Clarkson Torches ‘Declining’ BBC As Ratings Crash And Scandals Pile Up

Jeremy Clarkson has unleashed a blistering broadside at the BBC, accusing his former employer of “hitting a new low” as the corporation battles plunging ratings, public distrust and an endless conveyor belt of scandals.

Writing in The Times, the former Top Gear host said he felt “a tiny bit smug” watching the BBC struggle — not out of spite, he insisted — but because while he was once treated as the ultimate “bad boy”, the real rot was elsewhere.

Clarkson reeled off a devastating catalogue of disgrace.
From Jimmy Savile to Rolf Harris, from Huw Edwards’ child-image conviction to editorial blunders in Gaza and Panorama, Clarkson argued that what he was pilloried for now looks trivial by comparison.

He even recalled being accused of racism — including over the name of his dog — while far more serious wrongdoing went on around him.

The broadcaster, he warned, has become dominated by “right-on” groupthink, churning out low-budget daytime filler while its flagship programmes wither — and audiences quietly walk away. Christmas viewing figures were among the worst ever recorded, with millions deserting the BBC for streaming giants.

And Clarkson didn’t hold back on the content itself — taking a swipe at Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies for what he called preachy climate-change sermonising, accusing the BBC of sacrificing storytelling for ideology.

Meanwhile, Clarkson’s long-time friend and former Top Gear producer Andy Wilman blasted BBC bosses for “misunderstanding” Clarkson — and even trying to split up the presenting trio following a series of controversies. The network, Wilman claimed, tried to “Bernard Manning” the team — tarring them as beyond the pale.

Clarkson, however, says life improved “immeasurably” after he left. He now believes the BBC must either reform — or radically reshape itself to survive the streaming era. His solution? Merge UK broadcasters and build a British streaming powerhouse — a “Britflix” — capable of competing with Netflix and Disney.

Because right now, he warned, the BBC is losing both money and trust — while still insisting it is the nation’s cultural heartbeat.

The BBC, for its part, insists viewers still value its programming — pointing out it dominated the Christmas ratings table, even as the total audience collapsed.

But Clarkson’s message was unmistakable — the corporation that once defined British television is now fighting for relevance. And this time, the “bad boy” is the one doing the laughing.

Key Takeaways

1. Clarkson says BBC hypocrisy and political correctness have driven viewers away — leading to record-low ratings.

2. He contrasts his past controversies with far more serious BBC scandals involving former stars and editorial failures.

3. Clarkson calls for a merged “Britflix” streaming giant to save British broadcasting from decline.

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL

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