A recent self-promotion for the BBC posed the question: what has the BBC ever done for me? Now, more than ever, I find myself querying this too. In a media world fronted by streaming services, it makes sense as to why terrestrial television is on the rocks. Much to the chagrin of many, the BBC has let go of Drag Race UK, while the queer dating shows I Kissed a Girl and I Kissed a Boy — which were refreshing to see in a world of staunchly heterosexual reality shows — have been cancelled. Such drastic cuts come amidst a wave of shows and services dropped by the media giant, including the decision earlier this week to axe BBC Scotland and BBC Channel Three, in an attempt to clear up £500m.
But deep down, are the reasons behind these more than just financial? It’s certainly no coincidence that the shows offering LGBTQ+ representation are usually the first to be scrapped. Besides, if they were intent on driving the popularity of channel television back up, shows like Drag Race UK would arguably fill that quota.
We are in the midst of a crisis for LGBTQ+ rights, seen with the high number of hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community in recent years, and the UK’s recent legislation on single-sex spaces. Not to mention the recent Strictly Come Dancing scandal, in which the show blurred out actress Bethany Antonia’s t-shirt featuring the pro-transgender rights slogan, ‘Protect the Dolls’. Such blatant censorship on national television is, frankly, unacceptable. The BBC defends themselves by stating that they cannot allow slogans or political statements. However, come November, I can guarantee that the entirety of the Strictly cast will be kitted out in rhinestoned memorial poppies (indeed another heavily debated topic — how a symbol commemorating war can ever be considered apolitical baffles me entirely). While the BBC has always championed themselves to be the media service that relies on impartiality, more than ever it appears they are too afraid to receive criticism, shying away behind their desire to stay ‘neutral’, while adhering to performative tokenism that doesn’t fulfill anybody.
That we are in such a tumultuous social landscape only proves how crucial shows like Drag Race UK — which lets creativity and freedom of expression shine center stage — and queer dating shows are in order to celebrate queerness unapologetically, on channels that reach a wide audience.
In the meantime, the BBC needs to ask themselves — what are they actually doing for us? As our nation’s most reliable media channel they first and foremost have to serve their audiences.
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash.
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Censorship and callous cuts pose a crisis for LGBTQ+ representation
A recent self-promotion for the BBC posed the question: what has the BBC ever done for me? Now, more than ever, I find myself querying this too. In a media world fronted by streaming services, it makes sense as to why terrestrial television is on the rocks. Much to the chagrin of many, the BBC has let go of Drag Race UK, while the queer dating shows I Kissed a Girl and I Kissed a Boy — which were refreshing to see in a world of staunchly heterosexual reality shows — have been cancelled. Such drastic cuts come amidst a wave of shows and services dropped by the media giant, including the decision earlier this week to axe BBC Scotland and BBC Channel Three, in an attempt to clear up £500m.
But deep down, are the reasons behind these more than just financial? It’s certainly no coincidence that the shows offering LGBTQ+ representation are usually the first to be scrapped. Besides, if they were intent on driving the popularity of channel television back up, shows like Drag Race UK would arguably fill that quota.
We are in the midst of a crisis for LGBTQ+ rights, seen with the high number of hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community in recent years, and the UK’s recent legislation on single-sex spaces. Not to mention the recent Strictly Come Dancing scandal, in which the show blurred out actress Bethany Antonia’s t-shirt featuring the pro-transgender rights slogan, ‘Protect the Dolls’. Such blatant censorship on national television is, frankly, unacceptable. The BBC defends themselves by stating that they cannot allow slogans or political statements. However, come November, I can guarantee that the entirety of the Strictly cast will be kitted out in rhinestoned memorial poppies (indeed another heavily debated topic — how a symbol commemorating war can ever be considered apolitical baffles me entirely). While the BBC has always championed themselves to be the media service that relies on impartiality, more than ever it appears they are too afraid to receive criticism, shying away behind their desire to stay ‘neutral’, while adhering to performative tokenism that doesn’t fulfill anybody.
That we are in such a tumultuous social landscape only proves how crucial shows like Drag Race UK — which lets creativity and freedom of expression shine center stage — and queer dating shows are in order to celebrate queerness unapologetically, on channels that reach a wide audience.
In the meantime, the BBC needs to ask themselves — what are they actually doing for us? As our nation’s most reliable media channel they first and foremost have to serve their audiences.
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Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash.
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