[jacqui]

I think that if people read the posts, both on here, and on Autumnwatch Forums you will see that this really is a very old argument. The BBC simply cannot win. When it was on at 8pm people complained that it was too late for children (despite the fact that it was never aimed at children and they had their own show on earlier). Some said they wanted it at 6pm but then the workers complained that they wouldn't be home in time to watch etc. There will never be a suitable time that will meet everyone's needs so some people are going to have to be inconvenienced.

I'm not entirely sure that all of Springwatch/Autumnwatch's content is suitable for young children anyway, it has never, to my knowledge been targeted at a childrens audience. Surely educating young children about the wonders of nature should be a parents job, not a televisions? If 9pm is too late for your family to gather round and watch the tv and if you want to watch nature live, how about going out at 7pm and letting the children experience it first hand instead? That is what we do.

I also believe that the reason a lot of people in wildlife/conservation groups are above a certain age, is because they are generally retired and have more time to take part. My husband and I are usually the youngest in any wildlife group we join (early thirties) for this exact reason. However, I do know an awful lot of young people who are doing a lot of conservation work in their own backyards, quitely, not necessarily part of a large group.

I am not particularly keen on the sound of the new format as I think it will become "just another wildlife programme". However, I do understand why they have changed it for Autumnwatch and I will reserve judgement until I have watched the series.