…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
The new series of Britain’s Got Talent aired on ITV on Saturday, April 15, and featured a range of talent acts competing to win the show.
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly returned as the hosting duo, while Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Bruno Tonioli took their places in the judge’s chairs.
However, minutes into the first episode, viewers made their frustration known as many complained about the editing.
Viewers Unhappy with Editing
Many viewers felt that the acts did not have enough air time and complained about the editing of the show. Some argued that there were too many slowed-down shots and that the show focused too much on the audience, judges, and hosts.
Others complained that the show was over-staged and that the reactions seemed set up.
Decline in Viewership
The frustrations of the first round of pre-recorded shows seemed to have started to slump, with an average of 5.5 million viewers tuning in to the 16th series.
The total peak of the premiere was 6.2 million, a big difference from the year before, which saw an average of 6.1 million and a peak of 7.2 million.
Bruno Tonioli’s Debut
Saturday night’s launch saw Bruno Tonioli make his debut on the show after David Walliams was axed from the line-up.
Bruno gave the first golden buzzer of the series to a dance group from Uganda, which will see the act go straight through to the live semi-final.
Despite accidentally pressing the buzzer too early, Bruno praised the group’s performance and encouraged them to be proud of themselves.
Commentary
The complaints about the editing of Britain’s Got Talent reflect the challenges that TV producers face in keeping audiences engaged.
With so many entertainment options available to viewers, it is increasingly important to create content that captures their attention.
The decline in viewership for the show is also noteworthy, as it suggests that the show’s appeal may be waning.
On a positive note, Bruno Tonioli’s debut on the show was well-received, and his decision to give the first golden buzzer to a dance group from Uganda was a highlight of the first episode.
It remains to be seen whether the show can continue to capture viewers’ attention in the coming weeks.