I agree with Sir Patrick. The fact that there are now 100s of trash channels available is all the more reason for the BBC to do something better. They can't even claim to have a worthwhile news service.

Sam Tulis, Brighton,

I think the great astronomer , is correct in some ways.

You have to ask, why are so many women in these top jobs at the Beeb . Is it because of merit?...or because of PC discrimination to meet "quotas"?

Women in top jobs? Brilliant!! ...but by merit....Then they are equals.

As for the Beeb? The stopping of the license fee is way overdue.

N Wilson, Bourne, Lincs

women or men - it really doesn't matter. tv is usually rubbish anyway. at least the bbc has always provided good documentaries, wildlife and history programmes. these are the only ones worth watching.

oh and dragon's den, that was a terrific idea.

incidentally i met patrick moore on a train once and found him to be a little more than a cranky old man with terrible dandruff. and the sky at night isn't exactly the bbc flagship, is it?

Brian, Culiacán, Mexico

The sex of the people running the networks is irrelevant. Here in the U.S. most network executives are men, and the shows are still total garbage, geared to a female audience. I no longer watch much T.V. and certainly none of the 'popular' shows.

N.A., Oregon, U.S.A.

Thankfully there are still men able to speak their minds.

If you think that the BBC's programing is poor, the programs on US networks are so idiotic that I wonder if the decisions are being made by an entirely different species.

Brian, Los Angeles, USA/CA

I totally agree with Patrick. I don't think he is necessarily 'criticizing' women, merely expressing the view that if the BBC is dominated by women then the majority of the broadcaster's output will be suited to women. And by and large that is what has happened, i.e. schedules full of so-called talent shows, celebrity dross, cooking, home makeover, fashion, fitness (or, at least, a chance to gawp at fat people failing to lose weight).

Any programmes aimed at men's interests (science, technology, sport, cars etc) have been killed off or moved to less accessible parts of the schedule.

I stopped paying my TV licence a year ago and have never regretted it. When we move to digital-only broadcasts, I would hope that we can 'opt out' of the BBC as its output is just so dreary. Pathetic.

Alex McGregor, Plymouth, UK

Maybe it's the other way around.

Maybe the dumbing down of the BBC is discouraging men to go for the better jobs .

To be honest, I've pretty much stoppped watching TV altogether and aside from watching the odd DVD, I spend my free home-time on the internet.

At the moment I calculate my licence fee is costing me £1.50/hr.

D Walker, London, UK

I agree with Sir Patricks comment that the BBC television is controlled and run by women who put out unintelligent programs, like the soaps and new makeovers programs and cookery program. How shallow can that be?

What has happen to good documentries and good classic comedies and of course star trek, where audiences watching can use their creative minds and brains to work out logics of science programs and have creative interest. BBC programs are now very shallow, and it's like watching television in a third world countries where very limited technology is available.

How shallow can those women be, who controll the television , with mega salaries paided to show rubbish. No wonder there is so many insecure people around where they think having a new makeover will solve their insecurities and problems with their self esteem. How shallow and uneducated this programs are. Oh by the way I am a female.

sari sheeran, stockport, UK

Well said Patrick...and I'm a 42 year-old woman!
I also think eastenders is drivel and loved watching star trek, Dr Who and blake 7. Where are they now?
There are too many make-over programmes. Has only Patrick noticed??
What happened to all the wonderful British comedians? You really have to be bright (and intellectual) to produce striking comedy...Ohhh gone are the days of Tommy Cooper and Morecombe and Wise.
All the best material has leached away. Except the nature programmes...hurray
The BBC must look for superior talent and quality.
Primarily it must aim at instilling culture, knowledge, and improving viewer intellect. Not be a source of dumbing down the nation.

R. Ince, Istanbul, Turkey

I think TV is run by cynical, dull and unimaginative people and many of those in power happen to be women who have that kind of personality.

Meanwhile the BBC continues to discriminate against the many very talented older women who used to work in television. Some of whom haven't been seen on our screens for years.

I don't think the BBC has ever been as patronising as it is now. Just because someone is working class, that doesn't mean they necessarily prefer programmes that are introduced by someone who sounds as if she just finished a shift down at the local fish market.

Whatever happened to classy escapist entertainment?

Robert, Manchester,

Well said Patrick,and women sport presenters! Why? Try listening to a women commentating on golf without laughing. It's impossible.

Terry, Radstock, England

I think its a great idea to have a BBC Bloke Channel. The accents of some of those employed recently are almost unintelligible. Get rid of the PC thing and have proper English and forthright discussions. I think the recent "Robin Hood" is a case of how far PC things have become. They will give him a skirt soon.
I altogether sick and tired of lifestyle and makeovers. I think "The Bill" is another example of dumbing down the program too. I am sick of whimps.

steve, Sydney, Australia

Fantastic article. I didn't know that women run the BBC programs to this extent - but it explains why there is nothing decent on to entertain men.

It will soon be BBC Holby.

Craig, Portsmouth, UK

Look at todays BBC TV listing as evidence of his view. BBC3 is particularly attrocious.

Richard, London,

We really should be watching less TV and spending more time doing things that improve our health e.g excercising.

Selina, London, UK

Interesting comments from men (quite clearly intelligent men) who have not grasped the concept of choice, changing channel or perhaps finding something more interesting to do than to watch the 'dummed-down' television to which they so strongly object.

Morag, Bristol,

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Stone Age.

Fran, Essex, England

I agree to a degree with Sir Patrick. I don't believe that it is due to the introduction of more women, it is purely due to how lazy the channels, particularly the BBC have been in commissioning series etc.

The BBC believe that people will watch due to their reputation but are living through past glories. It will reach the stage where they lose the vast majority of viewers and will be unable to turn the situation around.

Sarah, Isle of Man,

Has anyone metnioned that Panorma has been shortened by 20 mins and is now presented in the style of a kids TV show by the annoying Jeremy Vine and shown at 8.30 simply so the ladies will watch??

What about the decision on monday when in the world snooker final with the scores at 12-10 with 2 frames of the evening session left the players were called of early, effecting the outcome of the match so that a quiz show and a COOKERY program could be shown!

Its bad enough the schedules are filled with soaps, doc-soaps, reality TV shows etc etc due to the dumbing down/feminisation of the BBC but when Panorama and the snooker get effected and the BBC will from next year no longer show any live cricket, football or boxing things have surely gone too far........ spot on Patrick....Stating facts is not sexist!

David Hamil, Edinburgh, Scotland

Sir Patrick is partially correct. The BBC has definitely been ‘dumbed down’, but I think this is in recognition of the general stupidity of the population. The people get the TV programmes as well as the government it deserves. How else would Labour have achieved three election victories ?

But why does the BBC participates in this ratings war ? They receive their licence fee, so why can’t the ‘mass audience appeal’ stuff be left to the other channels, with Big Brother and other programmes for the hard of thinking ?

I cannot help thinking that in its heyday there was only BBC1 and BBC2, and there was no daytime TV. The BBC now has more channels, and is broadcasting 24 hours a day. Quality has been forfeit in the name of quantity.

So, axe the breakfast shows, daytime TV, makeover programmes and anything with Anne Robinson. Don’t start broadcasting until 4:00pm, and cease at midnight. This way there should be enough funds and talent to produce decent programmes.

Chris Long, Thirsk, England

This claim is ridiculous! Just because some narrow minded men cannot accept that women do have their own sense of identity does not mean that everything women do is negative. It is so unbelieveable that even in this day and age in such a modern society women are still being slacked down in major positions. Women do have the ability to run successes and good programmes if they have the power to give birth to mankind! This type of programming is interesting to all types of audiences and if they are so bad then why do men partake in them? Just accept the fact that women can do just as good as men and do deserve to watch programmes that appeal to them aswell. These are the exact thoughts that do not allow equality in society.

J, leics, uk

I think he's right.. and I AM a woman. Broadcasting has become too touchyfeely knee-jerk TV blethering about feelings not facts. Big up Sir Patrick. He knows what he is talking about

J Hunter, Southampton,

Fascinating ... usually the people in charge who make the decisions are to blame when standards drop , except of course , in this case ! Even though women are in charge of seemingly every department , it can't possibly be their fault . Surely it's the rest of us who have the problem , for not wanting to watch the drivel that is currently being served .
BBC gets 30 mins of my time each week on all channels , not a very good return on the license fee !!!

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

I am afraid that I feel Patrick's arguement may be misdirected here. As mentioned by others, the quality may have gone down (and I definitely agree in that respect) but would it have been better for having men in those roles or even different women with other objectives in mind.

I personally feel agrieved at the amount of rubbish being churned out by the BBC which I have to pay for. I don't mind free channels producing rubbish as I'm not paying for that service.

In my opinion, the BBC has a limited number of options, and these really need to be established as it's objectives, upon which it gets its funding-

It can either continue as it is - churning out voluminous drivel for the most part, interspersed with the odd gem, or

It can make a stand for it's quality of broadcasting, rather than the quantity.

Do we really need 4 BBC tv channels, 2 used to be enough, shut 3 and 4 down and move the decent content back to 1 and 2?

There's more but no space left

Martin, fordingbridge,

Totally agree about 'Dr Who'.

The fact that the show seems to be no more than a vehicle for PC propaganda ruins the whole thing.

Actually, I wouldn't mind watching some decent political polemic (PC or otherwise). Such programs should be honest about their intentions, though.

Bob, Birkenhead, UK

I think alot of people are missing the point. I think what he is trying to get at is that low brow, imbysillic shows like I'm a CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE!, Big Brother, Trinny and Suzannah and rubbish like that are predominately watched by women. As women seem to watch more TV than men naturally they attempt to cater for their tastes. As to weather it is directly down to the executives is ambigous.
My mother who, in her own right, is very well educated watches all the rubbish you can imagine on TV. Having said all of this I fully support a mens channel (an educated mans channel). Well done Sir Patrick, hope to see you back on the TV soon.

Stuart Rowan, Edinburgh,

The problem is likely with public broadcasters in general, reaching for too wide an audience, paying too many government pipers with acquiescence. Let's face it. TV is a limited one-way medium in an interactive world. Boring. Targeting and blaming women is very old. Is Sir Patrick going senile?

emma h., London, UK

The dumbing down of the BBC and its programmes is nothing to do with women - these decisions are not just taken by one individual. Yes, men are involved too.
If you want to apportion blame, blame the general dumbing down of the media, particularly the way the news is edited.

The views of this decrepit old bigot are irrelevant. The BBC might be bringing out more programmes aimed at their female target audiences, but this is more to do with successfully retaining viewers than evil women in the BBC emasculating men with "Loose Women" or soaps. And men, if you want more "male" influence in the media, just have another ogle at the Sun's page 3, Zoo, Nuts, Bravo TV, Daily Sport. Or should women be complaining about those?

Ak, London,

Oh Hayley, I don't see any terrible state, better than usual actually. We should all be ashamed of ourselves?! ahh the moralising of prudent mediocrity, you'll do well as a teacher.

Adey, The North ,

I blame Thatcher

phil mann, newcastle upon tyne, uk

I read the article “The BBC is being ruined by women”. in the Times yesterday (Tuesday May 8th 2007) by Adam Sherwin

There should be more people standing up in support of Patrick Moore’s comment about the BBC being ruined by women. As a volunteer care worker in Hertfordshire I hear constant complaints from older people about the news readers and weather reporters in the early evening when most people watch the news. The women with high pitched, often nasal voices that speak so quickly it’s unintelligible.

Why are men not scheduled to read the news and report on the weather and put the women on during less viewed times. It’s not just the elderly who struggle to hear the news, I know many young people also complaining.

Joe Hayes

Joe Hayes, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire

Television viewing should really be for those people who are too old or too infirm to do much else. We are truly a nation of watchers...

GC, Harrogate, UK

I entirely agree with Sir Patrick's comments about the poor quality of TV. As your article makes clear, women are making the decisions that lead to this.

John Purdom, Southampton,

To Ceri Smith, Manchester - "I think you'll find there are hell of a lot of men responsible for the rubbish that graces our screens too" - changed 2 words and you're right. There are lots of men INVOLVED IN the rubbish but RESPONSIBILITY lies in the political correctness that determines overall strategy. Feminisation of the whole of UK society has led to a deterioration in the way our entire society operates. It shows itself not just in the abysmal quality of television but in the steady deterioration in all aspects of education, law & order, industrial relations and national policy. Its need to 'feel everyone else's pain' has resulted in the weakness in dealing with threats to the countries fabric that has allowed terrorists to embed themselves with impunity in our nation. It's no coincidence so many of the 'human rights' activists and apologists are women. They have always been prone to justify weakness by assuming everyone will behave well if you just love them enough!!!!

Bob Finbow, Haverhill, England

I would agree that television programs are 'dumbing down', and that they are becoming more female-friendly. But I doubt if this is due to error on the part of women TV executives. They can read a ratings chart as well as any man, and their job is to maximize ratings.

Maybe they've just given up on intelligent men and women (who rarely watch TV) and dumb men (who play computer games) which limits the bulk of their available audience to dumb women. So actually the current TV output is perfectly attuned to its audience. BBC producers - well done!

Dave Morgan, Kilmuir, Isle of Skye

Hit the nail on the head there Sir Patrick.

Nick, Brisbane, Australia

Could not agree more with his sentiments.

Dumbed down? its even worse than that, its just plain embarrassing to view. It makes me cringe.

Boojum, London,

Patrick Moore's opinion is a classic example of the use of false logic, of the belief that post hoc ergo propter hoc. I could similarly state that Patrick Moore was brought up with different values than we hold now as a white upperclass male, therefore his blatant, ignorant and distasteful misogyny must be a result of this. However, this false logic is proven by the number of comments agreeing with him in this article - clearly blatant, ignorant and distasteful misogyny transcends all age and race barriers.

The BBC, and in fact all TV stations, tend to common to the lowest common denominator. Women getting some equality in the workplace has nothing to do with it.

I'm disappointed that The Times article doesn't make clearer how unacceptable his views are - what would the reaction and coverage have been if Moore had stated that it were the number of ethnic minorities at the BBC that had caused a reduction in quality programming? Women - the last permissible target in a PC world!

ST, Ashton,

Hear hear, Sir Patrick, could not agree more.

Mike, London,

I agree with Sir Patrick. His comments explain something I've observed over time: the touchy/feely trend; the earnest, Arts type discussions; the soft liberal tendencies; the sentimentality; the pc; and so on. I couldn't fathom out why this was happening until I read the Sky at Night presenter's telling remarks. Now it makes sense. BBC TV's been sissified: its World Service an in house mag for upwardly mobile and well paid, bumptious corporate feminists.
Half the licence payers and viewers are blokes and we're not getting anything like a fair deal. As for my typical male self, I don't want endless football and car programmes. I do want much more science (upon which our contemporary world is founded) and factual, informative and truly objective broadcasts that are perceptive, well researched and unbiased.
The BBC continues to be good. Given its revenue, quality 's expected. But it's not as good as it should be and it's far more one-sided than it ought to be.
Improve!

Sebastian, Doha, Qatar

I love this man! he's absolutely right; there are far, far to many touchy-feely programs. If I'm watching a procedural drama (as London's Burning used to be!) I don't want it to suddenly turn into some nauseatingly goopy soap opera! Until and unless these women can figure out that, no, we do not all want to watch some soap-opera-like drivel, they should keep out of working in the upper escelons of entertainment.

And yes. I'm female.

Helen P, Reading, Berkshire

This is an interesting development and comment as it comes from supposedly progressive Britain, I thought gender related issues were a third world concern but...The channel theory seems to be way out and the most practical one. Suppose if Wimbledon were to be played across genders, the popularity might increase but quality will suffer...a lopsided view for the asthetically appreciating.

Pritam Sinha, New Delhi, India

I am disgusted by some of the things posted on here. Oh yes this country is in a terrible state, but is it women to blame as is suggested? What gender prime minister do we have?? The budget for the NHS and education is controlled by who?? And you have the cheek to blame women? I am appalled by the comments on here. It is suggested teenagers are badly behaved because of female teachers? I had far worse male teachers in my all girls school than female, who were totally incapable of controlling the class. I'm going to study Primary Education at University and become a teacher, according to the comment above, it will be my fault the country's youth is obsessed with guns and knives and killing each other, and has no respect for anyone or anything. Could it not be that the BBC is overstretched trying to provide a little of something for everybody and has lost direction? I have never heard such sexist drivel in all my life and you should all be ashamed of yourselves

Hayley, London, UK

And you haven't even mentioned Liz Cleaver, the BBC's 'Controller of Learning and Interactive' , who has deliberately run down the BBC's broadcast language programme output and the invaluable 'Learning Zone' programmes as she is obsessed with the web and 'yoof' - despite the clear evidence that many of the older viewers are not comfortable with the web or don't even own a computer!!!!

Tony Hammond, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex

BBC programming today seems to be aimed at women sitting under hairdryers with one eye on Hello magazine and the other on the TV above the mirror.

steve, sutton coldfield,

This coming from a man that used to do the voiceover on Channel 4's computer games review show 'Gamesmaster'

Mark, Sutton, Surrey

I'm a woman, and I hate soap operas, makeover shows, reality TV, property porn, & c. The problem is not gender-based, but one of programmes aiming for the lowest common denominator. Terrestrial TV seems to have abdicated all responsibility to provide universal access to work of real cultural purpose and value.

Doc M, Glasgow,

David from Hobart - perhaps there's room for the women of the UK to migrate to Australia - see how long most of the men commenting here last WITHOUT the women they find so inferior.

It's nice to see the occasional comment from men who DON'T think women are second class citizens.

Carmine, Manchester,

In order to watch the BBC in the U.S.,I have to suffer through Kathy Kay and that's something I refuse to do.She 's arrogant and ignorant and lot's of other things I loathe.Until she's replaced by a human the BBC can stay off the air.

ron, toronto,

even worse than women is the number of scots.

nicholas gordon davies, lake,

i have to say i totally agree with Sir Patrick Moore. The BBC used to be the length by which TV was measured. Now the BBC is about as welcome as BID TV or whatever the TV sales channels call themselves.

marcus saw, Horndon on the Hill, Essex

Hear hear! Sir Patrick Moore is so correct. Not only women, but provincial and uneducated accents. BBC international only seems to employ the children, usually women, of immigrant families. I certainly accept that they enliven add to the multicultural nature of the UK now (after all I am an immigrant where I live), but really are Anglo Saxon southerners such a minority these days?
Cheers –

Jeremy M Barr, Kowloon City, Hong Kong

So are people here agreeing that women are to blame? Or that the BBC's programming quality has plummeted? If it's the latter then fine - the only BBC show I ever watch is Doctor Who. I've always had a very high opinion of the UK in general. If a majority of people feel that women are second-class citizens and better off staying at home, I'm going to have to revise my opinion downwards.

David, Hobart, Australia

BBC News online 20.8.05:

"Buerk attacks women broadcasters

Newsreader Michael Buerk has said "almost all the big jobs in broadcasting are held by women" who "decide what we see and hear".

The former Nine O'Clock News presenter told the Radio Times: "Life is lived in accordance with women's rules"

Bob , London , UK

Wasn't it our friend Wilde who said that the only way to act towards
a woman was to make love to her (euphemism here), if she was
beautiful or to another if she was not? Would he have starred them
in his TV station, had he had one?

Eugene, Heidelberg, germany

When English language news is better presented and more astonishingly better enunciated by a German News channel (DW-Welle) it is time to criticize...

Pink shirted news readers who are in need of speech coaching do nothing for the image of the former pinnacle of English speaking media.

The BBC has become a second rate player & needs to be turned around before it withers completely...

Richard, Bucharest, Romania

It would appear that the TV stations, both in UK and Australia, are oriented to the female tastes. Thus there is a large number of men who shun the TV media. There must be a huge market of these men for TV stations to target,

AD, Perth, Australia

I'm a news junkie. BBC daily news, the footage from around the globe especially, is still the best compared to US or Canadian coverage. Watching CNN and real Americans is an eye-opener. BBC News online -- the most popular English-language news website, right?

Shirley Jackson, Oliver, BC, Canada

Rubbish TV is Rubbish TV whatever the content or whoever is producing it. I agree with Sir Patrick that so many of todays programmes are boring and disposable. But this is not because they are about cookery, lifestyle or celebrities wannabees - there have been some excellent shows with this content or that all science/nature/sport programmes are fascinating and well made. And of couse it is not whether or not women can make a decent programme compared to men. Rather it is cheap production values, fast turnover and a misplaced need to compete with the 'commercial' offerings of other channels which have a bigger influence. The BBC should concentrate on Quality, the licence fee gives them this luxury. Longterm this will always reap profitable returns - look at the worldwide demand for past BBC productions - i live in Shanghai and DVDs of BBC branded programmes are always in high demand and not only by expats.

Alice Mason, Shanghai, PRC

Derek in Ilinois, you are too right ! Try watching NBC's the Today Show without getting queasy. Those women have completely emasculated poor Matt Lauer. Last time I flipped across the Today Show, it was all relationship advice, cooking, fashion, shaving. I'm a woman and I'm sickened by it !

British TV is far superior. I lived in the UK for a few years, I know what we're missing here.

Carmen, Nashville,

Bad science Sir Patrick! His argument is - The BBC is worse today than it was and there are more women at the top of the BBC today therefore women are to blame. At best this is very circumstantial evidence and not worthy of a scientific mind.

The BBC is sensitive to what programmes are popular and that is what it provides. The country gets the TV it deserves and if programming is bad, then it is a sad commentary on society as a whole and not just women.

Thomas, Canmore, Alberta Canada

The BBC has indeed been dumbed down somewhat. But if you want to see a different magnitude of dumbing down, come and watch free-to-air TV in Australia. Recently a leading newspaper invited comments about Australian TV in a blog. The comments were the most vicious I have ever seen from the general public. When the total reached about 20 comments, the blog was deleted. Presumably because the owners of the TV stations own the newspapers as well. So Australia's claim to fame is this - our TV programmes are so bad, that criticism of them is censored.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia.

Absolutely brilliant

Richard, Dallas, Texas

Now Sir Patrick knows how women have suffered, through decades of male-focued media. I agree though that media in general is very gender-specific. I would also add that programs are very age-specific as well. Thank goodness for the 500 channel universe. There still isn't much on, but we should all be limiting our tv watching anyhow.

emma h., London, UK

Hmmmm---and the men at the BBC never produced "dumb" shows or display obvious stupidity? Surely that goes against the laws of nature? :)

What do they put in the beer over there?

Nancy, Glens Falls, USA NY

I don't think it is to do with gender, i believe the poor quality of programming and preponderance of reality / lifestyle / makeover junk is a lack of aspiration to make quality programmes, an obsession with 'Isshues' and an overwhelming majority of humanities / media studies / journalism / arts backgrounds in the employees. I recently met up with a producer who was making a programme about climate change who had studied politics. How can you expect such a programme to be challenging and original when the people leading it do not have the depth of knowledge to find a new angle or challenging perspective? Moreover, scientific training does generate an appreciation of rigor, evidence, precision and accuracy, which 'softer' subjects, steeped in 'opinions' and the subjective are less concerned with. This is not to say they are bad, just that a monoculture of one or the other means an absence of differing perspectives.

Gillian, Cambridge,

I used to visit Sir Patrick´s house as a young boy, and I remember with great fondness his kindness, and especially the night we saw Saturn in all its glory through the telescope in his garden (in fact I still have the moon map he gave me, along with his alien xmas cards). Being brought up by my strong-willed mother, I was, from an early age conditioned to be a male-feminist, but it didn´t last. Most women weren´t interested in feminism, nor equality, and it became clear they were far more socio-political than most men. As an engineer the women I met were more interested in management-power than designing a better jet engine or microprocessor, and I for one was very disappointed to realise that for most women, "social engineering" is far more interesting than engine-eering! I´m not for discrimination of any kind, I think its counter-productive, and it seem that the good old BBC has discrimination against men and male viewers! Long live Capitan Kirk, and god bless Patrick Moore!

Robin Colclough, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

I totally agree with Patrick. It has now got to the point where I do not even watch television. The majority of programs are so mind numbing and dumbed down it's like having to watch GMTV all day. Most programs leave you feeling empty, you come away knowing that you have not learned a thing. Being entertained through the screen in the corner of our rooms no longer happens. Fridays and Saturday nights are now filled with the sludge of karaoke mentality and "Wee look at me I can prance about because I am famous." or "Please take pity on me because I want to be a star, aren't I cute!"

Andrew D Ford, Ovingham, UK, Northumberland

It is unfortunate that in todays "free" society, some one can not give an opinion like Sir Patrick Moore without creating a storm. As long as the comment does not mention women, skin colour, or religion then it is deemed as ok. So if your a white male then lets give him a kicking because thats ok. All that Sir Patrick was commenting on was his perspective, which was that the BBC is currently controlled by women and the programming has gone down hill as a consequence, show me a counter argument??? As far as I am concerned he is right, the BBC's programming is uncreative and mind numbing, and a complete waste of my licence fee. Good on him for standing up for what he believes in, its a pity that more people both men and women don't do the same, instead of dancing around the PC brigade's handbook of what you are allowed to say.

Jim Brook, Hampshire,

I can't say whether it's because there's too many women involved or what. But I can say that I can't remember the last time I turned the TV on to watch something other than the news or a DVD and that says a lot about the state of modern TV (of any channel).

Actually I'm starting to wonder why I bother with the license fee at all.

Pete, York, UK

I agree that the BBC's output is pretty dire, so dire that we very rarely watch it.

When you compare the Beebs schedule to that of UK's Channel 5 say, you see just how bad the Beeb is. With superb programmes such as Donal Macintyre's 'Return of the Insect Tribe' about Papua New-Guineaean tribes-people seeing the Western world for the first time is just about as good as it gets. Seeing the PNG people makes you think that they are the civilised people, not us.

Or Channel 5's 'How the other Half Learns' on school children from different ends of the wealth spectrum trading places giving a real human interest to a TV audience.

Compare that to Sir Patrick's comment on 'Eastenders' and I think Sir Patrick has it right on the nail about programme quality.

Bry Barnes, Somerset, UK

If you think the BBC is bad come over to the States sometime. I have to watch whatever British television I can find because ours is about five steps below the lowest common denominator. Any decently intelligent shows we get are canceled in favor of "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?". I mean I'm sure that the BBC shows some absolute crap, just know it could be worse.

And you blokes still destroy us when it comes to comedy.

Derek F, Robinson, Illinois, US

Wait a minute... women aren't happy just ruining driving - now they've gone and ruined the BBC!?!

What next? The dinner? =D
(this is a joke!)

Ian, Lancaster, UK

Yes, Patrick - you are absolutely right - there is a load of rubbish on TV. I don't watch it either. I also think male broadcasters do the job better, have better voices and don't have to worry about hair styles and fashionably, correct clothes. For goodness sake there is more to life!
Geraldine!!!

Geraldine, Lincoln, UK

Dear Ceri Smith, Manchester

You are more guilty of sexism than Sir Partick... A typically poor argument littered with emotional outbursts and insulting assumptions... just the sort of tripe I expect to see on Eastenders - and just the reason why I no longer have a television in my home.

Well done, Ceri - you've proved the point perfectly.

Women ARE different from men.

Kiereann, Manchester, UK

As a 25-year-old woman, personally I can't stand soaps, cooking shows, quizzes, fashion shows, and mindless celebrity-ridden drivel on telly. That's why I stopped watching TV two years ago. If Sir Patrick doesn't like it he doesn't have to watch it! I totally recommend a telly-free life, especially for the smug sense of satisfaction I get when the TV licence investigator comes a-knocking at my door.

Anna, Soton,

I cetainly agree that the BBC has dumbed down and become too PC, this wouldn't be so bad if they were PC in all things they did, they still force me to pay for a license fee even though I can't receive analogue or digital TV, how can they call themselves a broadcaster, they should give 100% transmission coverage, or not charge for a service they fail to provide.

M Turner, Frome,

"The problem with the BBC is that there's too many women in charge"
"The problem with the BBC is that there's too many men in charge"
You can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time..... Why not create dual posts at the top with equal power, position and salary so we get a fair balance between men and women? The additional salaries shouldn't be noticed as it's a corporation that takes in probably £2.6bn (20m households at £130 each?) per annum and seems to waste 99.9% of that- at 5 channels with continuous 24hr broadcasting, the budget's around £75k/hr, a staggering figure considering the repeat factor.
Perhaps the way forwards is unthinkable- dispense with your TV or once the switch to digital is finally made, ask your provider to switch off the BBC reception/retain your analogue TV and refuse the license. To use Sir Patrick's analogy, most of us aren't happy being forced to pay £130p/a for a daily performance of diarrhoea in the lounge...

Pete North, manchester,

i agree with Sir Patrick Moore as a fan of Sci Fi and intelligent programmes I am appalled to see mind numbing soaps given prime objective in advertisements. Many of these shows bore me to death and i think it would be a good idea for there to be two types of television for the masses. Mr Moore may be being sexist but it is his point of view and we must respect him. How many of you are as distinguished as him? I also agree with Mr Ledbury being a student myself I see the things some teenagers get away with and I am ashamed that our once great nation has sunk so far.

Kirsty Barnett, Glenrothes, Scotland

This effect is know here as "Oprahisation ". We also have
the male equivalent...Dr Phil. Ugh.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Texas

The entertainment industry is a very competitive business, so it is ludicrous to suggest that female television executives prioritise their own tastes over that of their audience - especially when their careers depend directly on the success of their programmes.

Broadcasting companies simply produce whatever they believe will get the highest audience ratings; if the general public want trash, then that is what the BBC will provide.

Jack, Norwich,

It is a pity that Sir Patrick has wrapped his criticism up in a sexist package. I agree with him and with others who bemoan the deterioration in BBC standards and the monotonous and depressing output particularly at peak times.

I also agree that most of the interesting programmes are screened when anyone who has a job to go to next morning is probably not watching.

I quite like the idea of two channels, male and female, and would probably watch more 'male' programmes, even though I'm a girl! They would probably include more sport, technology and politics, all of which would be more interesting to me than soaps and cooking!

Dr Kate, Bristol,

I certainly agree with Sir Moore's opinion, however I believe that this is also due to a majority of BBC employees (whether female or male) being under the age of 30. If there was an equal proportion of males to females, both old and young, then maybe a more far reaching television broadcast may be found; one suitable for everyone.

Of course, a more generic television broadcast may not win the ratings battle, but this is a seperate issue entirely.

Amy, Ipswich, UK

I agree with Patrick..I've been saying exactly the same thing for years.

Andy, Warrington, Cheshire.

What is with all this "it was better in my day" rhetoric? Truth of the matter is, the BBC is not as good as it could be, sure. But that's in no way related to the fact that more women are in higher positions in the organisation, it's a total oversimplification and one that should have been left in the 1970s. Why is it just women that are to blame? I guess we're all just too weak-minded and distracted by our own femininity to make serious and quality programming. I think you'll find there are hell of a lot of men responsible for the rubbish that graces our screens too.

Patrick Moore and the rest of you sexist chauvinists should grow up.

Ceri Smith, Manchester,

And I say poppycock!

Admittedly I can't comment on soap operas as I never watch them on any channel. However, I do enjoy many other programmes (e.g. Coast). Yes, there have been changes and many of us may not like them, but it may well be that a large part of the population do appreciate the changes. This diatribe smacks of misplaced elitism (though I'm all in favour of elitism on the right occasion).

The idea that having more women in the BBC has made its output worse simply beggars belief. Even if one feels that programmes have deteriorated, as a scientist Moore should know that two events coinciding does not prove a causal relationship. (But isn't he also a climate sceptic?) Furthermore, one would hope that an organisation such as the BBC has a workforce which forms a reasonable reflection of its viewers and the society it operates in.

Incidentally, what on [insert planet of your choice] is wrong with women commanders in science fiction programmes or anywhere else?

Hans van Bemmelen, The Hague, The Netherlands

It's about time someone said this. Congratulations Sir Patrick and thanks for putting into words what so many of us think. A woman commentator on MotD? Why? Women's football, even at it's 'highest level' is no better than watching your average Sunday pub team. So why has the BBC decided that we need to see and hear more views on the game from female presenters? Terrestrial TV is awash with mind-numbingly useless cookery/Gossipy/Home Improvement cacbabble. It's like reading one of those horrible women's magazines like Now and OK.
I know my views will be seen as sexist rubbish by the 'right-on' brigade, but I've always been of the opinion that if I feel quite strongly about something, there's a good chance that a good few feel the same. It's not a battle of the sexes debate, just pure commonsense. I want good TV, as I have to pay through the nose for the privilege, and I want my male-dominated sport portrayed by the men that made it famous.
And I agree about Star Trek!!

Hal Weston, London,

Well, that's socialism for you. Bad TV, bad medicine, bad everything. A nation generally gets what it deserves. Y'all stil have free elections, don't you?

Poco

'States

Poco, Constitutional, Federal Republic

I'm fairly sure that this isn't a gender issue, but Sir Patrick is certainly right that programming on the BBC is being dumbed down to suit the lowest common denominator. This is the case with just about every other channel too. Anyone who doubts this need only take a look at the standard of the BBC's Horizon programmes 15 years ago compared to the dross it is today. Channel 4's Equinox used to be quite outstanding during the late 80s / early 90s too, but now resides in the great television schedule in the sky. Radio 4 seems to be one of the last bastions of high quality, high brow content, and I cling to the hope that this remains the case.

Tony Baillot, Stoke-on-Trent, UK

Moore's views are typical of an an elitist/anti semitic corporation such as the BBC. They are old hat and quite frankly a bunch of copy cat paracites. I just don't like them and begrudge paying a license fee for trash telly.

Paul , London, uk

i think its its not only the BBC which is taken over by the women, for good or bad, but other walks of life as well, take national health for that matter and it is very much possible that the current poor state of affairs is due to women- starting from the TOP down. i think its not possible to go back now but eventually it will lead to the final demise of all these fine institutions.

jackforjustice, Bristol, UK

I think we'd be better off having different services for Stupid People (endless soaps and gardening programmes) and the rest of us who like original dramas and quality documentaries. I'm sure that BBC2 was conceived to fulfil that role, but it's been so long since it was a 'quality channel', I've quite forgotten.

Jo, Cambridgeshire, UK

A totally accurate assessment. Let's get back to properly educated broadcaster, who speak Standard English, not the 'haitch' and dropped 't' estuary English speaker.

Paul, Holmfirth, England

It sounds rather like someone has a bad case of wanting women in the kitchen barefoot and pregnant. Perhaps Mr. Moore should find himself a way to fly back in time to the "golden days" of the boys' club.

NM, Nova Scotia, Canada

I have got to agree with Sir Patrick - the only people in our house who regularly watch BBC are my wife and daughter; there is virtually nothing worth watching for me or my son. Even BBC2 has been dumbed down in a chase for ratings, and any interesting programs exiled to the insomniacs' hours. The rest, I'd gladly flush down the loo. I'm glad he has broken the politically-correct taboo - he may well be surprised by the amount of support he has, as he speaks for many of us who don't know what we are paying a licence fee for.

Dominic Campbell, Croydon, Surrey

It's always convenient to blame a group of whom you are not a member. I expected more from Sir Patrick, whom as an Astrophysics graduate I respect in the field of his expertise and contribution to promotion of Astronomy over the many years his wonderful program has been running. However, on the issue of fair-minded unbiased criticism, he falls down.

Yes there may be women at the Beeb who have made these decisions, but I object to the causality that 'they have two X chromosomes, therefore can't pick decent programming output'.

Bad scientific methodology and only results in giving grist to the mill of snidy little men like Plato (unfortunately, not a man of vision himself) who would rather puff their own egos by denigrating half the world's human population.

A sad outcome as he has good points to make, but instead prefers to alienate women who like science, Dr Who (even pre-new series wouldn'tyaknow) or distinctly un-dumbed television.

AstroGirl, Leeds,

Soap operas are drivel, they do not teach or inform us of anything useful. Instead they provide society with bland stereo types and loose moral dilemas which if we take literaly, as so many people do, mean that viewers walk away with a belief that no matter how much gossip they spread everything will turn out rosey in the end.

It goes to show only the old have the gumption to say what the young are thinking.

sam, birmingham, midlands

I agree with Mr. Moore. I would not go as far as to say female executives have ruined the channel, but the flavor is certainly changed and proven more hostile towards men-oriented programmes. Having a channel devoted for men would attract a large portion of the viewership back.

C. Augusto Valdés, Stratford-upon-Avon,

It's certainly noticeable on Radio 4 that every other programme is a "Wimminand...." programme. More or Less is running a Wimminand maths feature on the Aunt Sally premiss that wimmin are innumerate except when counting needlework stitches, and then surprising us by claiming that wimmin can do maths after all!! Gasp of amazement from newly enlightened audience. And whenever the radio 4 editors run out of ideas they fall back on a similar Wimminand programme. Wimminand fireworks, Wimminand other wimmin, Wimminand chips..........
If wimmin in this country ever get the vote most of radio 4's output will look pretty old fashioned and silly

Sarah Evans, Beccles, UK

totaly agree,so itv must have women running the programmes as they show a lot of rubbish as well

anthony bone, christchurch, dorset

God, what an insulting load of prejudiced nonsense: what age is he by now? 95? Women may produce soaps and trash TV but they're equalled in that by men who produce mindless erotica and 24 hour sports coverage. Women also produce fantastic documentaries and investigative journalism. Maybe he needs to stop watching the patriarchal BBC and watch Channel 4 and similar left-of-centre channels.

"The good old days" - yes, when women were confined to continuity announcements and providing eye candy and got fired the minute they had a wedding ring on their finger. I wish this grumpy old generation of whingers would pass on and leave the rest of us to enjoy the improved new world of the 21st century.

MB, Edinburgh,

OOOOh Errrrrr. Patrick Moore says something not authorised by the Grauniad/BBC!!! He's quite right of course, the BBC is totally girlie these days, men aren't even allowed in sports programmes any more. And he was right about there being too many female teachers - its the reason that social discipline of teens has evaporated

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

Take a look at BBC News . How many men do you see. One morning The only male was the co presenter. Weather , Sport and the money market was all Ladys. The BBC has come a Female TV service. That is why the progame line is done so women can talk about it next morning.
Look at the world around us men working shifts turn on the TV what do they find most TV services still thinking that men are at work 9-5 .

Keith Hudson, Knowsley , UK

John reported this story on the Radio4 Today programme this morning.

A few minutes later Carolyn presented a toe curling interview with a women how had lost her child in circumstances similar to those of the recent Madeleine McCann abduction. Carolyn asked plenty of the 'how did you feel' and 'have you any advice' questions.

Would a male presenter (John for example) have even considered taking such an interview and if he did would he have wasted time with all the touchy-feely stuff. I think not!

As an aside, Carolyn's interviewee managed to denigrate both the Portuguese police and Gypsys in her replies, all without challange.

Are women ruining the BBC, you bet they are!

Aden Brill, Hereford, UK

I strongly agree more with Sir Patrick Moore. I have been in this country for over 20 years and have seen the deterioration of the BBC over this time. Before I lived in the UK, I used to live in South America and in Spain. I remember the good series that the BBC used to sell abroad. They were terrific, intelligent and beautifully produced. I used to watch them with my mother and my ants. They were a breeze of fresh air comparing to our rubbish. Nowadays, the programmers I watch here are the same as the rubbish we see anywhere in the world. I heard from my French tutor once that the rubbish television in France was copied from the BBC. What a dumb down and how patronizing they have become is sad.

In top of that we have to pay such a TV license to keep some people in their lifestyle they want to achieve at our expense. What a waste of resources.

Z. McAtee
Wilmslow, UK

Z.McAtee, Wilmslow, U.K.

The BBC is disingenuous. It's very good at letting the general public air their views on it's output - letting off steam as it were - but shows little inclination to act on those views.

It runs on the outdated and arrogant 'we know what's best for you' ethos.

John, London, UK

Why blame the people in charge when the majority of the rubbish on BBC is written by men? There is still some good stuff to watch like Extras and The Apprentice, though it is admittedly thin on the ground. I would personally prefer to read a book: a good science fiction novel.

Erin, Edinburgh,

Pity Patrick Moore loses his good point (that the BBC can no longer make programmes that anyone with any brain at all wants to watch) by indulging his prejudice against women. The dumbers-down come in all sizes, colours, and in both sexes. The tragedy of the BBC is the triumph of bland mediocrity throughout its structure. But Sir Patrick has thrown the woeful bunch in charge a lifeline by clouding the real issue. As I can only get BBC 1 and 2, and find nothing to watch on either, I am exasperated that a valid attack on the BBC is vitiated by sexism.

Robert Jones, Ventnor, Isle of Wight

It is so good to hear truth and logic from a great mind who states facts. Unfortunately these will be conveniently misinterpreted as opinions.
Sir Patrick is a breath of fresh and clean air in a world polluted in so many ways. 'A man of vision' and to date there is no gender equivalent for the same phrase. I wonder why?

Plato

platon andreas georgiades, Leopetri, cyprus

Couldn't agree more.

Speaking as a woman, I think the women in charge are capable of using their discernment but don't. For some reason, probably the ratings, they persistently fail to raise the standard of popular programmes foolishly believing that the average viewer can only cope with banal and bland copycat stuff.

They should have a duty to challenge and stimulate as well as to entertain the people who pay their wages.

TV should be exciting and should be constantly seeking new ideas, decent scriptwriters and above all the BBC should have a higher level of taste beneath which it shouldn't fall.

Barbara Holloway, Chelmsford, UK

I agree entirely with Sir Patrick. I used to be an avid fan of the BBC during my childhood days, however I find today's soap operas boring and downright depressing. I think it has influenced the entire British population into living depressive lifestyles. In other nations, where viewers don't have to suffer this rubbish, people definately seem happier in their lives.

David M, Preston, Lancs

Whilst I had not thought of the problem in this context, I certainly agree that the content of the BBC programmes has deteriorated.
The amount of soap style presentations that Sir Patrick aptly describes relate to a particular British minority with whom I would not want to associate myself.
The amount of unconditional voilence , anger and hatred is of particular concern. TV braodcasts clearly have an enormous effect on behaviour patterns.
Sadly the overall reflection does not bode well for our Country and is not the image that the BBC should be portraying.
I regard myself as a very modern thinking intelligent individual & merely state this all is not for me.
The quality of the spoken English language has deteriorated without doubt - whether or not it is female orientated I could not comment. It just seems hip to drop one's H ' s -a sorry reflection on the British.
I would like to see a Happy News programme - I have many ideas - so come on BBC lets talk about it.

Michael Handley, London, UK

The BBC has generally "dumbed-down" all of it's output and I believe that it's one of the symptoms of trying to emulate commercial channels by producing as much tat as possible to gain a bigger share of the audience, which is in itself pointless as it's not in competition with thoses channels. The BBC's remit is to inform, educate and entertain, not squabble over meaningless ratings to justify its continued autonomy and exhorbitant license fee.
The BBC had a huge reserve of talent to produce excellent programmes but over the years they've whittled it down to the junior ranks who have not had the benefit of years of experience in producing good television that doesn't rely on iffy sound quality, ludicrous camera angles and special effects to send us all blind. Add to this the appalling diction of so many of the presenters (skelingtons anyone?) plus the copy-cat news formats that have all of the glamorous presenters standing with sheaves of scruffy notes on-camera.

Martin Stevenson, Milton Keynes, UK

Patrick is a misogynist? Well I never! No wonder no one watches his telly programme anymore. But, he is right, the BBC has dumbed down, and not only that, it has got boring, very boring. Especially the news. It is painfully uninteresting watching the BBC's news teams, so I don't anymore. Channel Four and Jon Snow do it much, much better. With feeling.

I do have to agree about the soaps and makeover shows and those awful cookery shows, not to mention the heinously unpleasant reality shows. But Mr Moore should consider why this is so, not simply assume a position of male superiority (patriarchy rampant?). The reason is not women in charge, it is because our society, since the 1980's, has slowly been travelling downwards in a spiral of banality and selfish vanity.

Ah, what am I saying, it was all thanks to Margaret Thatcher! So perhaps Mr Moore is right after all, he just got the organisation wrong.

Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, England

So true Sir Patrick, in the words of the imortal Bard
"O' call back yesterday,bid time return"

Jack Williams, Newtown, Powys

This marvellous old buffer is the only one brave enough to put into words what so many feel. Unfortunately, because he is an old buffer, his comments will be easy to shoot down by the those who unthinkingly tow the PC establishment line.

JJW, London,

I'm sick of the South East Broadcasting Corporation too!

Al, Newcastle,

He's so right.
The separation of male and female TV would be brilliant

Allan, Leeds,

I have not watched a BBC channel in over two years yet I am forced to pay a tv licence. It would be nice if SKY could offer a service free of BBC channels, so I would no longer have to pay for something I don't use.

Dale Moore, Worksop, Nottinghamshire

Hahahahah what there's something on these days besides football? Aw, those poor little chauvenists.

claire james, Ruislip, UK

Surprises me I thought it was run by thr governnent like Tass was.

jackson, Billericay,

SIr Patrick's quotable quote re diahrrhoea should go down in the history books. I don't own a television and am gladdened that my instincts are proven right. It's mostly a waste of time.

Clive Hollins, Cambridge,