How the BBC’s bid for younger viewers puts licence fee in ‘grave danger’

The BBC faces losing “loyal” pensioner licence payers if Gardeners’ World gets a youth makeover to appease the “YouTube audience” after Monty Don steps down, bosses have been warned. The programme’s longest-serving head gardener, Don, 71, announced that he will leave at the end of the current series, after 23 years. Devastated fans of Don’s knowledgeable advice and warm presence called his decision to step down a “horticultural tragedy”. Shorts Whilst Don will return next year with a new BBC travel series, Garden Islands, there are concerns that the 58-year-old Gardeners’ World, a Friday night BBC Two fixture with a loyal audience of more than 1.5 million viewers, could be the latest victim of BBC cuts. The BBC is seeking £500m in savings after an unexpected acceleration in the number of people cancelling the £180-a-year licence fee – the number of active licences fell by 539,000 last year. Fears for the future of ‘Gardeners’ World’ Shows ranging from Blankety Blank to Ski Sunday have been scrapped, with bosses warning that the future of entire channels is under review. Options being considered include merging BBC Four with BBC Two, and the closure of BBC Three, with staff fearing that no programme is safe. One former BBC executive said: “Gardeners’ World is a legacy from the 60s when BBC Two was created to encourage leisure pursuits. Now the BBC is moving from scheduled channels to iPlayer and BBC Two may not exist in the future.” “The question is how Gardeners’ World can punch through on iPlayer, which is dominated by drama, reality and entertainment shows.” The BBC said it was committed to a new Gardeners’ World series in 2027. But there are concerns that Don’s exit could be the cue to shake up the veteran programme’s formula in order to increase its appeal with younger viewers. YouTube gardening stars next in line? Producers could tap into a wave of “YouTube gardeners” such as Lee Burkhill, an award-winning garden designer who fronts the Garden Ninja channel and who has already proved a hit on BBC makeover show, Garden Rescue. Award-winning garden designer Lee Burkhill who fronts the Garden Ninja channel and who has already proved a hit on BBC makeover show, Garden Rescue (Photo: Anthony Devlin/Getty) John Mair, a former BBC producer and author of The BBC: After The Licence Fee?, said he fears that “the oldies are falling off the edge of presenting, not just Don.” Mair said: “There is a grave danger that in aiming for the YouTube audience the BBC may lose the older ones or licence payers as they are known. YouTube should be an add-on to BBC programmes, not the other way round – 23 million people pay a licence fee and expect broadcast services.” Older viewers warning Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, the campaign group that represents pensioners, said Don’s departure must not become “another example of how the BBC prioritises its dwindling youth audience over and above its huge pensioner base.” “I get constant complaints from our members that there is less and less BBC programming of interest to older people and the move to digital at all costs is alienating many. “Little wonder then that more older people are refusing to pay the licence fee, as we feel that the BBC has deserted us.” However, insiders said the BBC could look internally for a new head gardener, with Frances Tophill, 36, who joined the Gardeners’ World team in 2016, seen as the natural successor to Don. A BBC spokesperson said: “We will announce any changes to the programme in due course.” Don in demand Devotees pointed to the show’s ability to reinvent itself after the departure of previous much-loved gardeners including Percy Thrower and Alan Titchmarsh. Don’s departure was not unexpected within the BBC. He suffered a minor stroke in 2008 and had recently spoken about the intensive filming process the show requires, saying, “I have no desire to do it for ever.” With his contract expiring on 31 December, Don discussed a new deal with the BBC over the summer. In the end, both parties agreed that Don would step down from Gardeners’ World but work with the BBC on other projects. The move means Don is now likely to receive lucrative offers to present gardening podcasts, publish books and meet his fans at Q&A events. ‘Right time for a change’ In a statement, Don said working on the show had been a “deeply rewarding experience”, but added: “Now is the right time for a change.” The BBC’s chief content officer Kate Phillips said Don was “a wonderfully engaging broadcaster with a soothing, calm presence who has inspired so many”. “Monty’s decision to leave Gardeners’ World is one I respect, but I’m still very sad he’s leaving,” she added. William Hill odds – new ‘Gardeners’ World‘ presenter Frances Tophill13/8Adam Frost2/1No single lead/Ensemble5/1Arit Anderson9/1Joe Swift12/1Rachel de Thame14/1Jamie Butterworth20/1Nick Bailey33/1Charlie Dimmock50/1