The Demise of UK TV Gardens

[Garden Manager]

I dont know how many of you watch this channel or are even aware of it, but as of midnight tomorrow this sometimes good channel will be no more. UKTV in its wisdom has decided to scrap its gardening channel, full if decent gardening shows such as vintage Gardeners World, How to be a Gardener, and the many and varied Geoff Hamilton series (as well as the ubiquitous makeover shows like Ground Force and Homefront).

In its place we have 'Home', full of boring interior design and property shows plus a couple of hours of gardening makeover programmes (just to keep the gardeners happy). On the channel formerly occupied by 'Gardens' will be a 'womens lifestyle channel' called 'Really'. I for one wont be watching either channel not even for the pathetic gardening content on 'Home' (who wants to watch yet another rerun of Ground Force?).

Gardeners want gardening programmes that give advice and inspiration not how to make over your garden with an unrealistic budget in 2 days! Many of the shows on Gardens did this, now we have nothing. What with this and the BBC taking new Gardeners Worlds off air for sport left right and centre, the future of gardening on TV looks bleak. Just when people are getting into gardening and 'grow your own' again - something I can see dieing a death if there is nothing on TV to give advice.

Not that is will do any good, but I think i might have to boycott all the UKTV channels out of principle.

[Garden Manager]

[sparklebug]

i did wonder as they kept on advertising both channels yesterday.  I had a lovely day yesterday watching the late Geoff Hamilton and the Victorian Kitchen Garden.  I also won't be watching the new rubbish channels as they don't appeal to me at all

[Pesky Wabbit]

What with this and the BBC taking new Gardeners Worlds off air for sport left right and centre ...

The beeb have always done this, at least as long as I can remember. Its nothing new. Gardening is seen as minority viewing, sport has much higher viewing figures.

[Kea]

We actually pay £5 a month specifically so I can watch UKTV gardens so thank you for pointing out it's demise, my husband will be delighted to keep the extra £60 a year!

[Garden Manager]

We actually pay £5 a month specifically so I can watch UKTV gardens so thank you for pointing out it's demise, my husband will be delighted to keep the extra £60 a year!

How do you receive your channels, Sky or cable? I thought the UKTV channels were 'free' under the basic sky subscription? I almost wish we did pay extra for it, then i could cancel the payment in disgust at their actions and stop receiving their channels!

[Kea]

Sky


definitely pay extra for the package which includes all the homes and cooking stuff as well.