BBC axe The Sky at Night.

BBC axe The Sky at Night.

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Discussion

Mojocvh

Original Poster:

16,837 posts

269 months

Thursday 26th September 2013
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As title.

some -parc from the beeb about viewing figures....costs ?...and usual -parc.

sgl link http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/195510-the-sky-a...

online petition @23k. http://www.change.org/petitions/the-bbc-please-do-...

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SaveSkyAtNight&amp...

Spread the word.

Eric Mc

122,865 posts

272 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Is this genuine or just internet rum,our mongering?

Bisonhead

1,585 posts

196 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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It was on R4 the other day...the BBC are 'reviewing' which to me means 'going to axe it'.

Would be a great shame as it is only a once a month program, hardly an expensive format and broadens the range of programming on the beed. Yes, it has smaller viewing figures but is surely better than having repeats of banal consumer industry shows, reality TV and BBC News 24 after a certain time.

Patrick Moore will be spinning in his grave...or orbit...wherever he is.

ewenm

28,506 posts

252 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Every long-running program has review cycles. No knicker-twisting required (yet!).

Eric Mc

122,865 posts

272 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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I think the current format is quite good.

And viewing figures should NOT be an arbiter for certain classes of programming on a public service channel. That is, after all, the main raison d'etre of a non-commercial broadcast platform i.e. ratings are not vital for income.

anonymous-user

61 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Considering that the beeb now have BBC4 for just this sort of thing, and the fact that it must only cost about £2.37 per episode, i'd be suprised if it were axed tbh!

Simpo Two

87,124 posts

272 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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'Celebrity Sky at Night On Ice' anyone?

IanMorewood

4,309 posts

255 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Was on Jeremy Vine R2 earlier this week I doubt it will be axed but could do with a better slot on TV bbc4 at 11pm ish once a month isn't a good way to keep viewer's. I don't know how many viewer's it gets but a better host and a regular slot would help.

Eric Mc

122,865 posts

272 months

Saturday 28th September 2013
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The Sky at Night initially goes out on BBC 1 late on the first Sunday of each month. That has been its traditional slot in the BBC schedules since it started in 1957.

It then gets repeated on BBC 4(usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday at a more reasonable early evening slot (7.00 pm or 8.00pm).

I think it also gets shown again on BBC 2 on Saturday afternoon.

And, of course, it is available on the iPlayer or the watch again facilities.

Moonhawk

10,730 posts

226 months

Monday 30th September 2013
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TBH - I was half expecting something like this to happen when I heard Sir Patrick Moore had died.

Russ35

2,561 posts

246 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
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Good news, it is to continue.

From February 2014 it will be a 30min slot on BBC4 no mention of new presenters or keeping the existing ones.

BBC said:
The BBC today announces that its longest running astronomy series, The Sky At Night, will continue next year. From February 2014, it will air in a new monthly half-hour slot on BBC Four, with repeats on BBC Two.

Kim Shillinglaw, Head of Commissioning for BBC Science and Natural History, says: “Sir Patrick Moore inspired generations of astronomers and I hope that alongside the BBC's other astronomy content, such as BBC Two’s Stargazing Live, The Sky at Night will enthuse further generations about the wonder of the night sky.”

Cassian Harrison, Editor for BBC Four, says: “I’m delighted that we are continuing with such a treasured BBC brand, and look forward to welcoming the programme to its new home on BBC Four, where it will join a rich mix of other science content.”

The Sky at Night was first broadcast on 24 April 1957 and continued to be presented by Sir Patrick Moore until his death in 2012, making it the longest-running programme with the same presenter in television history. Following Moore’s death, the series has been fronted by a team of guest presenters.

Eric Mc

122,865 posts

272 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
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As I always suspected. OK, it won't be on BBC 1 any more but I tended to watch the more civilised BBC 4 slots anyway.

Simpo Two

87,124 posts

272 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
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Russ35 said:
From February 2014 it will be a 30min slot on BBC4 no mention of new presenters or keeping the existing ones.
Let's hope it's not a bunch of chattering lightweights like the ones who turned Tomorrow's World into Blue Peter.

Eric Mc

122,865 posts

272 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
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The current mob are OK - although there are two many of them.

Engineer1

10,486 posts

216 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
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Eric and a TYPO or are there really two too many?

Eric Mc

122,865 posts

272 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
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Engineer1 said:
Eric and a TYPO or are there really two too many?
More like a dozen too many smile

They've got a whole army presenting the programme these days.

Morningside

24,114 posts

236 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
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BBC4? Why not keep it on BBC2? I mean, it's only on once a month!
Beginning of the end. You watch, it will be once a month, skip a month, Christmas special and then quietly shelved at the end of 2014.

Eric Mc

122,865 posts

272 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
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It will be on BBC 2 - as it is currently.

Mojocvh

Original Poster:

16,837 posts

269 months

Friday 13th December 2013
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25109143

Read through the linked article, a promising start, then???

I don't quite know what direction this will take, I fear "we" have lost our beloved TS@N, but am willing to be proven wrong.....,.

Edited by Mojocvh on Friday 13th December 19:16

Eric Mc

122,865 posts

272 months

Saturday 14th December 2013
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I don't see any problem really.