Linsey defends BBC repeats

The acting director of BBC Television has said “unprecedented financial pressure” will mean more repeats are likely on the pubcaster’s channels as he unveiled its Christmas slate.

Mark Linsey

Speaking for the first time since taking on the interim role after Danny Cohen’s exit last month, Mark Linsey said he would make “no apology” for the number of repeats.

The BBC is attempting to save £1.6bn (US$2.4bn), according to Linsey, including the £650m cost of providing free licences to the over-75s.

“The cuts will make the challenge even more difficult in future but we’ll always try to offer the best shows in Christmas peak time,” said Linsey, who also argued that the pubcaster’s remit to entertain is as important as its responsibility to inform and educate.

The BBC’s Christmas slate includes Red Planet Pictures drama Dickensian, as well as the return of detective shows Luther and Sherlock.

Also on the schedule is David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy, a Strictly Come Dancing special and the adaptation of best-selling Agatha Christie crime novel And Then There Were None.

BBC1 is expected to air just one repeat during the week around Christmas day, although there will be more on sibling network BBC2.

Linsey said, however, that many people “appreciate or even expect a chance to watch old favourites again,” adding that last year’s repeat of Mrs Brown’s Boys attracted five million viewers.