The best of British TV... with a few no shows
‘Changing tastes’ mean edgy programmes are left off BBC and ITV’S new Britbox streaming service
IT IS the streaming service that promises classic BBC and ITV shows from decades past, offering viewers a chance to wallow in nostalgia.
But anyone hoping to re-watch Till Death Us Do Part or Love Thy Neighbour will not find them on Britbox because their politically incorrect subject matter has been deemed inappropriate for modern audiences.
Reemah Sakaan, the ITV executive responsible for launching the subscription service, was asked yesterday about the omission of the two programmes from the comedy archive.
She said “changing tastes” had been taken into account and the two sitcoms in question were deemed too offensive for inclusion.
Explaining the compliance process for determining which shows would be carried by Britbox, Ms Sakaan said: “We re-comply everything that goes on to Britbox, and the great thing about on-demand is that you’re not forcing anyone to watch anything.”
Till Death Us Do Part ran on the BBC from 1965-1975 and starred Warren Mitchell as the bigoted Alf Garnett. Love Thy Neighbour was an ITV show, broadcast from 1972-76, about the relationship between a white couple and their black neighbours. Both shows have been accused of racism.
Johnny Speight, creator of Till Death Us Do Part, has said he wanted audiences to laugh at Garnett, not with him.
Britbox is billed as “the biggest collection of British content available on any streaming service” and launched yesterday with a 30-day free trial, followed by a £5.99 monthly subscription.
It includes shows from the BBC, ITV and Channel 5, with Channel 4 joining the service next month.
Classic shows on Britbox include Only Fools and Horses, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Absolutely Fabulous, Yes, Minister, Downton Abbey, and the adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
However, many BBC shows are missing because they are licenced to rival broadcasters. There is no Bodyguard, Line of Duty, Monty Python’s Flying Circus or I’m Alan Partridge. Other missing shows include Pennies from Heaven, Dad’s Army, Steptoe and Son and The Morecambe and Wise Show.
Those excited at the prospect of watching every Doctor Who from 1963 to its cancellation in 1989 will have to wait until Boxing Day, when they will be added to the line-up.