Springwatch viewers say they PREFER the lockdown format of the BBC series – because there’s less ‘contrived’ and giggly’ banter and more wildlife
- First episode of the new series of Springwatch saw presenters filmed individually close to their homes as the show adheres to lockdown rules
- Chris Packham was in the New Forest, Michaela Strachan presented from South Africa and Steve Backshall at his houseboat home on the banks of the Thames
- Many viewers concluded the social distancing format had ‘improved’ the show
- They said it meant there was less time for ‘giggly banter’ and more wildlife
With social distancing rules still firmly in place, Springwatch launched a new lockdown format last night, with presenters beaming in live from their respective homes – and many viewers said the show was better than it usually is.
The hugely popular wildlife series normally gathers its regular hosts Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke around a cosy outdoor setting but last night’s 8pm episode on BBC2 saw them presenting from close to their homes.
And it was a visual key change that some viewers said actually improved the show, saying the format made the chit-chat that they ordinarily found ‘giggly’ and ‘contrived’ impossible – meaning there was more time to focus on the wildlife in question.
Split screen! Some viewers of the latest series of Springwatch on BBC Two said the social distance rules had made the show better. Presenters Chris Packham, centre, Iolo Williams, right, and Gillian Burke, left, hosted the show from different parts of the UK
The quartet of presenters during Autumnwatch last year; new social distancing rules meant the hosts dialled in from their respective homes instead (Pictured from left: Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke)
While Michaela Strachan appeared briefly from South Africa, Gillian Burke was seen in Cornwall and Iolo Williams Zoomed in from his home in Wales, with guest presenter Steve Backshall on the banks of the Thames near the Chiltern Hills.
Chris Packham, 59, speaking from near his New Forest home, kicked off the show with an emotionally-charged intro, referencing the ‘extraordinary Spring of 2020’, saying that while everyone was having to adapt to ‘unprecedented times’, the natural world offered ‘solace’ and ‘therapy’.
Wildlife fans quickly took to social media to voice their thoughts on the new socially distanced format, and said they thought it was improved without the presenters in the same studio.
@PunkOpaque wrote: ‘@ChrisGPackham much better without the contrived bantz and laffs #springwatch’
@dicktonyboy agreed saying the different format had ‘improved’ it, writing: ‘At last!! A program whose quality improves in ‘lock down mode’ #springwatch is always good but the cut-down version is better still allowing stunning commentary free videos and a rhapsody of unalloyed joy from.’
@EltontoNick added: ‘so much better without the giggly bantz’
@chriskhickman poured praise on the show, saying: ‘Have to say #Springwatch confounded me – as good as, if not better than usual. Just the tonic.Kudos to production team and presenters.’
Better via satellite? Michaela Strachan presented from her home in South Africa while
Wildlife on Zoom! The programme showed off habitats from around the country
Last night’s episode saw a series of nine cameras honed in on nests around the country, including an empty nuthatch nest, which had fled the day before.
Guest presenter Steve Backshall reported from the edge of the Thames in the Chiltern Hills, spotting fledgling herons and talking about the ‘tranquility’ of the river as boat traffic has dipped off and allowed wildlife to prosper.
The presenter said great crested grebes that may ordinarily have had their nests disturbed by passing boats had thrived.
Other highlights from the first episode of the new series showed examples of nature enjoying less pollution and less traffic, and included Somerset harbour porpoises, goats who had wandered into a town in Wales and an otter found lounging in a front garden.