BellaOnline Forums TV and Movies British Television Do you get BBC America? What do you think of it?

Do you think BBC America is good value for money? Does it show what you want to watch or is there too much 'reality' stuff? Many of the BBC shows we get in the UK are co-productions with PBS or HBO and so are shown on those stations not on BBC America. Likewise BBC Canada. I'd be interested in your opinion...

To be honest, I watch the news. There are some shows I like but many more that I don't. These days, TV does not hold my interest.

I'm not watching as much TV overall lately, really picking and choosing what I watch. I checked with BBC America and found something I wanted to watch, but haven't gotten back there since.

Previously when I have visited that channel, it seemed like it was more game shows and shows I wasn't interested in. I'll check it out today to see what's available.

Good question.

Shows such as the famous Pride and Prejudice, The Number One Ladies Detective Agency, The Office, Cranford, Bleak House, etc were all shown on the BBC in the Uk. It's a shame that BBC America is almost contaminating the brand by not showing the best stuff. I think it's the problem with the co-production shows and also I don't know if those running BBC America know what they're doing. I understand many programmes are cut down leaving out vital scenes. (I suppose to fit in the adverts which of course we don't have to worry about in the UK.)

Brilliant! Even when I'm ordering from Netflix, I go for the BBC productions first. Even though there may be a little age on the series, they're well worth watching. We wouldn't have "Masterpiece Theater" if it wasn't for the BBC.
I'm constantly amazed at the quality of the productions and the willingness of the company to put out films that aren't necessarily flattering.
There are so many favorites, I can't even name them all: "Cracker" and "Prime Suspect" (which, along with "All Creatures Great and Small" I think alerted Americans to the entertainment power from across the pond...well okay, there was "Monty Python..." to start.<G>) Then, you do have Jonathan Rhys Myers...oh my...the eighth Henry never looked that good.

I'm sure Henry looked nothing like Jonathan Rhys Myers - his main attributes were: being 6ft tall and having bright red hair!!
Watch out for the new BBC police show Wallander. It's about a Swedish detective and stars Kenneth Branagh (I loved him in Shackleton). It won best drama in the recent Baftas. Have you seen Spooks, a thriller series about spies? I think they change its name over there!! Well worth watching.

Wallander. Sounds great. Can't wait. (Off to Netflix to put it in the line-up.)

The BBC produces great work. So do the Canadians. If you ever get a chance, watch "Slings and Arrows." It's just delightful. It's about a Canadian Shakespearean theater company. Very, very well done.

Spooks. Could that show be called M-1 over here? It's pretty good, but I prefer some of the older stuff. (Showing my age?<G>) M-1 is a bit over-the-top for me. I just don't see them saving the world in an hour every week. (Now that I've said that, I'll read somewhere that it's based on a real-life model!)

Many shows are based on current events. My brothers are on news shows often now, as they are sandhogs working on Water Tunnel #3, which has Mayor Bloomberg's attention, so they show up on various talking head programs. I was a bit put-out when one of the crime dramas used two brothers in the tunnel as characters. One killed the other. The characters hit a bit too close to home. There were definitely elements of the show that were too similar.

I love the "Number One Lady's Detective Agency". Great actors and really good content. That is about all I watch on BBC America. I will have to check out other shows there. I love the British comedies on PBS. Do they show on BBC America also?

I don't think to check BBC America because it has so much extraneous stuff that I'm not interested in. I love mysteries and comedies, movies and TV shows, and would watch any of those.

Hopefully, the offerings will improve (?).

I'm fed up with BBC Canada...much as I love Gordon 'the gob' Ramsay, and even the occasional Bargain Hunt or property show, anyone watching the station would assume that this is all the UK produces...Sadly, any good stuff doesn't begin in my time zone until after 10 pm...but I've noticed...it's all repeats ! (L on Mars series 1 again...great stuff, but....)

So buck up your buying BBC Canada !