So it isn't just the economy that's suffering...the BBC Trust today revealed that Blue Peter lost 40% of its viewers in just one year. It isn't just Blue Peter either - over the same period BBC 1 has lost 5% of its under 12 viewers.
It is doubtful any of this would have happened if the BBC had real competition for children's TV. But since the decision to ban advertising of "unhealthy" food to children, ITV have pulled out of daytime children's TV and the BBC has had an effective monopoly. This is presumably why the Beeb felt comfortable cutting 20 minutes from its key after school slot in order to fit in the Weakest Link.
The lesson is clear: monopolies lead to less choice in broadcasting as in every field. Which is why the key outcome of the government's review of public service broadcasting must be to promote competition and choice for viewers across all genres. Children's TV is a case in point, but plurality of provision for news is even more important. If we want the highest standards from the BBC, they need to know we have a choice.
