BBC to Focus on Older Audience

Danny Cohen, controller at BBC One, recently indicated that the corporation would begin to focus more on the tastes of people at an average age of 50. This is, after all, the key demographic of the audience, so it makes sense to focus on this age group.

The Telegraph reports that 2012 would begin to see “key changes” in the dramas broadcast by the corporation.

One example of programming estimated to appeal to older audiences is “Fight for Life,” in which the struggle of young animals for survival during the first four weeks of their lives will be depicted.

New dramas will include about 21 new series and serials to start from Christmas this year. Such programming will include “The Village” and “Call The Midwife,” according to a Telegraph report.

This strategy has also taken effect in other sectors of the BBC. The New MI5 spy drama “Page Eight,” on BBC Two, is an example of this. The stars include Bill Nighy, Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes.

A spokesman for the BBC said that the strategy was “about making sure the range of the audience is reflected back to itself”.

The BBC has also experienced some pressure in the form of criticism against their apparent shift in focus to younger viewers. The ageism case Miriam O’Reilly won against the corporation’s bosses was a further incentive for change.

Mr Cohen said, “Talent can be all sorts of ages. BBC One reaches 80 per cent of the public each week…”

Attendants at the event noted that Mr Cohen, who is 37 years old, has started changing his focus and role at the BBC. His position was to manage the youth-oriented digital channel BBC Three, where he commissioned shows such as “Hotter Than My Daughter” and “Snog Marry Avoid?” He has, however, also produced award-winning documentaries.

Mr Cohen has shown himself to be open to criticism, as one of his aims was to change the general demographic in comedies broadcast by the corporation, where it was claimed that programming has become too middle-class.

Despite woes such as operation costs for the BBC, it is encouraging that the corporation will begin to focus on its key demographic where programming is concerned. Perhaps this will finally lead to a change in the general conception of the BBC as an ageist company.

The new trend is hopefully one that more broadcasting companies and other institutions will follow.

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