The BBC has confirmed it will axe three popular television programmes—Live at the Apollo, Blankety Blank, and Celebrity Mastermind—as part of a major cost-cutting drive to save £500 million over three years.
Cost-cutting measures
The cancellations were announced on Wednesday, July 29. BBC Content aims to cut at least £100 million annually, reducing original television output by 100 to 150 hours per year. Falling audience figures were a key factor. Live at the Apollo fell from 1.3 million viewers in 2018 to around 660,000 for its most recent series. Celebrity Mastermind dropped from an average of 4 million in 2017 to 1.7 million. Blankety Blank declined from 5.5 million in its 2021 debut to 2.3 million.
Audience reactions
Viewers took to Reddit to share their thoughts. One user commented: "Apollo has dropped off; most comics are on TikTok and YouTube first, and their shows are often televised or sell out at arena. Don't see the point of the BBC paying loads for what is essentially a stand up show." Another said: "Live at the Apollo used to be on the top of my watch list. Now we're flooded with comedian's standup, either in segments (YoTube or TikTok) or full hour-long specials nearly every week. It's also tucked away at 10pm on a mid week day. Most in bed or watching other things (ratings suggest the news) so not ideal." A third noted: "I didn't realise that Live at the Apollo was still going." Another wrote: "I thought Love at the Apollo could be cheap (it's essentially hard cam at comedy gig) but I can't remember the last time I watched it. Other two are very dated too." One commenter said: "I won't miss Blankety Blank, but Apollo is a shame. It used to be really good and introduced some great acts in its day but it had really dropped off." Someone else added: "I'm surprised by Celebrity Mastermind as it must cost peanuts to make, it must really not be getting enough viewers to make it worth cancelling." Another commented they "loved" Celebrity Mastermind, with a fellow viewer agreeing: "Same, really sad about that one."
Final series still to air
Both Live at the Apollo and Celebrity Mastermind have one final completed series that will air before the programmes end. The BBC confirmed further cost-cutting announcements across its content divisions are expected in the coming months.
