wild move
Beloved BBC show axed after 17 years in latest shake-up – leaving fans gutted
A BELOVED wildlife show has been axed by the BBC after 17 years in the latest programming shake up.
The world of TV is being hit by a barrage of cancellations, both on terrestrial and streaming services.
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Now the BBC has cancelled seasonal wildlife programme Autumnwatch in a bid to “focus our resources on content that has the highest impact”.
A statement from the broadcaster said: "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."
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The news comes just a week after Autumnwatch presenter Chris Packham cancelled all his TV work after suffering from "burn out".
Chris, who hosts Autumnwatch alongside its over iterations with Michaela Strachan, said he felt like he was "constantly running on a treadmill".
"I'm not going to buy a Ferrari and run off with a 20-year-old,' he told," .
"I've never taken three months off work. Never.
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"I can barely sleep I am so excited. I might have to ban [partner] Charlotte from the studios."
Chris revealed that he'll be using his well-deserved break to embark on a surprising new career.
He added: "I don't want any interference or disruption, I want to get on with it. It will be good to clear my head and focus on something completely different."
Meanwhile fans of Autumnwatch were devastated by the news of its axing.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: "Awful decision. The seasonal watches with @ChrisGPackham and @michaelastracha
are one of the few good programmes the BBC make. And Daisy cat loves it!#Autumnwatch."
Another added: "This is such a shame", while a third branded the BBC "idiots".
Meanwhile a fourth raged: "So any programme where the viewer may actually learn and discover isn't worth showing above all the other s***e it broadcasts??"
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