Save Autumnwatch Campaign 2023
On 2nd February 2023 I started a Change-org petition to save Autumnwatch.
It gained over 167,000 signatures and on 3rd May 2023 I was invited to meet Tim Davie, Director General of the BBC to discuss it.
Thousands of UK TV licence payers enjoy the 'Watches', Springwatch, Autumwatch and Winterwatch. It's what we pay our licence fee for. It is an example of what the BBC does best.
In an age when the natural world faces its greatest threat, when British species are on the Red List and threatened with extinction, when we are recognising the value of the natural world for our mental health it is beyond belief to learn that Autumnwatch has been cancelled. The BBC say it is for financial reasons.
We ask that the BBC saves money in other ways and gives the paying public a programme they really want.
Keep Autumnwatch
Report on Meeting with Tim Davie, Director General of the BBC
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On 3rd May 2023, Marian Holmes and I had a highly productive and amicable meeting with Tim Davie, Director General of the BBC, Joanne Cayford, Head of Business and Jack Bootle, Head of Specialist Factual Commissioning.
Tim assured us that he fully understands the benefit of nature for our mental health and how the BBC can help and encourage people to care for it.
I explained that I started the petition to Save Autumnwatch because I was incensed that Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance was quoted as part of a newspaper article announcing the programme's cancellation. I wanted to know why, in the interest of impartiality and balance, there was no counter-quote. Tim Davie assured me that the Countryside Alliance quote was secured by a newspaper journalist and formed no part of the BBC’s announcement or press release.
We then explained how the live format, it’s family-friendly content, our bond with the presenters and its relaxed nature was the reason we welcome the Watches into our homes throughout the seasons and what makes it so special to us. I admitted to waving at the screen when Chris and Michaela say a collective 'Hello'. The interactive format, as we are encouraged to send in photos of animals or events we have seen, makes us feel part of the programme. Wild Isles and Blue Planet are fabulous but distant.
They explained that there was only so much in the pot to spend on natural history programming, and they wanted to ensure that the quality of the content they put out was not compromised. They felt they could only do this best by focusing resources on Springwatch and a cut down Winterwatch.
A comparison of viewing figures was made between Autumnwatch and Wild Isles but I pointed out that Wild Isles had received an enormous amount of publicity. We don't even know when Springwatch will be on this month because it's not been publicised. If you don't tell people, you can hardly be surprised if no one turns up. This Tim asked his team to make a note of, for action.
I asked what there will be for us to watch this Autumn. They have plans for some nature focused articles/segments/programming later in the year. Unless they are at a set time e.g. Wildlife Wednesdays, and not scattered randomly in a programme or schedule, they could be hard for viewers to find. I hope they publicise them well.
I honestly never expected to save Autumnwatch, despite the title of the petition. Realistically, when a financial decision has been made, unless, like with the BBC Singers, someone comes forward to offer financial assistance, it’s a fait accompli. However, I did hope the BBC would take notice of its viewers and not self-interested anti-wildlife groups. This they have done.
I also wanted to be sure the powers that be, understood how much we value the Watches, how special they are to us and the need for them to be safe in the years ahead. Thanks to your amazing support I feel we have accomplished that.
Tim, Joanne and Jack were kind enough to meet with us, and they know there are people out there who are ready to hold them to account.