As it faces serious problems with the audience, Blue Peter, a programme for kids should take take inspiration from the stunts presented in Top Gear, a BBC controller believes (via The Telegraph). Richard Deverell thinks that the show must reflect Top Gear's sense of danger by matching "the quality of its stunts".
The problems of the audience seem to be due to the rise of high quality family television, in particular Top Gear, but also Doctor Who and the X-Factor. This means that 50 percent or so of nine to 12 year olds had higher expectations regarding the programmes that are addressed to them.
"They see the production values, the jeopardy, the quality of the stunts and expect them to be emulated by CBBC," he said.
Therefore, Deverell highly believes that Top Gear could be like a role model for Blue Peter. As a matter of fact, the show for kids has already used some stunts from Top Gear in an effort to attract audience. The most recent example of the kind of "big visual stunt" that the children's programme needs is the scuba diving challenge that the show adopted.
"Our programmes have to be so distinctive, so amazing that they reach out and capture the imagination in a sea of choice," Deverell added.
What's more, the motoring show hosted by Jeremy Clarkson is considered as a role model for Blue Peter because Top Gear succeeds in attracting 8 million viewers on Sunday evenings. Deverell says it works because "viewers know what they're getting, but there are always elements of surprise."
So, are Top Gear's stunts what the kids really want to see in Blue Peter?
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