AIBU to think that this is a business decision, not just a scheduling decision, by the BBC?

[TimeforaNNChange]

Great British Bake Off is usually broadcast in early August.

This year, "because of the Olympics" it is being broadcast later.

Which also coincides with the new requirements for viewers to have a TV license to watch iPlayer.

AIBU to think this is not a coincidence, and that the Bee'b have finally developed some business sense? Some popular TV series are already only available to "buy" on iPlayer - I wonder how much GBBO will cost?

I think you're giving them too much credit. They can't pick when the Olympics happens and are probably just working around it!

Somehow I doubt that this was at the top of the agenda of the Olympic Committee when they scheduled the Games seven years ago.

They would be daft to put gbbo on when the olympics are on. They will have to move it or not put it on.

Seems entirely sensible to show it after.

I think it would be quite possible for the Bee'b to work around the Olympics if they chose to - the time difference between here and Rio means that many of the most popular events will take place after the peak evening viewing time anyway.

Let's look at some data shall we, rather than just when we FEEL it started?

Season 1 17 Aug - 21 Sept 2010
Season 2 14 Aug - 4 Oct 2011
Season 3 14 Aug - 16 Oct 2012
Season 4 20 Aug - 22 Oct 2013
Season 5 6 Aug - 8 Oct 2015
Season 6 5th Aug - 7th Oct 2015

Aug 24th start date is only 4 days later than the previous latest.

All previous seasons included some shows past September (when the requirement to have a license fee to watch iPlayer comes in).

I say YABU

The 2012 Olympics officially closed on 12th Aug, so Bake Off started on "the first Wednesday after the Olympics".

The 2016 Olympics closing ceremony is on 21st August, so again Bake Off will start on the first Wednesday after the Olympics.

But who wants to spend 5 minutes looking up dates when they can get out their tinfoil hat and rant about conspiracies?

I'm pleased that it's on after the Olympics as I enjoy both.

Trills 😂😂😂

But who wants to spend 5 minutes looking up dates when they can get out their tinfoil hat and rant about conspiracies?

Agreed. Seems easier to whinge about something rather than look up facts.

YA also B extra extra U for telling us that Bake Off is starting "Late" and not listing the actual date in your OP..

I didn't know the actual start date had been published!

I was reacting to the latest blog post by the lovely Paul Hollywood who said the series would be starting "later than usual" because of the Olympics

What better to do on a sunny Sunday than think about conspiracy theories

pwned by Trills

I can't believe people have been able to get away with watching bbc programmes for free on I player so I'm glad they are starting to charge - do you think programmes are made for free?

bee I agree. It's long overdue. I've benefited for years .

There is already an increase in the number of episodes/series available to buy in the BBC shop, so I'll see whether the shows I enjoy are going to be available and may well buy them that way rather than pay for a license.

You should get some foil, Time. Some to line your baking dish and some to wear on your head :o

Holy thread backfire

One day the BBC will do pay as you view, so competitive cooking and shrieky no talent shows will be funded by those interested and not the rest of us. Ditto the festival of running about and throwing things - there are other Olympic sports but they rarely get shown so I won't be watching.

Most people I know won't bother paying for a license (me included). I don't know how much difference it'll make to the amount of money available to spend on making programmes.

They actually changed the dates of GBBO starting because i am away on holiday from 3-24th August and they didn’t want me to miss it. I am very grateful to the BBC.

I can't spare any tin foil to wear on my head - I use it to cover the windows

YABU. You've overthought this OP

And agree with specialsubject about BBC funding.

It's what they should have done rather than rushing through the current changes for no reason. No idea why they've put it off for another 5-10 years. Bunch of muppets.

NnChange you are taking your light toasting very well.