After 17 years of breathtaking footage documenting the changes in British wildlife
across four days in Autumn, the BBC's popular wildlife programme Autumnwatch has been cancelled.
The long-running show – hosted by Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Gillian Burke – first aired back in 2006 as a one-off special following the success of parent show Springwatch, before earning its own series.
While the cancellation has sparked outrage among fans, the BBC stated that viewing numbers just haven't been up to scratch. As a result, it plans to invest more money into its sister shows, Springwatch and Winterwatch, which are more "popular with audiences".
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."
All three of the Watches have seen ratings decline in recent years, but Autumnwatch has admittedly suffered the most. Its final season premiered in October with 1.4 million viewers, but that figure dropped to 1 million as the series progressed.
Meanwhile, the most recent Winterwatch premiered in January with 1.9 million viewers, down from 2.4 million the previous year. Springwatch's viewership dropped from 2.4 million in 2021 to 2 million the following year.
Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner also commented on the cancellation and said there have been "been concerns about Autumnwatch's unrealistic and anthropomorphic approach for many years," adding: "It won't be missed in the countryside."
Long-time fans, however, held a much different tune.
Following the news, they took to social media in their swarms to voice their outrage, with one tweeting: "BBC cancels Autumnwatch to focus on shows with "highest impact". Absolutely disgraceful decision in one of [the] most nature-depleted countries in [the] world."
Another wrote: "Come on @BBC! Why on earth cancel #Autumnwatch! It's a vital show to help people to connect with nature in what is a very nature-impoverished country!"
Responding to the uproar and outpouring of love for the show, Michaela Strachan released her own statement on Twitter, saying: "I've been overwhelmed at all the comments about #autumnwatch and the BBC's decision to axe it this year.
"Goes to show how treasured the Watches are. Of course it's disappointing, but let's focus on the positives, @BBCSpringwatch is not far away and we'll work hard to make it a corker."
Rebecca Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, also tweeted: "Really so sorry to see this decision @bbc @Natures_Voice. The 'watches' are a fantastic way of engaging and growing knowledge about the natural world – just when we need it most. Tough times for the natural world too."
But there may still be some life in Autumnwatch yet thanks to the determination of its loyal fanbase. A Change.org petition calling for the programme to be saved has already reached over 97,000 signatures and counting.
More realistically, though, it seems Autumnwatch is now a thing of the past. This wouldn't be the first time a petition to save a cancelled BBC show has been started up – just ask fans of Holby City and Flog It!, for example. But, in both cases, the Beeb stood firm, and no amount of fan outrage could sway them.
Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch are all available to stream via BBC iPlayer.
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Content Production Intern, Digital Spy
After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022. In this role, Iona writes across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. During her time at Digital Spy, she has interviewed multiple Love Island stars, reported from the Black Adam red carpet and, most recently, interviewed the cast of Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid.
