Michaela Strachan spoke out on the reasons behind axing popular BBC series Autumnwatch on Friday’s Loose Women

Michaela Strachan joined Loose Women on Friday to talk about the new series of Springwatch, which begins on Monday, but during the chat, the presenter addressed the BBC’s decision to axe the sister show Autumnwatch.

BBC viewers were outraged earlier this year when the BBC announced its plans to scrap Autumnwatch while invest more money into its sister shows Springwatch and Winterwatch.

During her appearance on Loose Women, panellist Jane Moore asked: “I’m baffled – why did they axe Autumnwatch? What was the thinking behind that?”

Michaela explained: “It’s all to do with budget and if you think what the BBC has put on this year, there’s been a lot of expense.”

“People love that show,” Jane interjected. “People love both [Springwatch and Autunwatch].”

Michaela continued: “We have to be realistic, less people are buying the licence, there is more choice of what to watch, budgets have got smaller and we the production was given a choice of either, cutting the budget on everything or getting rid of one of them.”

Autumnwatch was scrapped after 17 years ( Image:BBC/Jo Charlesworth)
The nature lover revealed she believes the production team behind Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch “made the right decision”.
“Springwatch, which starts on Monday I’m really looking forward to it, is at the heart of the ‘watches’ and it’s the season I love best because we can really get into the stories of the wildlife.”

BBC sparked outrage earlier this year when it announced it was axing Autumnwatch after 17 years.

The official statement reads: “These are challenging times financially and we need to make difficult decisions and focus our resources on content that has the highest impact. Sadly, this means that Autumnwatch will not be continuing. Instead, we are investing more money into Springwatch and Winterwatch, as they are most popular with audiences.

“We are incredibly proud of the Watches and would like to thank the presenters and production team who will continue on Springwatch when it returns in May for three weeks, and Winterwatch when it returns next year for one week, reduced from two weeks.”

Michaela Strachan’s recent appearance on Loose Women shed light on the decision to axe popular BBC series Autumnwatch. The presenter explained that it was a budgetary issue, with the BBC needing to prioritize its resources. With viewers expressing outrage over the cancellation of the show, Michaela defended the decision by emphasizing the financial constraints the network is facing.

Looking ahead, Springwatch is set to premiere soon, and Michaela expressed her excitement for the upcoming season. She believes that the production team made the right choice in focusing on Springwatch and Winterwatch, as these shows have proven to be more popular with audiences. While the decision to end Autumnwatch after 17 years may have disappointed some fans, it was a necessary move in order to ensure the overall success of the ‘watch’ series.

The BBC’s official statement regarding the cancellation of Autumnwatch highlighted the need to make difficult decisions in challenging financial times.

By investing more resources into Springwatch and Winterwatch, the network aims to deliver content that will have the highest impact on viewers. While it’s always tough to say goodbye to a beloved show, the decision to prioritize certain programs is essential for the long-term sustainability of the network.

As fans eagerly anticipate the return of Springwatch and Winterwatch, they can rest assured that the dedicated team behind these shows is committed to delivering engaging and informative content. While change can be difficult, it’s important to trust in the decisions made by the professionals behind the scenes. Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes insights as the new seasons of Springwatch and Winterwatch unfold.