David Attenborough slams BBC for not showing enough arts and culture programmes

Sir David Attenborough has ­criticised the lack of BBC arts and culture shows, but insisted bosses are pressurised into ignoring them.

The naturalist and broadcaster, 92, said the corporation did not prioritise such programmes because they do not attract enough viewers.

But he argued that, as a public broadcaster, the Beeb has a duty to show a full range of topics.

He added: “I don’t think the BBC does enough arts and culture.

“It’s not enough simply to say, ‘well, it doesn’t get a big enough audience’.

“If you’re a public service broadcaster, what you should be saying is, ‘we will show the broad spectrum of human interest. People of all kinds should be catered for’.”

But he defended bosses by insisting: “There are lots of gaps in the BBC’s coverage now, in my view, and that’s because they are harried and badgered by all sorts of people.

"You can measure success not ­necessarily by the maximum size of the audience, but by the maximum width of the ­spectrum and see whether there aren’t gaps in it, and how you’re filling them.”

Sir David was talking to Radio Times, which is celebrating its 95th birthday.

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Planet Earth II

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He appears on the cover of the latest edition, 62 years after his picture first graced the front of the magazine in 1956.

Sir David also spoke of the dramatic change in ­filming technology.

He said it has made documentary-making easier and ­encouraged young producers to take it up. The star added: “The technology is so versatile, so small, anybody can make a natural history programme.

“When people say, ‘how do I become a natural history film-maker?’ the answer is, ‘do it. It couldn’t be easier’.”

Last year’s Blue Planet II, which Sir David narrated, was the most-watched TV programme of 2017, with more than 37 million British viewers.

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