The BBC is reportedly dropping Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live At The Apollo as it deals with ongoing financial pressure. The move has been linked to the broadcaster’s wider effort to reduce spending amid what it has described as funding challenges.
The three programmes cover different parts of the BBC’s entertainment lineup, from comedy and stand-up to quiz and game-show formats. Their removal suggests the latest savings drive is affecting a broad range of established titles rather than one single area of programming.
A BBC spokesman said the corporation is facing a very difficult financial picture, according to the report. That points to more tough choices around which shows are renewed and which are cut as the broadcaster tries to balance budgets.
The decision is the latest sign of the pressure on the BBC as it manages costs while maintaining a wide schedule of programming. For viewers, the cancellations mark the end of several familiar titles as the corporation reshapes its entertainment offering.
