The Stage

BBC1’s Fincham promises to take more risks to combat ratings drop

Published Tuesday 19 July 2005 at 15:30 by Liz Thomas

BBC1 controller Peter Fincham has vowed to take more risks with commissions, adding that adventurous, high quality programming was necessary to combat dwindling audience figures caused by the popularity of digital television.

Launching its autumn season Fincham stressed that he was a firm believer in the future of terrestrial channels but added there was a need for innovation. He also renewed his commitment to broadcasting a greater volume of original drama and comedy.

He said: “Playing it safe will not be an option. If we do we will suffer the consequences. The way forward for terrestrial programming is to be bold and inspiring.”

Fincham, who took over the position from Lorraine Heggessey earlier this year, stressed the important role drama played in attracting viewers and pointed to the success of shows such as Desperate Housewives and Lost, which have helped US network ABC pull back audience share. He explained: “In America they [terrestrial broadcasters] have been facing the challenge of multi-channel for a long time. This year the industry turned a corner and share has gone up.”

He added that the popularity of Doctor Who had perceptibly changed the landscape of Saturday night television, encouraging the Corporation to developing a number of dramas that families could watch together.

“There was nothing safe about the Doctor Who commission whatsoever - banana skins were strewn all over the place,” he said.

One such project is a series based around the tales of Robin Hood. It is being written by Doc Martin creator Dominic Minghella and will be produced by Tiger Aspect. Fincham said: “It’s another iconic family drama brand that once in a generation is good to look at.”

He also said he was keen to ensure that BBC1 remained the “natural home for comedy”, but admitted that the channel needed to attract more high profile writing talent and that there would have to be changes made to the Friday night comedy zone.

Fincham has a strong background in comedy, having overseen programming such as Da Ali G Show and I’m Alan Partridge when he was chief executive of Talkback Thames. He said: “The problem is not the resources or the funding, it is finding the talent that can play to a big audience.”

The Corporation is also creating a new separate comedy division as the genre is currently part of the entertainment department. The move follows last week’s criticism in the BBC governors’ annual review that BBC1 comedy was too focused on middle-class suburbia and was not risky or innovative enough.