Jeremy Paxman’s diary: Why must Songs of Praise chase advertiser-friendly viewers?

The most unfashionable show on television, Songs of Praise, has had a makeover. The BBC had apparently discovered that the average viewer of the show was in their mid-seventies. Quelle surprise: in the trade it is known as ‘The Resurrection Show’, because so many participants shuffle off their mortal coil before transmission. The new version was introduced by a bubbly presenter with hair dyed a fetching shade of cerise, slightly talking down to us. It ended with a cheery roomful of Salvationists and a brass band. I rather liked it, even if I had switched on wondering why publicly funded religious broadcasters were chasing the advertisers’ target demographic. Actually, I think it’s rather bold of the producers to tell us the average age of their viewers. The same ought to apply to all television programmes. Here’s my hunch: Match of the Day — mid-forties men. News at Ten — both sexes, but skewed male and slightly older. Gogglebox — thirties and forties, not entirely sober. The Only Way is Essex — mid-twenties, both sexes, but with much of their brains removed.

The couple of hundred members of the University of the Third Age whom I met this week, by contrast, seemed to have almost all their faculties, if few of the characteristics deemed so important by advertisers. But when higher education has become more business than vocation, this unsung, unglamorous organisation seems to me much closer to the spirit of what learning ought to be about. For £50 a year you can attend any course you like simply because it interests you. There is occasional talk of the U3A entering a team for University Challenge. But I’m afraid they’ve no chance on the buzzer.