Anger as the BBC serves up a festive fare of Seventies repeats
THE BBC came under fire last night after revealing that nearly half its shows over Christmas will be repeats.
The corporation said the festive season “is the perfect time to reunite with old friends” with dozens of shows that are familiar to millions.
But a taxpayer group yesterday condemned the BBC and said it was failing to give “value for money”.
Favourites including Morecambe And Wise, Dad’s Army and The Two Ronnies are being wheeled out to fill the festive schedules. Mary Poppins, Shrek 2, Frozen and Guys And Dolls are among the films being shown. BBC Two’s output over two weeks from December 16 will be made up of around 70 per cent repeats.
On BBC One almost a third of its Christmas offerings will have been seen before.
Dad’s Army, which was first screened in 1968, is being shown on BBC Two on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It is also showing the 1977 Morecambe And Wise Christmas Show, which famously features Angela Rippon dancing, on the big day. Chloe Westley, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Viewers will be left wondering why the licence fee is not coming down when they are being subjected to more and more repeats.
“What is the point of having multiple channels when there clearly aren’t enough new programmes to sustain them?
“The BBC should focus on giving those who pay the TV tax far better value for money.”
However, BBC One will show new programmes including 300 Years Of French And Saunders, in which the comedy duo reunite for the first time in a decade plus a retrospective of Victoria Wood.
There are specials of regulars Pointless, University Challenge and Mastermind and Mary Berry’s Christmas Party.
ITV schedules show 30 per cent of its shows will be repeats but the figure does not include films that have been on before.
Charlotte Moore, director of BBC content, said: “Christmas is all about togetherness and we’ve lined up a magical mix of programmes that will bring everyone together over the festive season.”