Cost of making eastenders..

[Whisky2014]

I just wondered how much it costs to make Eastenders and after just clicking a few articles on this I have found it to be about £140k per episode...£30 million a year.

Not only that, but the BBC had a £60 Million budget to upgrade the set and they have managed to go £27 million over this bringing it to £87 million and to be completed by 2023, 5 years late.
"MPs heard the set, built in 1984, is “no longer fit for purpose” and the rebuild is “crucial to the future success of EastEnders"

Well, sorry but it's absolute brain rot and if rather it didn't have a future! I'd much rather they made some good quality series. If they put their mind to it, the BBC can make some really good stuff. Why do they insist on shoving this crap down people's throats? Viewing numbers have been decreasing, I assume because of the younger generations being more inclined to watch stuff on Amazon and Netflix etc, so this revamp seems like even more of a waste.

That’s nice dear.

Ah, you'll be a viewer then.

I'm not a viewer but I'm not sure why it matters. Theresa large cast, many of whom probably command reasonable wages for a start. TV in general is less popular now as the youth of today seem to prefer YouTube.

Interesting but random! I suspect the BBC sells it and makes quite a lot back too.

I'd just prefer the money that's given to the BBC by license payers to go on a higher quality program and maybe more relevant to nowadays. It doesn't actually matter per se, I was just intrigued to the cost and was actually shocked at the cost of it. Don't know why it popped into my head!

They did well from things like The Bodyguard. So they can make good stuff and sell it. Dickensian was another good show but they cancelled it after 1 seaaon..shame.
I'm not sure "enjoy" is the right word? I think it stems from older generations watching religiously and so anyone brought up in a home watching it, watches too and so the cycle goes on and on. Although, as I said earlier, viewing figures have reduced...So I'm assuming there comes a point when there's no point in making it any more?
It's not exactly a quality show. People stick with what they know unfortunately. Dont know a) whats wrong woth appearing like a snob b) wanting people to watch more intellectual tv. Blue planet and the likes for example amazing.

It's not either/or though is it. As you've said they still manage to make Bodyguard and Blue Planet.
The BBC has a remit to provide viewing for all, not just the middle classes. Which it does.

I'd also imagine they earn bollock loads of ££ selling EE around the world so it may well make them a profit.

you dont like it - then dont watch it - when enough people stop watching, then they will stop making it

its not the only thing made by the BBC you know

@joyfullittlehippo oooooohhh!!!!
Writer!
So Sharon and Louise will be bringing up babies together ?

It isn't one or the other, no. But it is on what, 4 times a week? Seems excessive to me.

Unless you work in the TV industry and have viewing figures to back up your statements, then I suggest that YABU (yes I know this isn’t AIBU).

People watch it and they use storylines to examine important social issues such as domestic violence etc.

We don’t all want to watch the bodyguard (I did enjoy it but I like other stuff too).

Surely it’s not too hard to fathom that people have different tastes.

It's on for 2 hours a week. Newsnight is what 5 hours a week. With much lower viewing figures.

Personal preference. I don't watch it but many do, I suspect that a lot more is spent per hour of your high quality dramas than ongoing dramas or whatever they are officially called.

It's run since mid 80's. I just think it's time for a change.

They sell EE round the world. It makes far far more that it costs to make. As a result, it pays for things such as The Bodyguard, Blue Planet, Wolf Hall et al.

I suspect the BBC would lose a lot of money if they went with your feeling that it's time for a change. Personally I hated what little I saw of the bodyguard but I'm sensible enough to know that we don't all have the same taste and I don't try and make everyone watch what I think they should watch. Otherwise the BBC would show nothing but gentle dramas and the news.

I hate it. The characters always seem to be yelling at each other.

But it must make the BBC a good profit or they wouldn't continue to make it or invest in it.

I just switch it over.

Let's just say they did what you want and axed EastEnders. What would they replace it with that would pull in a guaranteed audience of 4-5 million+ 4 times a week, 52 weeks of the year? They'd probably end up spending even more money trying to fill the massive hole axing EastEnders would leave in their schedule.

I think the licence fee needs to go tbh. Eastenders is just at the top of a pile of shite that the BBC produces these days.

Pretty much anything that isn't a soap, Freya :D You can't think there's not a single thing that couldn't replace bloody eastenders!

Snob

I love Eastenders but I also watch the planets, fleabag, blue planet, HIGNFY

As others have said, it's not a case of one or the other. If it went, I'd miss it-it it's a nice time of day where I want to switch off from work while cooking dinner or unwinding.

Regardless of the licence fee issue I presume you feel the same about all soaps, reality tv etc?

Many people in the UK watch and love it and other 'lowbrow' tv. You can't dictate to everyone

Regardless of the licence fee issue I presume you feel the same about all soaps, reality tv etc? yep, correct.