Bad news for Channel 4: People feel ‘negative’ about Great British Bake Off move from the BBC
Looks like GBBO's new owners are in for some bad news, the majority of people would rather not watch the show when it moves to Channel 4 at all than watch it without star judge Mary Berry.
Research by work.shop.play, which surveyed 11,000 people found 69 per cent of people believe the show won't be the same. Over half of Bake Off’s current viewers felt negatively about the programme’s move from the BBC. Nearly half (42 per cent) would rather not have ads and will record it so they can skip through it.
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Mary Berry announced this morning that she will be stepping down as one of the programme’s judges, this comes after hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins decided to quit the show earlier this month. The show’s second judge Paul Hollywood will however be staying on for three more years after the move.
Love Productions, the company behind the show, said earlier this month that it had been unable to reach a renewal agreement with the BBC after numerous talks.
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Berry explained her decision this morning in a statement saying:
“My decision to stay with the BBC is out of loyalty to them, as they have nurtured me, and the show, that was a unique and brilliant format from day one. I am just sad for the audience who may not be ready for change, I hope they understand my decision.”