Autumnwatch fans were fuming as a 10-minute instalment of the programme was “crowbarred” into . The series featuring started life as a spin-off of Springwatch but became popular in its own right. However, last year the BBC cut the series for financial reasons.
Autumnwatch is now back with a series of segments on The One Show, but as wildlife presenter and conservationist Packham explored a wood on the episode on Tuesday, 29 October, fans said it just wasn’t enough. Autumnwatch had been on air for 17 years when the BBC axed it, saying: “These are challenging times financially and we need to make difficult decisions and focus our resources on content that has the highest impact.” Fans were gutted to see it go, and bosses later confirmed that it would be back by popular demand, with special segments on The One Show from 29 to 31 October.
“Autumn is one of the most magical phases in our seasonal calendar,” Packham said when the news was announced. “It may feel like things are shutting down but far from it. It’s a time for nature to recycle and prepare.
Those rich autumn colours are a sign of nature at its very best and I’m excited to be telling the stories of the season in one of my favourite woodlands in the UK.” However, viewers were not happy when the first instalment aired, saying they wished Autumnwatch could return as a full series. One : "Wow, is that all we get? 5 mins of Autumnwatch via The One Show, completely pointless.
Might as well not of bother.