h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Lightman, "I do not believe Sky television would ever produce or transmit a programe like an all male cast of Richard II live" etc.

No, Sky (and ITV) are more interested in pouring out rubbish such as car chases and car crashes, camcorder bloopers, lads and lassies getting drunk and having sex in Ibiza, yet more "reality" TV shows, and another repeat episode of the Simpsons every time they get a chance. When you refine it down, this car-crash television probably appeals to a minority of viewers - the largest minority no doubt, but nevertheless a minority. And, because they are the largest minority, this is the sh*t that is served up, day in day out.

I think BBC do a better job of appealing to other groups who (surprise, surprise) have different interests in terms of what they want to watch on television. So, there are programs for gardeners, nature lovers, soap addicts, news lovers, science afficionados, children, farmers, businessmen, ethnic minorities, disabled persons, sports fans, poets and yes, theatre lovers, who might just appreciate a few hours in a month being given to a production of Shakespeare's Richard II. This is what puts the BBC in a class of its own. It appeals to the majority of people because it has something for all the minorities, and not just the largest one.

PHENOM - I share your concerns, but I think that server problems would be the least of our worries should BBCi go private.

Woodpigeon

Yesterday I was hanging about in another forum site that is commercially owned/run. The first thing that struck me was the moderation, swift and with no appeal. No sense of nutrality and seemd to generally depend on the whim of the private owners.

A commercially owned forum is one I'd leave in droves.