“BBC1 … has recently been criticised for failing to show more distinctive programming” (Report, 17 September). As a former BBC producer, I’d like to point out that the BBC frequently takes niche subjects, of interest only to a minority of the population, such as choir singing, cake baking, nerdy statistics about cars or ballroom dancing and, through the talents and skills of its production staff, turns shows on these subjects into mass market entertainment – loved not only in the UK but, in some instances, around the world too. Is John Whittingdale saying the BBC is only allowed to make unpopular programmes on subjects of minority interest? Will that make the BBC distinctive?
Nadine Grieve
London
