Success at their expense
Channel 4 set to overtake BBC2
It's no real surprise to discover that Channel 4 has been doing well recently, with ITV having fallen asleep on the job (it's only now finding some potential) and the BBC suffering more than most with thinly-spread resources and threats of cutbacks, leaving Channel 4 as the only terrestrial broadcaster with money, flexibility and vision.
With one eye on charter renewal, BBC Two became more upmarket and highbrow with the appointment of Roly Keating to replace the more populist Jane Root as controller, so a small ratings dip was inevitable as a result. The loss of The Simpsons to Channel 4 did have an effect but it shouldn't be a great concern nowadays.
Another factor has been the heavy emphasis on establishing BBC Three (especially) as a preferred licence-fee-justifying destination for its picky, channel-surfing 18-34 target audience, which in turn has partly hobbled other BBC channels due to the application of scarce resources coupled with a demanding audience and a tight remit, with decidedly mixed results.
This has hit BBC Two the hardest, since BBC One is now considered the main "family entertainment" channel. My opinion? Roly Keating is taking BBC Two in the right direction and has produced some popular programming (Coast, Springwatch, etc.) but would further benefit from not having to avoid treading on BBC Three's toes in the process.
