Although BBC Four has been lauded for its dedication to more esoteric content and artforms, since the channel was introduced there has concern for the range and depth of arts content on the BBC’s terrestrial services – BBC One and BBC Two. As journalist Stuart Jeffries warned at the launch of the new channel: ‘We shouldn’t let great art disappear into BBC Four’s cultural ghetto and let the mainstream be dominated by Carol Smillie’s mirthless smile’ (2002). This paper examines the impact BBC Four has had on the BBC’s mainstream arts provision as part of a broader shift in the BBC’s provision from a Reithian mixed schedule of programming to specialist digital services for niche audiences.
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