The BBC has announced it will discontinue three familiar entertainment shows — Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo — as part of a sweeping cost-saving programme intended to deliver £500 million in reductions across the next three years.
What is changing and why
The corporation said the moves form part of previously set out proposals and that its content division must identify a minimum of £100 million in recurring annual savings. As a result, the BBC expects to reduce output by roughly 100–150 hours of originated television across genres by the end of the 2027/28 financial year.
Not all formats are being shelved entirely. The original quiz show Mastermind, fronted by Clive Myrie, will continue in its regular form. Meanwhile, both Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo have been given one final commissioned series before ending.
Viewing decline and the case for change
The BBC pointed to falls in audience numbers for the affected titles in recent years — figures that include audiences on catch-up platforms such as iPlayer. The corporation said these trends have informed the difficult editorial choices.
| Programme | Earlier audience (year given) | Most recent audience |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Mastermind | 4.0m (2017) | 1.7m |
| Blankety Blank | 5.5m (2021) | 2.3m |
| Live at the Apollo | 1.3m (2018) | 660,000 |
Broader savings and staffing impact
The entertainment cuts come against a backdrop of broader job reductions already signalled by the broadcaster. The BBC has confirmed it will cut about 550 roles across news, nations and content divisions by the start of 2027/28, a move intended to save some £160 million from operations.
Executives have said further savings across the content division will be disclosed in the coming months as they balance editorial ambition with financial realities. The corporation stressed it still plans to back UK entertainment production, particularly from independent companies of different scales.
“We will continue to commission ambitious entertainment shows and invest in distinctive UK content from a wide range of independent production companies of all sizes, as well as prioritising digital innovation that can serve fans of these shows and beyond. For example, we will shortly be announcing digital plans focused on stand-up and emerging comedy talent, ensuring we continue to support the stand-up community in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive media landscape.”
What this means for viewers and creators
Producers and performers watching the corporation’s response to mounting financial pressure will be alert to how commissioning patterns shift. The BBC’s stated intention to back digital initiatives and support stand-up talent suggests a reallocation of resources rather than a full retreat from entertainment, but the loss of familiar primetime slots will be felt across the sector.
For viewers, the axings mark the end of established appointment-to-watch television for some households and more change in a market already altered by streaming services and on-demand viewing. The BBC said it remains committed to distinctive UK content while adapting to an increasingly competitive landscape.
- Three entertainment series — Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo — have been cancelled.
- Mastermind will continue; Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo have one final series each.
- The BBC aims to save £500m over three years and to cut around 100–150 hours of originated TV by 2027/28.
As the BBC works through its next steps, the commissioning brief for entertainment looks set to change, with digital-first projects and new formats likely to be prioritised while traditional schedules are reappraised.
