Skip to content

David Attenborough says BBC should prioritise arts

BBC Sir David Attenborough with iguanaBBC
The environmentalist has written and presented many wildlife series for the BBC

Sir David Attenborough has criticised the BBC, accusing it of failing to make enough arts and culture programmes.

The naturalist and broadcaster said the corporation does not prioritise these shows because they do not attract a big enough audience.

"If you're a public service broadcaster, people of all kinds should be catered for," he said.

Sir David was speaking in an interview celebrating the 95th year of Radio Times.

Sir David Attenborough with incubating swan
Sir David has presented a string of successful natural history programmes

He said that, as a public broadcaster, the BBC has a responsibility to show programmes on a range of topics.

"I don't think the BBC does enough [arts and culture]," he told the magazine. "It's not enough simply to say: 'Well, it doesn't get a big enough audience.'

"If you're a public service broadcaster, what you should be saying is: 'We will show the broad spectrum of human interest.'"

Blue Planet II, which was narrated by Sir David, was the most watched TV programme of 2017, reaching 37.6 million viewers in the UK.

The environmentalist has also written and presented such series as Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Life in Cold Blood and Zoo Quest.

In response to Sir David's comments, BBC Arts said they would "love to do even more" coverage.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The veteran broadcaster also defended the BBC, saying gaps in its arts and culture coverage were not entirely its fault.

"There are lots of gaps in the BBC's coverage now, and that's because they are harried and badgered by all sorts of people," he said.

Presentational grey line

Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected].