I have some thoughts, that apply equally, if differently to BBC3.
(For those that don't know, BBC3/4 are Digital Television channels available by satellite, cable or Freeview. Just over half of UK households have access to them now).
I find it frustrating that programme output doesn't start until 7pm. I find the empty hours a missed opportunity. I am not suggesting that the BBC makes special programmes especially for these channels, but I am not convinced that there is a high marginal cost involved in airing repeats.
Just take tonight's TV. As I am going to the Prom, I shall be taping Waking the Dead, the second part of what was shown last night. Therefore I won't be able to tape the second half of tonight's Prom, which is a shame. In my view, it would be good if a decent drama like Waking the Dead got a repeat the following afternoon. And, considering that the BBC is - correctly - spending considerable money on The Proms, a second showing ought to be in order.
I suppose Jimmy is relatively unusual in having a bedtime of 8pm. But far from unique. And there are plenty of intelligent people at home during the day who despair of there being any decent TV. Of course, if they were super-organised, they would tape the evening's highlights and watch the next day. But life doesn't work like that.
Quite a lot of BBC4's output is shown twice anyway - mid evening and late night. Couldn't some of it be shown in the afternoon or early evening. I know when Jimmy comes home from work, between two and four, depending on various factors, he likes to flop on the sofa, and channel surf. He'll watch the news, or maybe horse-racing or cricket, but would like a greater choice of intelligent programming.
In fact, I think that the BBC should televise every single Prom. To me it makes no sense that Tan Dun's Concerto for Water Percussion is not being televised.
