The BBC has announced the cancellation of three popular entertainment programs: Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind, and Live At The Apollo. The decisions are part of the broadcaster's broader strategy to address significant funding challenges and achieve substantial cost savings over the next three years.
A BBC spokesperson described the current financial climate as "really tough," necessitating difficult choices within the Entertainment genre. These cancellations are aligned with a wider proposal to make £500 million in savings over the next three years, with BBC Content aiming for £100 million in recurring annual savings by the end of the 2027-28 financial year. This is expected to result in a reduction of 100 to 150 hours of originated television programming across all genres.
Viewing figures for all three affected shows have reportedly declined in recent years. Celebrity Mastermind saw a drop from an average of 4 million viewers in 2017 to 1.7 million for its most recent series. Blankety Blank, which recently saw host Bradley Walsh depart, fell from 5.5 million viewers in 2021 to 2.3 million for its latest series. Live At The Apollo's viewership decreased from 1.3 million in 2018 to approximately 660,000 in its most recent run, with these figures including catch-up viewing on platforms like iPlayer.
Live At The Apollo, which has been broadcasting for 12 years according to one report and 22 years according to another, has one filmed series yet to air but will not continue beyond that. The show typically features a well-known comedian introducing other comics performing stand-up routines. It has been credited with launching the careers of comedians such as Michael McIntyre, Kevin Bridges, Micky Flanagan, and Sarah Millican.
Bradley Walsh, who hosted the revival of Blankety Blank since 2020, confirmed his departure due to time constraints. He cited a busy schedule, including touring and other television projects, that prevents him from dedicating the necessary two months for filming.
Blankety Blank originally launched in 1979 and has seen several revivals, including a popular 1990s version hosted by Lily Savage. Celebrity Mastermind, a spin-off of the main series, began in 2002 and has been hosted by figures such as Magnus Magnusson and John Humphrys.
The BBC stated that it remains committed to commissioning ambitious entertainment shows and investing in distinctive UK content from a range of independent production companies. The corporation also plans to prioritize digital innovation to serve audiences. Further savings across its content division are anticipated to be announced in the coming months. The broader restructuring program also includes job cuts, with an estimated 700 corporate roles and 200 positions within the news division affected, alongside changes to news programs and presenter roles.