A strange but interesting blend of programmes (BBC Three)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	BBC Three
Date:	05/11/09 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great mix - something for everyone

Disadvantages: Doesn't start until 7pm

BBC Three is one of the many differing channels that the BBC has to offer, with the new age of a million squillion zillion channels popping up all over the place. Whereas other channels may feature older BBC programmes, or pick popular programmes from a main channel and show them back to back, BBC Three tends to be a sort of testing ground in many ways to see if a show is successful and could make it onto the main stage of BBC 1 or 2.

Shows such as Gavin and Stacy started out on BBC Three, as did many 'cool' docu-style programmes. Starting at 7pm, it shows a nice blend of comedy and real life, with often strange documentaries mixing it with serious drama, soaps and favourite progs. For instance, viewers tonight could be treated to Doctor Who, followed by Bizarre ER, The World's Strictes Parents, before being given a quick blast of Eastenders.

It is perhaps this strange variety that gives the channel its appeal, for me. The fact that you never know exactly what you're going to get when channel hopping of an evening, knowing that you could turn to BBC Three and find something amazing that you haven't seen in ages, or you could get some twisted documentary that would make you cringe. I really like the variety it offers, and I think it's one of the channels strongest points.

However, a big bug bear of mine with it is that, although it has the capacity to show the widest and most select variety of programmes, it doesn't start until 7pm each night. I'm aware of funding costs and the fact that there are many other BBC channels running throughout the day, but I would personally prefer this one to continue running and perhaps one of the others not start until later in the day. I believe this can offer something for everyone, throughout the day and the evening, and leaving it until 7pm often means it is missed off people's early evening radar as they plan their evening's viewing.

Overall, it's a very good channel, and one definitely worth trying every now and then to see if there's something on for you. Don't be put off by it starting at 7pm, for once the progs do get going, then it's well worth checking out. I just wish they'd start it a lot sooner, and they might be surprised with a large amount of daytime interest. BBC Three is on Sky Channel 115, and I believe channel 7 on Freeview.

Summary: BBC Three: one of the most flexible BBC channels