Life Class: Today’s Nude was the programme that attracted the most appreciative comments from Channel 4 viewers last month, while Big Brother generated the most complaints. With the exception of BB10 (which inevitably dominates viewer contacts throughout the summer), 8 Out of 10 Cats received the most criticism from viewers due to comments made during the show about Michael Jackson’s death.
Channel 4’s viewer enquiries team handled a total of 14,386 contacts (phone calls and emails) from viewers in July. Each query was logged and the appropriate people at Channel 4 notified. Of these contacts, 2,574 criticised the channel and its shows, while 301 complimented the programmes broadcast.
Big Brother attracted 1,565 complaints and 30 appreciative comments last month.
Top 10 programmes most appreciated by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in July 2009, excluding Big Brother (quote is an example of viewer comment):
- Life Class: Today’s Nude (32 comments)
Congratulations on having the common sense to be able to show non-sexual nudity in an artistic sense, without falling for the usual seaside postcard sniggering the British media usually attach to it. An excellent programme, sensitively handled – well done. - How the Other Half Live (23)
Wow, I have just finished watching what has to be the most touching programme I have seen for a very long time. How wonderful that people with money are willing to give up their time and part with their money to help families in need, especially such a lovely family as in tonight’s programme… I never cry when watching TV but I cried along with the girls when they were told their rooms would be done up for them!! - Inside Nature’s Giants (14)
Thank you for this show. It is truly awe-inspiring. While it is sad that these animals have died, at least some good comes from it in the discovery of what caused their deaths and in furthering our appreciation of these incredible creatures. - Revelations: Commando Chaplains (11)
I found it extremely moving and the padres going through the training and being there for our boys… to be able to have a chat made them feel better. As a Christian I found it so moving… So thank-you. - Gerry’s Big Decision (8)
As a Sloan Fellow of the London Business School, I found this an excellent series. Not only was his analysis of the business issues most interesting, but his consideration of the psychological factors added an extra dimension. I hope there will be further series of this great programme!!! - True Stories: Taking Liberties (7)
I would like to thank you and congratulate you for showing this courageous documentary. Until today I believed that such critical information could only be found on the internet. Seeing this on national TV restored my faith at least a little into British news reporting. Shame though that you chose such a rather late slot, when most working citizens were already asleep! Please continue your good work! - Dispatches: Terror in Mumbai (5)
Just wanted to say the Dispatches programme on the terrorist attacks in Mumbai is one of the best documentaries I’ve seen in a very long time….even by Dispatches standards. Factual and impartial comment on such a difficult topic must be extremely difficult, but was managed superbly by the commentary and flow of the piece. Brilliant journalism – deserves to win every ‘best documentary’ TV award. Thank you for a superb piece of journalism. - Teenagers Fighting Cancer (5)
Thank you for showing this documentary, which will help to raise awareness of Primary Bone Cancer – a disease mainly of teenagers and young adults. My son died of this disease in April 2007. If we, his parents, had ever heard of it he may have had a chance. Late diagnosis is one of the many reasons why survival rates are not better. The Bone Cancer Research Trust is promoting research into diagnosis and treatment as well as trying to raise awareness but getting coverage on mainstream prime time TV is a very necessary part of getting the information to the general public. - You Have Been Watching (5)
This is the best and funniest thing on television at the moment. I’m only commenting because I’m pretty sure a lot of people without a sense of humour will hate it – especially if they read the Daily Mail. - Farrah’s Story (5)
Well done Channel 4. Yet again another well documented programme on how cancer affects the lives of everyday people including celebrities like Farrah Fawcett. Although it was very sad to see, it showed her strength and determination. It was bittersweet and inspirational as well as thought provoking. Again C4, well done. Keep the good stuff coming…
Top 10 programmes most criticised by people who contacted Viewer Enquiries in July 2009, excluding Big Brother (quote is an example of viewer comment):
- 8 Out of 10 Cats (114 contacts)
The content included jokes about Michael Jackson’s death which I feel were in extremely poor taste. The content was not funny and I am sure that this will have upset many viewers as well as me. How can your channel justify guests on this programme stooping to such lows? - Michael Jackson’s Last Days: What Really Happened? (65)
I am just dismayed that you approved this documentary by gossipy, misinformed Peretti. Did he honestly think he was giving us some new insight? Overall the documentary was patronising, ignorant and just unacceptable, with Peretti’s sing-song delivery actually making my blood boil as I watched… - Life Class: Today’s Nude (56)
I’m very unimpressed by having a nude just sitting there in the middle of the day. This means children of any age, turning over channels looking for a cartoon or Postman Pat are being subjected to a naked person. Do you think this appropriate for lunch time? I certainly don’t! - You Have Been Watching (46)
Generally unfunny. Who is the presenter, and the panellists, save Boyle? The reliance on swear words was unfortunate. Not a case for winning part of the license fee. - The Home Show (36)
I think this programme was an abuse of the people’s money… There were obvious overspends in areas that were for show and not of practical use to the family, I really felt for the people this week and feel that the programme has really let them down… - The Scandalous Adventures of Lord Byron (24)
I appreciate that this programme was broadcast after 9pm but the content was unnecessarily sexually explicit for a programme that could have been used for educational purposes and family viewing. It was more suitable to a porn channel and should have been edited. What a disappointment for an interesting subject. Byron deserved better. - The TNT Show (23)
I am absolutely disgusted that The TNT show made very harsh and rude gags about Michael Jackson; it’s absolutely outrageous that you can speak of the dead in such a way… I’m horrified; do you have no respect for the dead? - Alan Carr: Chatty Man (23)
I watched this programme and was disgusted. If this is what Channel 4 call entertainment, the bosses want shooting. This man Carr has no talent whatsoever, he is crude and rude and you shouldn’t give him air time, there are plenty of comedian’s out there who would provide humour not coarseness to the extreme. I certainly will not be tuning in to Channel4 again if this is what you want to televise. - Inside Nature’s Giants (21)
I am both offended and disgusted at the display of amazing creatures being butchered on television. This isn’t on the programme that I would never watch, it is actually during almost every commercial break. It is an absolute outrage that this is forced upon the viewing public. This shouldn’t be on the television and I have a very very strong complaint to make. It is one thing you displaying this as a documentary but it is totally unacceptable for you to put such graphic detail on during daytime television. - Embarrassing Bodies (13)
How is it that Channel 4 can show such disgusting things before the watershed? I really feel that this kind of programme should only be shown after 10pm. How awful for some of the participants’ children, grandchildren and other relatives to see their Grandfather’s disgusting infected red penis and hear about his sex life. I am appalled.
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Rather than just brushing aside the Big Brother complaints can you actually give a breakdown of what the complaints are about (and the same for last month), considering BB gets more complaints than all of C4’s other shows put together.
Less of a factor this month I’m sure, but we know earlier in the series there were a significant number of complaints about the loss of the live feed (which if anything, are messages of support for the programme – just complaints about how it’s being treated), so it would be good if C4 were as open and honest about these complaints as you are about the rest.
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