is of its image amidst the pressures that it faces in the attempt to confirm their value to license fee payers.
I found both Outnumbered and Sherlock to be impressive shows, and adequate examples of the quality programming that the BBC strives for. Outnumbered employs light humor and family scenarios that provide entertainment sprinkled with life lessons. Sherlock was a more high quality output in its look, feel, and movie-esque appearance. While both shows are vastly different, they are good television programs that seem to fit the values that the BBC wants to be associated with. So while the BBC might feel more pressure to distribute shows that will keep every viewer satisfied, this has brought about a well-rounded lineup that has managed to impress for many years. Outnumbered and Sherlock illustrate how creativity is not stifled at the BBC, but rather incredibly focused in order to keep the license fee payers at bay.
After hearing about the mandatory license fee I assumed that it would negatively affect BBC outputs in the sense that they would scrap entertaining shows for those that would enrich viewers in a more educational way. However, after watching Outnumbered and Sherlock I can say that the BBC has been able to produce amusing shows that manage to fall perfectly in line with three specific values listed on its website…
- Audiences are at the heart of everything we do.
- We take pride in delivering quality and value for money.
- Creativity is the lifeblood of our organisation.
I agree with the idea that the BBC has taken extra measures to fulfill the entertainment part of its goal. If all that every played on the BBC channels was strictly educational and informative, I think the license fee payers would have some issues. Although it seems like the television-viewing culture is drastically different in the UK than the US, I can’t imagine that the entertainment factor is still not extremely important to some viewers. Sherlock had a good balance of entertainment and intellectual stimulation throughout the episode, and Outnumbered incorporated a nice family message by the end. Creativity, in my mind, is not dead at the BBC.