Drag Race co-creator fears for queer representation after BBC drops show
Summary
The BBC has decided to stop airing the UK edition of Drag Race due to financial pressures and cost-cutting plans. The show’s co-creator, Fenton Bailey, expressed concern about less representation for queer communities on TV as the program moves to a streaming service owned by its producer.Key Facts
- The BBC is cancelling Drag Race UK after the current series to save money amid a goal to cut £500 million.
- Fenton Bailey, co-creator of Drag Race, says queer culture on TV is vulnerable and more at risk after this decision.
- The show has been popular on BBC Three but overall TV viewing has declined, with some viewers moving to social media platforms.
- World of Wonder (WOW), the production company, will continue Drag Race UK on its own streaming service called WOW Presents Plus.
- Other BBC shows like Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo are also being cancelled, with over 500 job losses planned.
- The BBC said the decision was made after long talks but financial pressures forced them to make difficult choices.
- Bailey suggested that having control of the show’s future on a streaming platform might be better than relying on another broadcaster.
- Drag Race UK launched in 2019 and had run for eight seasons with three spin-offs before the BBC decision.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
