BBC Three 393289 226014218 2008-07-16T13:15:58Z 88.97.10.232 /* Criticism */ {{Refimprove|date=July 2008}} {{For|the BBC radio station|BBC Radio 3}} {{Infobox TV channel| name = BBC Three| logofile = BBC Three.svg|| logosize = 175px| logoalt = BBC Three logo| launch = [[9 February]], [[2003]]| picture format = [[16:9]], [[576i]] ([[SDTV]])| share = 1.3%<br>| share as of = April 2008| share source = [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/monthreports.cfm?report=monthgmulti&requesttimeout=500]| owner = [[BBC]]| country = {{UK}}| replaced names = [[BBC Choice]]| web = [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree]| sister names = [[BBC One]],<br>[[BBC Two]],<br>[[BBC Four]]| terr serv 1 = [[Freeview (United Kingdom)|Freeview]]| terr chan 1 = Channel 7| sat serv 1 = [[Freesat]]| sat chan 1 = Channel 106| sat serv 2 = [[Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)|Sky Digital]]| sat chan 2 = Channel 115| sat serv 3 = [[Astra 2D]]| sat chan 3 = 10773H 22000 5/6| cable serv 1 = [[Virgin Media]]| cable chan 1 = Channel 106| cable serv 2 = [[UPC Ireland]]| cable chan 2 = Channel 116| cable serv 3 = [[UPC Netherlands]]| cable chan 3 = Channel 805| cable serv 4 = [[WightCable]]| cable chan 4 = Channel 106/10| cable serv 5 = [[Ziggo]] <small>(Netherlands)</small>| cable chan 5 = Channel 52| cable serv 6 = [[Telenet (Belgium)|Telenet]] <small>(Belgium)</small>| cable chan 6 = Channel 565| adsl serv 1 = [[Tiscali TV]]| adsl chan 1 = Channel 19| | online serv 1 = [[bbc.co.uk]] | online chan 1 = [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/livearena/ Watch online] |}} '''BBC Three''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] television channel from the [[BBC]] broadcasting via [[digital cable]], [[Freeview (United Kingdom)|terrestrial]], [[IPTV]] and [[Satellite television|satellite]] platforms. The channel is described by the BBC as an outlet for 'New drama, talent, comedy, films, and accessible news'. The channel is on-air from 19:00 to about 04:00 each night, in order to share [[Freeview|terrestrial digital]] [[bandwidth]] with the [[CBBC Channel]]. Unlike its commercial rivals, 90% of BBC Three's output is from the [[United Kingdom]] and other [[European Union]] countries. 80% is original, covering all genres, from current affairs, to drama, to comedy to animation. BBC Three has a unique '60 second news' format. This was adopted so that operation of the channel could be completely automated, without the complication of dealing with variable length live news broadcasts. The current controller of the station is [[Danny Cohen]],<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/04_april/10/three.shtml BBC - Press Office - Danny Cohen named Controller of BBC Three] BBC Press Office</ref> and the Head of Scheduling is Dan McGolpin. ==Launch== The channel is the successor to the similar [[BBC Choice]] and was launched on [[9 February]] [[2003]], eleven months after the originally planned launch date (and the launch of [[BBC Four]]). The delay was due to debate over its proposed format - some felt it wouldn't be sufficiently different from existing commercial channels catering to young people. The channel was launched by Stuart Murphy, who previously ran [[BBC Choice]], and before that [[UK Play]], the now-discontinued [[UKTV]] music and comedy channel on which ran ''[[Rock Profile]]'', by [[Matt Lucas]] and [[David Walliams]] (who went on to star in ''[[Little Britain]]''). At 33, Murphy was the youngest channel controller in the country, a title he held since launching UK Play at the age of 26, although on [[20 October]] [[2005]] it was announced that Murphy was soon to leave the channel to work in commercial television. ==Identity== {{Main|History of BBC television idents#BBC Three|l1=History of BBC television idents}} [[Image:BBCthreeblobs.jpg|thumb|left|One of the former BBC Three "Blobs"]] [[Image:Bbc new indent.jpg|thumb|right|One of the new BBC Three idents]] The channel's original [[television ident|idents]] were conceived by Stefan Marjoram at [[Aardman Animations]] and were used from launch until February 2008. Stuart Murphy was touring Aardman Animations looking for new programming ideas for BBC Three when he spotted the cone shaped creatures, he then took the idea back to the [[Lambie-Nairn]] agency, responsible for the BBC Three identity package.<ref>[http://www.tvradiobits.co.uk/idents/bbc3.htm BBC Television Idents] TV & Radio Bits</ref> A feature of this identity is also the music "Three Is The Magic Number", based (only the lyrics are copied) upon [[Schoolhouse Rock!]]. [[bbc.co.uk]] provided a number of downloads and activities based on the channel's identity, these included "BlobMate", screensavers, wallpapers and also games such as ''BlobLander'' and ''BlobBert''. The idea used by both Lambie-Nairn, who had developed the branding for [[CBeebies]] and [[CBBC]], and Aardman, was to create the BBC Three blobs as a relation to the [[green]] and [[yellow]] blobs of the children's channels. Up until they rebranded the channel, it had two continuity announcers, [[Kieron Elliott]], who has a Scottish accent, and also presents the breakfast show on 96.3 Rock Radio, and a female, [[Lola Buckley]] who has a [[Yorkshire dialect and accent|Yorkshire accent]]. On [[22 January]] [[2008]] a new channel identity was unveiled. Rebranding was carried out by [[Red Bee Media]], along with agencies MPG and Agency Republic with music and sound design by creative audio company Koink.<ref>[http://www.koink.uk.com Koink Productions]Koink</ref>. The channel will have 6 new idents, 6 stings and 3 promo openers all produced by [[Nexus Productions]].<ref>[http://www.redbeemedia.com/press/2008/rbm_rebrand_bbc3.shtml]</ref> Danny Cohen, BBC Three's Controller, speaking of the rebranding said: "I'm delighted to announce BBC Three's fantastic line-up of new programmes, along with our innovative and exciting approach to television for young audiences. BBC Three is aiming to become Britain's most ambitious multi-platform network – combining television and the web into a single, integrated offering.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/01_january/22/bbcthree.shtml BBC Three Winter/Spring 2008] BBC Press Office</ref> ==Programming== {{main|List of programmes broadcast by the BBC}} In early 2003, viewers could watch episodes of popular BBC soap opera ''[[EastEnders]]'' on BBC Three before they were broadcast on [[BBC One]]. This was to coincide with the relaunch of the channel and helped it break the one million viewers milestone for the first time. The episode was not originally commissioned for the channel. An episode of ''EastEnders Revealed'', which was commissioned for BBC Three, attracted 611,000 viewers. In October 2004, BBC Three broke its previous records at the time, when 1.8 million viewers tuned in for a new series of the award-winning comedy, ''[[Little Britain]]''.<ref name="keyfacts">{{cite press release | title = Key Facts: BBC Three | publisher = The British Broadcasting Corporation |date=2006-02 | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/bbcthree.shtml | accessdate = 2007-01-08 }}</ref> ''Little Britain'' was later broadcast on the BBC's terrestrial analogue channels BBC One and [[BBC Two]]. In the same year newly commissioned [[Chris Crudelli]] hit [[Mind, Body & Kick Ass Moves]] was rolled out to over 100 countries. In 2005, BBC Three showed the documentary series ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'' immediately after episodes of the new series of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' had been screened on BBC One. This was followed up in July 2005, when it began to screen repeats of both programmes. Coincidentally, the 1971 ''Doctor Who'' story ''[[The Dæmons]]'' featured a broadcast on a then-fictional BBC Three. In October 2005, it was announced that BBC Three had commissioned a spin-off drama series from ''Doctor Who'', ''[[Torchwood]]'', designed as a post-[[watershed (television)|watershed]] [[science fiction]] drama for a more adult audience. ''Torchwood'' is the first science fiction programme ever to have been commissioned by the channel, although it had previously shown repeats of ''Doctor Who'' and imported programmes such as ''[[Farscape]]''. ''[[Torchwood]]'' launched with an impressive 2.4 million viewers in October 2006, not only breaking BBC Three's previous record of 1.8 million,<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Torchwood scores record audience |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6077078.stm |work= |publisher=''[[BBC News]]'' |date=2006-10-23 |accessdate=2008-01-03 }}</ref> but it is also believed to be the biggest ever multichannel audience for a UK-originated, non-sports programme, thought to be third to an episode of ''[[Friends (TV series)|Friends]]'', broadcast on [[Sky One]] in 2000, which attracted 2.8 million viewers and in 2006 with Sky One's [[Terry Pratchett's Hogfather]] which attracted 2.6 million viewers.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} The second episode attracted an equally impressive 2.3 million viewers, and boosted BBC Three to a 3.5% share of multichannel viewing that evening, compared to the network's three month Sunday average of 0.9%.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Successful new programmes have included ''[[Funland]]'', described as being a 'disturbingly funny new thriller', which first aired on Sunday [[23 October]], [[2006]] at 22:00. It has since been repeated on prime-time [[BBC One]]. Other new programmes which crossed channels have been ''[[Tittybangbang]]'', a comedy sketch show starring [[Lucy Montgomery (actor)|Lucy Montgomery]] and [[Debbie Chazen]], which first aired on [[January 10]], [[2006]], and featured a range of bizarre characters, and ''[[Man Stroke Woman]]'', another sketch show, starring [[Nick Frost]] and [[Nicholas Burns (British actor)|Nick Burns]], mostly dealing with relationships of 20- and 30-somethings, which first aired on [[November 21]], [[2005]]. Based on the programme's success, it began to be repeated on [[BBC Two]]. BBC Three was also the home to [[Monkey Dust]], a twisted adult animation which graphically depicted many stereotypes such as [[paedophilia]], [[racism]] and youth '[[hoodie]]' violence. The channel features hourly news updates called ''[[60 Seconds]]'', which includes the top news, sport and entertainment stories. It is presented in a cheeky, relaxed style in keeping with the rest of the channel. As part of the BBC's discussions with the government in whether the channel could launch originally, a longer news programme had been promised to provide a daily section of news and current affairs. ''The News Show'', as it came to be called upon launch was later rebranded ''[[The 7 O'Clock News]]''. However, the BBC discontinued the bulletin in 2005, claiming that in fact, the programme's audiences were minuscule and the output was provided elsewhere on the BBC. In 2006, BBC Three aired the first run of a back-up show for BBC Two's ''[[The Apprentice (UK)|The Apprentice]]'', ''You're Fired!'' until sport and high ratings moved it to [[BBC Two]]. Popular programmes on the channel include ''[[Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps]]'' (the channel's longest running comedy), ''[[The Mighty Boosh]]'' and ''[[Family Guy]]''. In May 2007 the channel aired the new sitcom ''[[Gavin & Stacey]]'' written by and staring [[Ruth Jones]] and [[James Corden]] alongside [[Mathew Horne]], [[Joanna Page]], [[Alison Steadman]] and [[Rob Brydon]]. ''[[Match of the Day|Match of the Day Live]]'' international football matches featuring [[Wales national football team|Wales]] are often shown if an [[England national football team|England]] match is being shown on BBC One. The channel also shows some matches of [[England women's national football team|England's Women's team]]. The [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations]] was shown on the channel from 20 January – 10 February 2008. BBC Three is also home to many pan-psychology based programmes which bring topics such as addictions and childcare into an entertainment and educational context. Such programmes include ''[[Freaky Eaters]]'', ''Spendaholics'', ''House of Tiny Tearways'', ''Sex..with Mum & Dad'', ''[[No Angels (TV series)|Little Angels]]'', ''[[Little Angels (TV series)|Little Angels with Tanya Byron]]'' and ''Teen Angels''. New shows commissioned included [[Lily Allen and Friends]], a variety show based on social networking, hosted by [[Lily Allen]],<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/lilyallen/ BBC - Lily Allen and Friends] BBC Press Office</ref>, a multi-platform talent show [[Upstaged]] presented by DJ [[Scott Mills]], a series of "hard-hitting" documentaries aimed at a young audience<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/09_september/09/young.shtml BBC - Press Office - BBC Three commissions documentaries season] BBC Press Office</ref> and six new drama pilots; [[Phoo Action]] (which is to be made into a full series)<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/07_july/10/pilots.shtml BBC - Press Office - BBC Three drama pilots herald new younger drama] BBC Press Office</ref>, ''[[Being Human (TV series)|Being Human]](also to be made into a series due to public demand)'', ''[[Mrs Inbetweeny]]'', ''[[West 10 LDN]]'', ''[[The Things I Haven't Told You]]'' and ''[[Dis/Connected]]''. ==Viewership== [[Image:BBC Three viewing figures from BARB.png|right|thumb|BBC three viewing share to April 2008]] The channel is aimed at 25-34 year olds,<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/bbcthree.shtml Key Facts - BBC Three] BBC Press Office</ref> and competes with other digital channels including [[ITV2]] and [[E4 (channel)|E4]].<ref>[http://www.brandrepublic.com/login/News/779694/ Is BBC Three a commercial threat?] Brand Republic</ref> Its share of the audience during its transmission hours is 2.6% among 25-34 year olds, and 1.7% among all individuals. [[BARB]], the official ratings agency, averages out BBC Three's viewing figures over 24 hours even though the channel only broadcasts in the evening, giving a distorted sense of the channel's viewership. Despite several official complaints from the BBC, BARB continues to publish figures which the BBC argues are unrepresentative. Nine million people watch BBC Three every week.<ref name="keyfacts" /> ==Awards== The channel has had critical and popular successes, winning more awards in its four year history than its commercial rivals ([[Sky One]], [[Living (channel)|Living]], [[E4 (channel)|E4]], [[ITV2]], [[Five (channel)|Five]] and [[Paramount Comedy Channel]]) have won in their combined 25-year history. In total BBC Three has won 7 [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] awards, 5 [[British Comedy Award]]s, 15 [[Royal Television Society]] Awards and 5 [[Rose d'Or]] Awards since the channel was launched in February 2003. Most recently, it won ''Broadcast Magazine'''s ''Digital Channel of the Year'' Award for Best General Entertainment Channel, and MGEITF Non Terrestrial Channel of the Year. All three of BBC Three's dramas produced in 2004 (''[[Outlaws (2004 TV series)|Outlaws]]'', ''[[Bodies (TV series)|Bodies]]'' and ''[[Conviction (TV series)|Conviction]]'') received BAFTA nominations, as did classical music show ''Flashmob The Opera''. In 2008, BBC Three's [[Gavin and Stacey]] won the BAFTA audience award and the best comedy performance award was awarded to James Corden for his part. ==Criticism== The channel has also come in for criticism from several corners, the most prominent of which are some of the BBC's long-standing presenters. These include [[John Humphrys]], who argued that BBC Three and BBC Four should be shut down in the face of budget cuts to [[Radio 4]]'s [[Today programme]], which he presents<ref name="jhumphrys">{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/humphrys-bbc-costcutters-should-axe-new-channels-401269.html|title=Humphrys: BBC cost-cutters should axe new channels|author=Ian Burrell|accessdate=08-05-2008}}</ref>, [[John Sweeney]] of [[Panorama]]<ref name="jsweeney">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=479553&in_page_id=1770|accessdate=08-05-2008|author=Daniel Bates|title=Scrap BBC Three and Four to save prestigious programmes, says veteran journalist John Humphrys}}</ref>, and [[Jeremy Paxman]] are among other journalists have also criticised the channel and its content<ref name="times">{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/camilla_cavendish/article2028767.ece|title=BBC Three and Four, your number's up|author=Camilla Cavendish|accessdate=08-05-2008}}</ref>. ==Proposed earlier start time for BBC Three== BBC Vision director Jana Bennett confirmed in an interview<ref>[http://blog.wotsat.com/page/whatsat?entry=bbc_three_plans_extended_broadcast]</ref> for [[Broadcast magazine]] in May 2008 that the [[BBC Trust]] has been petitioned to change the start of transmission time from the current time of 7pm each evening to earlier in the afternoon. A decision from the Trust is not expected until 2009. Bennett said that some of the extra hours would be given over to [[BBC Switch]] the BBC's teen programming strand. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{BBCportal}} *{{bbc.co.uk|id=bbcthree|title=BBC Three}} *[http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-perl/whatson/search/daylist.cgi?service_id=4288&day=Today BBC Three listings] at bbc.co.uk {{BBC Television}} {{BARB UK viewing figures}} [[Category:BBC television channels in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Television channels in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2003]] [[de:BBC Three]] [[es:BBC Three]] [[fr:BBC Three]] [[hi:बीबीसी थ्री]] [[id:BBC Three]] [[nl:BBC Three]] [[pl:BBC Three]] [[pt:BBC Three]] [[sv:BBC Three]]