The show is believed to have been a victim of the corporation's Delivering Quality First initiative, which aims to cut BBC expenses by 20%.
It's certainly a blow to fans of the show. A lot of work goes into making Doctor Who, and Confidential has provided years of fascinating insight, interesting interviews, candid footage filming, and inspirational looks at how an expensive BBC show is made today. Of course, it was also very biased and would never dare criticize the show (however constructively), as it existed to tow the party-line. But I think these shows are still valuable, as they can give children and teenagers a good insight into creative endeavors; from writing, directing and acting, to make-up artistry, musical composition, computer animation, and lighting.
A BBC spokesman:
"Doctor Who Confidential has been a great show for BBC3 over the years but our priority now is to build on original British commissions, unique to the channel."I hope this won't mean DVD box-set will come without any Making Of features, which would diminish the value, but that looks likely. Hopefully some of the cast/crew will film "video diaries" that can be used to replace what we miss from a dedicated documentary team.
What's your feeling about all this? Is it a wise move to save money? Was Confidential prone to repetition after six years on-air? Do you always watch the show after new episodes have finished? Or will this spin-off's cancellation go largely unnoticed in your household?
