Ten years ago, I would absolutely have agreed with that viewpoint.
But now.....the traditional model of television is dying. Viewers are moving away from the idea of tuning into a specific channel at a specific time to see a program - they're instead, in increasing numbers, streaming content at their own convenience.
And the prevalence of streaming networks hasn't led to a race to the bottom.
In fact, I'd argue the opposite has been true. We're currently in a golden age for documentary filmmakers because they've suddenly got an outlet for their work. Filmmakers of the quality of Scorsese, Cuaron, the Coen Brothers, Baumbach have all developed original work for Netflix in the past year or two (so has Michael Bay, but they can't all be winners).
Hell, a TV show of the quality of Chernobyl has been developed by HBO in association with freakin' Sky.
Seriously, if you look at the great TV shows of the 2010s......and there were many, likely more than any decade before it......how many of them did the BBC have a hand in? No more than a handful.
I loved the BBC - particularly the radio - when I was growing up, and when I was a student. But right now? I think we're getting close to a time when the country should not be taxing the population to provide state-subidised TV, but instead should be trusting the consumers to make their own choices and that they'll support quality and diversity. Because the evidence suggests that this is what is happening.......
www.independent.co.uk
