BBC plans a shakeup of the Antiques Roadshow for social media generation: bosses hint presenter Fiona Bruce could be replaced if it looks for a new production company – and warn bosses to consider ‘risk’ when discussing it british empire
- The popular Sunday show is under a ‘high level of ‘public scrutiny’, the BBC said
- Show must be careful when handling ‘sensitive areas’, read a briefing
- BBC bosses ‘open to suggestions’ over refreshing team but keep Fiona Bruce
The BBC plans a stir from Antiques Roadshow, saying it’s “open to suggestions” to refresh the production team — as it warns producers to consider “reputation risk” when discussing Britain’s empire.
Bosses appoints a new production company to oversee the show for the first time in 43 years – hosted by Fiona Bruce.
Despite saying there was a “dedication to key series talent,” the company said it is “open to suggestions” to revamp the wider roster to ensure the “team continues to evolve in ways that support the development of the team.” reflects the breadth and diversity of the BBC audience”.
A document prepared for potential producers as part of a wider tendering process to create the show in the future says the program is under “a lot of public scrutiny” and should therefore be careful when dealing with “sensitive areas.”
The BBC is expected to keep Fiona Bruce as host, but said it was “open to suggestions” to revamp the wider roster to ensure the “team continues to evolve in a way that reflects the breadth and diversity of the BBC’s audience.” reflects’
Antiques Roadshow has previously sparked debate about how it handled items related to the British Empire.
Last year, an Oxford University academic, Dan Hicks, a professor of contemporary archaeology, suggested that the program had tried to avoid talking about the colonial history of a Mughal ring.
He accused the show of obscuring Britain’s colonial past when he discussed how the ring “find its way” into a charity shop.
The Mughal Empire controlled South Asia in the 16th and 19th centuries and at the time was the largest economy in the world until there was an Anglo-Mughal War in 1686 to 1690.
A briefing document seen by The times tells potential producers of the Sunday night show: ‘The high-profile nature of Antiques Roadshow means it’s often under a lot of public scrutiny over how it handles sensitive areas like colonial history.
“We are looking for experience in managing compliance issues and reputational risks.”
On the current show, each antique is presented with relevant social history and personal stories that reveal the origin of each item.
Over the next two years, the budget for the popular show, fronted by Fiona Bruce, would be around £5.1 million.
Last year, an Oxford University academic, Dan Hicks, a professor of contemporary archaeology, suggested that the program had tried to avoid talking about the colonial history of a Mughal ring (pictured)
According to the report, this includes 36 regular episodes costing up to £127,000. A further four specials will cost up to £135,000 to produce.
It is currently being produced by BBC Studios, the company’s commercial arm, but an outside company could instead win the tender. The successful company will also be tasked with improving the show’s social media presence.
The document says there is a “commitment to the main serial talent,” Miss Bruce, 58, as presenter. But it suggested there was potential to “strengthen” the current team of experts.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘Wherever we have relevant details on items, Antiques Roadshow experts have always researched their provenance, including the history of the British Empire, among a range of other issues. This tender sets out our existing approach to potential bidders.’