BBC Cancels Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo

It comes as part of cost-cutting measures

Announcing the decision, the BBC said in a statement that it was "incredibly proud" of all three "much-loved shows" but had to make "really tough choices" given its funding challenges. The move follows recent upheaval at the broadcaster as it reshapes its entertainment output.

Unfortunately, we have to make some really tough choices in light of our funding challenges, and these savings have been identified from the Entertainment genre.

Why Blankety Blank and the others were axed

Viewing figures have fallen sharply across all three. Celebrity Mastermind has dropped from an average of 4 million viewers in 2017 to 1.7 million, Blankety Blank from 5.5 million in 2021 to 2.3 million, and Live at the Apollo from around 1.3 million in 2018 to about 660,000, even with iPlayer catch-up included. The savings come as the BBC leans on newer commissions to draw viewers.

The cancellations form part of the BBC's plan to make £500 million of savings over three years, including at least £100 million in recurring annual cuts and a reduction of 100 to 150 hours of originated TV by 2027/28. Further savings are expected to be announced in the coming months.