The BBC has cancelled its long-running wildlife series Winterwatch after 14 years, as part of the corporation’s latest commissioning shake-up, leaving fans devastated.
The nature programme, which first aired in 2012 as a seasonal companion to Springwatch and Autumnwatch, followed British wildlife through the coldest months of the year. It was fronted by Chris Packham and Kate Humble before Michaela Strachan took over in 2013, with Iolo Williams joining the presenting team in 2019.
BBC’s Evolving Commissioning Strategy
The cancellation follows the BBC’s announcement that a number of programmes would be dropped as part of its “evolving commissioning strategy”. Autumnwatch was axed in 2023 after 17 years, while Springwatch will return as normal in May 2027.
Although Winterwatch won’t be returning, the BBC is launching a new weekly video podcast, Naturewatch, bringing together the biggest wildlife stories across TV, iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
New Programme: Naturewatch
Announcing the new programme, Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, said: “Nature never stops – and neither should we. Every week, Naturewatch will give Springwatch fans – and all wildlife lovers – a new way to stay connected to the natural world, whether that’s on TV, iPlayer or Sounds. The BBC is committed to celebrating British nature across all our platforms, and we hope this new series will encourage audiences to fall in love with the natural world around them. By expanding the Watches brand, we are making the BBC’s brilliant Natural History content even more accessible.”
Fan Reaction
The decision has disappointed viewers, with one calling it “sad news” and another branding it “a dreadful decision”. “It’s one of the few programmes that actually adheres to the BBC principles of inform, educate and entertain,” another fan wrote.
The Watch franchise found a new audience during the Covid pandemic, when many viewers turned to the series for comfort. Speaking at the time, Packham said the natural world had offered “solace” during lockdown, while The Independent hailed the programme as “a jewel in the crown” of the BBC’s output.
“People are grieving, struggling and battling with the most tragic situations that they will ever encounter in their lives, and this series is not to take away from any of these realities,” he said. “But there is one thing that’s happened this year that’s offered solace to everyone: the power, the therapy, the existence of the natural world.”
Budget Pressures and Job Cuts
The cancellation comes as the BBC continues to reshape its schedules in response to budget pressures, with plans to cut around 550 jobs across the organisation.
