“STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have been left angered by the announcement a feature in line with the show is being axed. The BBC have announced that they will be discontinuing the show’s official blog in order to concentrate on other social media sites instead. 5 Strictly Come Dancing will be missing its blog this season”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
The BBC have announced that they will be discontinuing the show’s official blog in order to concentrate on other social media sites instead.
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Strictly Come Dancing will be missing its blog this seasonCredit: BBC
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The blog was home to casting updates and weekly dance revealsCredit: PAThe blog previously contained updates from the Strictly team, including each week’s song reveals, announcements and statements, as well as updates following each elimination.
Writing on the site yesterday, the team explained their decision, writing: “We understand that a community has built up over the years and some of you will find this disappointing.
“However, in line with changing audience behaviours a decision has been made to direct users to our social channels where there are active communities discussing the show on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.”
“The Strictly blog and its comment section will soon be closing in line with other blogs across the BBC, with content no longer being published or updated.”
“This blog will remain open for 24 hours before closing to comments permanently,” they concluded.
“Thank you for your contributions over the years, and we hope that you join us on our social channels.”
Their official X (formerly Twitter) page also hasn’t been updated since last year’s cast announcement.
Taking to the comments section in the final 24 hours, fans raged at the decision and the loss of the community they’ve built in the meantime.
“I don’t know whether I’m more upset or angry that the BBC has decided to close this blog,” one fan wrote. “I really don’t think that I will be as invested in the show, although I will still watch it.
Noting they “loved the banter and online parties” the commenter added: “It was particularly good for those who had no-one else to discuss it with.
“Shame on you, BBC. We don’t all use social media and even if we did I don’t think it would replace our blog family.”
“I remain baffled by this decision and in particular the comment ‘the changing audience behaviour’,” noted another.
“This suggests a lack of numbers contributing to the blog. Yet on 30/09/23 there were 1644 comments, on 28/10/23 there were 2175 comments and on 25/11/23 , 2496 comments this hardly suggests a lack of traffic through the blog.
“There is much more to this than the beeb is prepared to say….or admit to.”
While a third wrote: “I am full of questions about this and the timing. It feels like ‘death by a thousand cuts’ and smacks of a disregard for those who have chosen for years to use the blog.
“They seem to have no idea about how much the show is loved, and the additional pleasure the blog gives to those of us invested in the show.
“I don’t use social media in any(other) form besides this…and I don’t want to. Blind panic and short sighted in this matter, springs to mind!
“The pennies have been counted, but the cost will be far more. Ridiculous decision.”
“I have just sent a complaint to the BBC and hope that others will also do so,” noted a fourth, adding, “Not that I expect it will do any good but they should at least know the strength of feeling about this.”
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The blog was a favourite for older viewers without social mediaCredit: PA
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Fans accused the BBC of ‘penny-saving’ by discontinuing the blogCredit: BBC
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Fans used the service to discuss each week’s routines and share thoughts on the showCredit: PA