Clamour for popular Newtonmore-based BBC TV series The Adventure Show to be returned to screen
A head of steam is building calling on ‘football obsessed’ BBC Scotland to perform a U-turn and return the Newtonmore-produced ‘The Adventure Show’ to the screen.
Supporters of the long running series which showcases minority TV sports - but ones which have huge participation numbers - are furious with the decision by Beeb executives.
The award-winning team of Richard Else and Meg Wicks based on Old Glen Road are behind the show which has run for 19 years.
As things stand, the last show was aired in September and featured the Sprint World Orienteering Championships held in Edinburgh.
BBC Scotland has just confirmed the series will not be returning to Scottish screens blaming ‘changing audience habits and pressure on budgets’.
But fans of the show are rallying, claiming that football seems to be the only sport the channel is interested in these days.
Numbers participating in outdoor adventure are booming since the end of the Covid pandemic with the well-documented health benefits - including mental well-being - being singled out as a main reason.
Coverage by Adventure Show Productions has helped organisers bring significant income to their events including in the strath and into many rural economies.
One of Scotland’s biggest adventure race organisers is Paul McGreal of Durty Events whose events include the Aviemore Triathlon and the Dramathon, a marathon distance race along the Speyside Way starting from Glenfarclas Distillery.
He told the Strathy: “This is a significant blow to Scotland’s adventure tourism and adventure events industry.
“I am directly aware that The Adventure Show plays an incredibly important role in the event landscape of Scotland.
“What have become significant events such as The Celtman which now contributes around £1m annually to the economy of a highly rural and fragile part of the country have been supported by the programme.
“The same will be true for other organisers and providers – the positive effects are amplified in fragile communities across the country.
“The programme has inspired countless people to ‘have a go’ and become more active. There are positive stories to be told. The Adventure Show has changed lives.”
Mr McGreal continued: “The adventure sport fanbase, whether vicarious or participative, is very significant in Scotland – we are a big audience as proven by the viewing figures for the show when broadcast on BBC2 Scotland.
“Cancelling ‘our’ show makes us all invisible, we’ve been disenfranchised. The BBC is thus offering a large number of people less choice. That cannot be right.”
Newtonmore-based author and broadcaster Cameron McNeish has made regular appearances in the show including a segment which ran for several years called Wild Walks.
He said: “Outdoor activities are greatly under-represented in Scottish broadcasting particuarly considering Scotland is probably one of the great adventure capitals of the world.
“Unfortunately the powers-that-be at BBC Scotland can't see past football and if they do anything remotely concerned with the Scottish countryside it's having some C list celebrities chuntering around in a huge motorhome.
“Events like the UCI World Mountain Bike Series (at Fort William), The Celtman and the Strathpuffer will all suffer because their main source of publicity has been removed and I would certainly urge BBC Scotland to reconsider their decision.”
The production company - which used to be called Triple Echo Productions - has won around 30 awards including two Scottish BAFTAs during its time with BBC Scotland and showcased the country around the world.
A BBC Scotland spokesperson said: “Due to changing audience habits and pressure on budgets, we have taken the decision not to recommission The Adventure Show in its current format.
“Scotland’s adventure sport scene will continue to be included in other parts of our output and we are always open to hearing ideas from producers.’
Mr Else declined to comment.
Research commissioned by the Events Industry Forum showed that (pre-pandemic) Scotland’s outdoor events alone generated 52,801 full-time equivalent jobs, a total annual spend of £3.5bn and gross value added of £2.8bn.
Presenter shares the sad news
Presenter Calum Maclean has taken to social media to share his disappointment with the show’s viewers.
He said: “Sad news - from being a fan of The Adventure Show for years, I got the opportunity to work on the series with Marie (Meldrum) and the Adventure Show team this past year.
“Over the years The Adventure Show inspired many people right across Scotland - and beyond - and opened up minds to the possibility of adventure.
“It showcased some of the best athletes, stories and events.
“It made people think about what they could do, to get outdoors, challenge themselves and experience the beauty of adventure in nature.
“It became the window that showed what's happening, and encouraged people to open that window and get outdoors too.”
• Read more reaction to the show being axed here and share your views there and with the Strathy.
