http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...5s-tv-licences

As the BBC'S key flagship mass appeal primetime drama serial -pretty much an anchor in the BBC ONE evening schedule -I suggest it's crucial that EastEnders remains on top form, good, strong with solid foundations.
A weakened EastEnders means a weakened BBC in my opinion.

At no point in the future can the show afford another low at the level of Kirkwood /Newman.

The shows in relatively good nick now( but not problem free) so my thread isn't prompted about major concerns with its current state.
But rather a plea to the BBC not to mess it up and drop the ball like they did in the recent past.

EastEnders has never needed more careful handling -the BBC'S enemies are circling.

The BBC isn't a benign and innocent institution. It has enemies and deservedly so. The BBC does some good drama and entertainment but it's news, current affairs and cultural output is appalling.

In many ways, I enjoy seeing the BBC "under attack". It certainly doesn't shy away from going on the attack when it suits it's agenda and institutional prejudices.

Are the plans for the new set still going ahead?

Spot on. Using a perfectly viable show like EE in some sort of political campaign is just daft. EE could survive in a much more commercially run BBC.

Really OP? The BBC and Lord Birt seem very sanguine about it at the moment.

Their responsibility for over 75s free licences doesn't start being phased in until 2018 and doesn't take full effect till 2020/21. In return the Beeb gets to start charging licence fees for online viewing from next year, gets to end their funding commitment to high speed broadband and gets paid back the money they've spent on that so far and gets the right to restart increasing the licence fee in line with inflation.

I doubt that EE has crossed the mind of anyone who matters tbh.

I'm well aware of all of the policy details but don't think for a minute that this is the end of the tory plans but rather an opening shot.

I'm not suggesting EastEnders is in danger of being axed by the way just for clarification? If people think that then my post has been misunderstood.

Don't you mean Tony Hall?

All/most of the BBC top brass were publicly sanguine for the most part initially about the 6 year BBC licence fee freeze announced in 2010 but subsequent briefings later by the BBC'S friends and allies told a different tale.

The BBC can look after itself very well indeed.

I haven't suggested EastEnders couldn't survive -not sure how you came to that particular inference? 😕

It's news output is rated as being amongst the best in the world.

I wouldn't lose any sleep op, EE will be just fine

I'm also rather worried about the BBC itself being fine too

What are it's prejudices and agenda?

It's very one sided in favor of those on the left imo.

I'm liberal thinking myself but the BBC don't show much impartiality imo

My view is that the BBC is neither really biased to the left or right but on the whole is pro establishment? i think this was most exemplified in its coverage leading up to the Scottish independence referendum last year were many felt it's coverage definitely wasn't biased to the left but to establishment.

A lot of its political presenters like Andrew Neil and Nick Robinson are tories.

Oh my goodness, do you really think that? In what way? The "news" is wall-to-wall arselicking of the royal family! I never even bother with BBC news these days, it's just establishment b8llocks.

Oh, don't look at that, here's another picture of the Duchess of Cambridge in a silly hat, bringing up her pampered children! Lap it up, you sad serfs!

I'm just surprised that anyone would think there was left bias on the news. In the creative output, maybe, because creatives tend to be more free-thinking, but not on the news.

(I'm not getting at you, btw. I just think BBC News is absolute crap.)

Agreed, the Beeb is very pro establishment IMO. I like it as an institution but they have to be careful with salaries/spending.

Just goes to show how different people view it

Bit like Enders really!

I just hope that quality drama isn't cut

ITV has always leant to the right.

No even an issue for debate. It's been admitted by the organisation itself. The only movement of late is that it has become so blatent. BBC has woken up that it is fighting for its survival certainly in terms of its funding model. That is not down to any government but simple technology advances / customer behaviour. Young people are what will break BBC as they turn elsewhere.

Oh FFS. The BBC would be fine if EE ended tomorrow. I know this is hard to get but there are bigger and better things.

By who?

By anyone with a functioning brain. What's are the alternatives?

FOX - enough said.

CNN - a shadow of it's former self.

SKY - a network that willing employs Kay Burley.

Spot on.