Talk to the BBC Trust about the future of the BBC and you could win a £300 voucher NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

We've been asked by the BBC Trust to find out what Mumsnetters would like to see from the BBC in future.

The BBC Trust says "Over the next eighteen months, really important decisions are being made about the future of the BBC. The Government is reviewing the BBC’s Royal Charter, the foundation on which the BBC is built. This happens once in a decade, so it’s a rare chance for you, who pay for the BBC, to have your say on its future."

Please let us know your answers to the questions below:

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?
• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?
• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?
• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?
• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?
• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Please also feel free to add any other comments you have. If you’d like to share more of your views on the future of the BBC you can complete the BBC Trust’s short survey: www.bbc.co.uk/tomorrowsbbc

Everyone who posts on the thread will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher*

Thanks and good luck,
MNHQ

• provided by MNHQ

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?
BBC Four is the jewel in the crown and worth paying the licence for alone. I hate the constant repeats and soaps, love wildlife programmes, would like to see better dramas and also less left wing bias in news reporting. Programmes like Horizon appear to have been dumbed down and cancelling Top Gear was very stupid indeed (especially as I will have to buy Amazon Prime to watch the threesome in their next venture).

Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?
It's fine as it is

What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?
More documentaries and less dumbed down science programmes

What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?
Soaps, repeats, vacuous talent shows

Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Some of it still is, but there is a lot of what I would call filler programmes.

Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Considering how long it has been broadcasting, I think it being fresh is a big ask. I would say it's distinctive. It has come a long way since I used to Watch Muffin the Mule .

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

Overall I really like the BBC, I use the iPlayer and I think the quality of the shows that BBC made is very high.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I think the amount provided is just right, if they tried to do more they would stretch themselves too thin and it could cost jobs within the BBC.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

I can't think of anything

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Again there is nothing I can think of

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes definitely, I love the nature documentaries. I love the how they were made bits that some are doing as well, very informative.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

They do a very good variety of shows and services, all of which are of a high level. I think they are fresh and distinctive. Overall I really like the BBC, I use the iPlayer and I think the quality of the shows that the BBC make is very high.

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

Overall I love the BBC.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee? there should be more online programmes.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

More drama, more investigative journalism and risk more with new

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Repeats.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes, mostly.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

It's distinctive but I wouldn't say fresh. It needs to be more innovative and not be afraid to try different things. It's too risk averse and tends to pick safe topics.

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

The BBC is not as good as it used to be. I find their political coverage to be biased in favour of one or other of the large parties.

Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I think the cost of the licence is too high. To make it worthwhile they should provide more online and on catchup and both these services should be free of charge.

What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

More gritty dramas and maybe more real history

What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Reality shows, chat shows etc etc they get very boring after a while and for me makes for cheap TV

Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Sometimes yes (Ripper St) sometimes no (The Voice). The children's programmes are not as good and leave a lot to be desired

Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

I think the BBC is rather jaded these days, old formats, too many repeats, too many biased political programmes, too many wildlife programmes

I think they have markedly improved over the past few years especially nature programmes. I think the license fee works, i player could be a bit better and stream programmes from a few years back. I would like to see more football and less of grimmy on radio 1. Their dramas are high quality as are their documentaries so I would say that yes they are fresh and distinctive.

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I'm a big fan!

Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I think it's about right to be honest. A good range of programmes and channels. I'd prefer it if programmes were available for longer on iPlayer though!

What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Ability to be able to get older episodes and programmes on iPlayer

What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Repeats on live TV.

Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

To be honest, I think its of a high standard, but no higher than the other TV channels / companies. It's all of a very standard format, although I like the familiarity of it.

Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

When it comes to some programming yes, but as I've said above, I feel it's along the same standard format as the others.

I'm a fan of the BBC and actually feel quite anxious and protective of it.

I feel very strongly that the government of the day (particularly the current government) should not have powers to fundamentally alter the BBC. If the BBC was privatised, it would become just another broadcaster. This would open the way for the Conservative government to abolish the current laws regarding the impartiality of news broadcasts. (As they were trying to do under pressure from Murdoch, before the hacking scandal broke). We'd end up with Fox News.

The BBC, like the NHS, is ours, funded by us, for the benefit of everyone - so I don't think you should be able to opt out of paying for it even if you feel you don't use it, like the NHS. If you compare the cost to say, Sky, I think it is very good value.

I think the standard of programming is generally high. BBC radio, often overlooked in discussions about what the BBC does, is a huge asset.

The World service often provides the most trusted news in places where the national broadcaster is seen as under political control.

I personally think there should be less sport, although the coverage is generally good, it costs too much to compete for the rights, especially for football.

I'd have fewer sitcoms, which are usually poor. There should be a book programme. Stop moving the film programme around so no-one can find it. I'd like a sort of boxset function on the iplayer to catch up with old series.

Show more films, (this is cheap) not necessarily new blockbuster types but curated series, fronted by eg. Mark Cousins.

They could prune some of the higher echelons of management although I'm sure all large corporations have their share of vastly overpaid expense fiddling greedy pigs.

It is completely distinctive.

I think the BBC is very good value for money. I don't begrudge paying for the TV Licence. Having no adverts is a good thing! I also think the quality of the programmes is excellent and there is such a variety on all the BBC channels, radio stations, website. My only gripe is that they do sometimes repeat a lot of shows, but as I have Sky this is no problem for me. Another thing they shouldn't do is to change the scheduling just because football is on!!!

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I adore the idea of it and feel a lot of goodwill which is renewed by some programmes, particularly the radio, and put off by other experiences.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I don't want to lose anything that the BBC currently does, though I can see that it has spread itself quite thinly at times. I don't think it can possibly do more than it does at the moment to the same quality.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

In general, be awkward, controversial and bloody-minded - which would probably mean letting individual journalists, writers and producers be those things. The best example I can think of is referring to 'the British troops' on the news, was it during the Falklands war? In particular, develop new wriiters and programme makers, and also sports that are high participation but not of interest to broadcasters into commercial broadcasting propositions that can be picked up and ruined by other channels.

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Make big deals with 'talent' that then means they turn up on endless different programmes. I'm not actually sure that thsi happens but to me it's the only explanation why you have someone like, I don't know, Ross Kemp suddenly being in loads of dramas, documentaries, everything within a single financial year. ITV have done it with Sarah Lancashire and others. I find it really annoying.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

On the radio I think what they do is usually beyond brilliant but has areas of stasis. On the TV I think what they do is often very good and occasionally inspiring.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Distinctive - yes. You only have to look at what Channel 4 used to be and what it is now to see that the BBC is distinctive in its ability to hold a place in national life. Fresh - actually, yes, a lot of the time, but i am like others in not seeing why everything has to be 'fresh' - some things should be but there's nothing wrong with having some things that are well-preserved or well-seasoned. There should be room for fresh things and I think the BBC does far better with this than most programme-makers. What are we comparing its freshness to - Dave?? Presumably HBO or Sky? I can't comment, I don't have either and have no plans to.

Please let us know your answers to the questions below:

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?
• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?
• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?
• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?
• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?
• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

I have several gripes with the BBC:

1. Dumbing down and treating viewers as idiots. The recent Wimbledon highlights show was a classic example of this. It was so embarrassingly bad I couldn't watch, and I'm a huge tennis fan. The athletics coverage last week too was cringeworthy. We call it 'The One Show' effect in this house.

1. Excessive cross-promotion of other BBC shows, particularly on the news. Half the stories will relate to a BBC programme later that day.

1. Poor research particularly with news/business stories. If you know anything about the subject then much of what is being reported is wrong. Dh can't watch the business news without shouting at the TV. There is also too much reading out of press releases that have been handed to the BBC rather than analysing them and providing any degree of critical analysis.

I have no problem with the amount of radio and TV that the BBC provides. I struggle to see the point of radio 1 or BBC 3 much of the time, but the rest of it has it's place. I would like to see +1 channels. I know you can watch things on iplayer but my TV set up means I can only use iplayer when I'm not recording anything and I feel quite restricted by that. Plus it takes an age to load (rural area, with very slow super fast broadband).

I would like far less of the celebrity shows- strictly come dancing etc. and certainly less of the promoting of these shows on the news programmes.

I don't think the BBC is that fresh. The best things it has shown in recent years are Imports - The Killing, for example.

The things that the BBC does do well is being royal and political events, but there needs to be more effort to do these sensibly and not bring in every celebrity who will come to the opening of an envelope.

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?
I don't think much of it, I hardly watch any of the BBC's programs and it annoys me I have to pay a licence fee when I watch one program a month, if that.

Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?
I don't think there should be a licence fee at all, so, I guess that means I want more services to make it worthwhile, but to be honest I don't think there is anything they could do to make having to pay worth it.

What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?
I think it should take more risks to appeal to the younger generation.

What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?
Stop trying to pander to the fuddy-duddies who keep making it seem outdated and out of touch.

Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?
I think a lot of the programs probably are high quality, although not my cup of tea.

Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?
No, I think as a company they are seen as old fashioned.

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?
Good service, good for dramas

Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?
I think less radio stations
What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?
Dramas

What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?
Sport

Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Yes, I enjoy dramas and documentaries

Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?
I would say the only distinction is the lack of adverts. Fresh is not a word that springs to mind when I think of the BBC but I don't think that's a bad thing, I think high quality programmes are more important

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I love the BBC, especially BBC1 which is my favourite, everything is so high quality.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I think the BBC provides lots of services, perhaps making available programmes which have been on maybe a few years previously instead of having to purchase the DVD. The license fee is a struggle in itself, purchasing shows I have heard about isn't possible

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Love original drama, especially supernatural which there isn't enough of.

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Unfunny sitcoms and physical game shows.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes, usually a high standard of writing, great variety and talented cast involved in each show.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes, other channels are full of American shows, reality shows and bad quality drama. BBC always keeps things moving along although I find it irritating when a programme is cancelled with no conclusion. You spend the year waiting for the nectar series and find it's gone!

I think the BBC should keep BBC Three and also add the +1 channel on BBC 1 and 2 - they are a bit behind the times with this!

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC? I think it provides a great, unique service.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee? It's about right.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of? More nature documentries

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of? Less radio stations

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not? Very high quality, they provide TV programmes that just wouldn't be available if paid for by adverts.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not? Yes and No. I think it's always improving but has a good moral code.

For me the BBC can be summed up as a kind of good cop / bad cop routine.

I love some of the programmes that without funding they would not be able to make, and over the years there have been some absolute classic series! I also love gardeners world and a lot of the science programmes.

However, I do feel that the BBC needs an overhaul of the way the budgets are managed - I mean the amount of money is absolutely humongous that they get and it only goes up and up as more and more houses are built and so more licences are needed. I feel that perhaps too much middle management is clogging up the finances and some of the people who work for the BBC might think they are a bit above themselves (just off top of head take the instance when Ronnie Corbett cancelled an appearance in 2010 - i think he was 79 at the time.

Some of the so called "celebs" seem also to be paid a huge amount of money - instead of this lets get some new series made with people who we dont know, but will grow to love! there is an awful lot of talent out there and instead of the middle management the BBC just needs someone to overhaul the finances and restructure it and get some talent touts out there to bring them to the BBC - it needs more fresh blood on the screen.

Too many radio channels!!! how can anyone possibly listen regularly to so many? I think we could possibly merge some of these (and yes I do listen to the radio every day).

Best bits of the BBC - gardeners world, beechgrove garden, countryfile, prof. Brian Cox, sherlock, dr who, john bishop. Favourite bit ever: My blackberry isnt working sketch with Ronnie Corbett and Harry Enfield!!! classic.

Worst bit of the BBC - what I call 'filler programmes' like that TV that made me or whatever its called. Can we see something new please? Also newsreaders - i cant stand watching the news channel you have because the presenters speak in that annoying way like they do when they read the news on the radio - the sentences dont have flow (is it because someone is talking to them through the earpiece at the same time they are trying to talk)?

Weather map - its no wonder children grow up and have no idea about scale and geography when they look at the map of the UK shown during the weather - its a joke... it looks like its being viewed via a circus mirror with a big bottom and extra small top! Can we have a realistic one? If the South West was really that big you would be able to build another London (or two) on it without anyone really noticing.

and finally just one little gripe - Beechgrove Garden - I love watching that, and yet the only time its on the main BBC out of Scotland is so early on sunday morning!!!! I dont live in Scotland but I love watching that programme as its relevant to me (as we live in the north) as it covers things that can be grown north of Birmingham. While on the subject of gardening the allotment programme you had seemed to have some woman wincing and pulling some faces while sampling jams - can we have an allotment where people actually show how to grow stuff and the problems they overcome instead?

oh I nearly forgot, Thank you BBC for letting Susanna Reid go - I feel that breakfast news is safe to watch again. Seriously, it was far too early for the flirting (especially when I am trying to eat breakfast) phew.... no more barfing over cornflakes when she did the kenny everett "cupid stunt" trick.... I think she scored a hatrick.... ewww

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

Glad we have it. It tries hard to be impartial and to deliver quality broadcasting.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

More.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

More children's radio.

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Fewer quiz shows.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

High quality.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Distinctive? Perhaps. Fresh? Not very - but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes good things don't need to change too much!

I wish the BBC would bring back differentiated licenses for their different services, i.e., bring back a radio and a new online licence. Their online content is generally good (news reporting could do with being less about repeating press releases) and I value public sector broadcasting, but I'm having trouble talking my dh into paying for a TV licence when we don't and have never used broadcast TV programmes.

Please let us know your answers to the questions below:

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

Very good, especially Radio 4.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I think radio should be free but we should pay for TV by licence fee or some other method.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Downton Abbey type series

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

Soaps including the ARchers

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes, high quality but I use Sky and only watch a limited range of progs which I record to watch when it suits me. I like comedies.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Not as fresh as Sky Atlantic

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

Good programmes. I do wish we did not have to pay a separate TV licence. It must cost a fortune to administer. Why not abolish it and add the difference to income tax? So that the BBC still get the same amount of money.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

About the same

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Nothing

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

local radio

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I like the BBC, it has been a constant in my life from as early as I can remember when we only had a choice of 3 channels that were all closed by midnight!

Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I think they are about right, I would like them to have +1 channel options and keep BBC 3 as it is rather than have it as online only, which is being considered.

What one thing would you like the BBC do less of? Reality shows like The Voice etc, purely because not my choice and other stations do enough.

Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

I think so, they are never going to please everyone all of the time, but it is coveted around the world, I enjoy listening to Radio5Live daily.

Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

I think it is distinctive in the format and type of programmes, I think it can only be regarded as fresh if it tackles more ground-breaking type documentaries and programmes, although this can alienate some. on the whole I think they have the balance right.

- Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

I think the BBC is an amazing institution, and a world-class broadcaster. For current affairs/news, I trust the BBC over all the other channels/broadcasters.

- Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I think that the BBC provides great value for money, for the licence fee. I appreciate, and use all the services mentioned.

- What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

If I could choose one thing for the BBC to do more of, it would be radio comedy - I could spend all day listing the intelligent, witty, hilarious comedies I have heard on BBC radio - and it brings real joy to my life.

- What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

I don't think the BBC can lose anything from its oeuvre, without becoming diminished.

- Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

YES - the BBC provides high quality output - and I believe that this is mainly due to the fact that it is not reliant on commercials, to fund its work.

- Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

I don't think that the BBC needs to be 'new' - if that meant losing sight of its history, and the things it has done so well for so long. It has to move with the times, and it can, and does, do cutting edge work, but it must not throw away quality in the pursuit of novelty - in other words, yes, it can and is new and fresh, but it doesn't need to be Lady Gag's meat dress. I hope that makes sense.

I think the BBC is ok, needs a big shake up all round as I believe Sky is better as a provider for tv needs.

• Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

Generally good quality programmes. They should be unbiased but although profess to be are not. They waste money by having three presenters on programmes like Homes Under The Hammer, when for years it has had two, & successful. Pay certain presenters & celebrities astronomical salaries. Send numerous staff to report on news abroad. Never accept viewers do not like what they say/do when they reply on News Watch, or Points Of View.

• Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

They could do less services.

• What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

Correct capital letters for proper nouns, & titles on credits etc. & not lower case. How can they expect children to do it correctly if they do not?

• What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

The 'dumbing' down that seems to be prolific at present.

• Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Generally high quality but a lot of dumbing down creeping in.

• Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Quite distinctive but losing the freshness. Like Strictly Come Dancing with the same format, same panel, saying the same quips etc. Too many repeats on especially at peak holiday times when the family want to spend time viewing such as Christmas/Easter.

This is a cheat, I already went to the trouble to send in my feedback to the proper consultation (they don't half make it difficult).

Overall, what do you think of the BBC?

Love it.

Do you think the BBC should provide more or less services (e.g. TV, online, iPlayer, radio) for the licence fee?

I like it how it is, I'd say lose iplayer if any of those.

What one thing would you like to see the BBC do more of?

More original radio content (in depth coverage of topics, current affairs, interviews etc), rather than trying to stretch original content over repeats on 2-4 networks.

What one thing would you like the BBC do less of?

I follow cycling but am not bothered about the rest of their sports coverage. £204 million to broadcast match of the day... how many radio and other drama or current affairs or quality science etc. programmes could they make for that price on tv & radio? Olympics, professional footie, Formula1 & Wimbledon; drop 'em and let private sector do them instead.

Do you think what the BBC provides is high quality?

Yes. Awareness that it's publicly funded keeps standards very high.

Do you think the BBC is distinctive and fresh?

Distinctive: yes, high quality makes it distinctive.
Fresh: I dunno what this means if not unique? I'm only bored by BBC when they run too many repeats & the TV documentaries can move super slow which I think is a cost-cutting thing, too.