BBC axes Chris Packham's Winterwatch after 14 years
The BBC Winterwatch series has been cancelled after 14 years on BBC Two, ending the Chris Packham-fronted winter wildlife favourite as part of the broadcaster's evolving commissioning strategy. It will be replaced by Naturewatch, a weekly video podcast launching in autumn, while Springwatch is scheduled to return in May 2027 for three weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Winterwatch ends after 14 years as a BBC Two staple since its 2012 launch as a Springwatch spin-off.
- Naturewatch, a weekly video podcast for BBC Two, iPlayer and BBC Sounds, will cover wildlife year-round from autumn.
- Presenters Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams will continue on Springwatch when it returns in May 2027.
- Former Springwatch producer Stephen Moss called the axe probably inevitable after Autumnwatch ended and wider BBC cuts.
- Viewers have reacted with sadness online, calling the decision sad news and a dreadful decision.
Why did the BBC cancel Winterwatch?
The BBC confirmed on 2 July 202 if Winterwatch will not continue, citing funding challenges and an evolving commissioning strategy. A spokesperson told Radio Times that difficult choices were required and that, by better serving audiences through multi-platform content, Winterwatch would not return.
Jack Bootle, head of commissioning for specialist factual, said Naturewatch would give wildlife lovers a new way to stay connected on TV, iPlayer and Sounds. The move follows Autumnwatch ending as a standalone series in 2023 after a 17-year run, a pattern former producer Stephen Moss said made Winterwatch's cancellation feel inevitable.
What was Winterwatch and who presented it?
Winterwatch launched in 2012 as a spin-off to Springwatch and Autumnwatch, exploring how British wildlife survives the colder months of January and February. Chris Packham and Kate Humble originally fronted the show; Michaela Strachan replaced Humble in 2013, and Iolo Williams joined in 2019.
The series became a cosy winter fixture, using live footage and thermal cameras to follow UK species through harsh conditions. Packham said earlier this year that the unpredictability of live programmes was part of what kept audiences coming back. The Independent previously called it a jewel in the BBC's programming crown.
How have viewers and insiders reacted?
Viewers have been left heartbroken by the decision. On social media, fans called it sad news and a dreadful decision, with one arguing Winterwatch was among the few programmes that truly informed, educated and entertained.
Stephen Moss, who launched Springwatch in 2005, told Radio Times he felt the cancellation was probably inevitable given Autumnwatch's end and ongoing BBC cuts, though he called it a pity. The broadcaster earlier announced schedule changes linked to budget pressures, including 550 job losses across TV and radio.
What happens to Springwatch and the Watches brand?
Springwatch will continue and is due back in May 2027 for a three-week run, with Packham, Strachan and Williams expected to remain involved. Naturewatch will run through all four seasons, championing the biggest British nature stories each week with guest experts.
The shift from live seasonal broadcasts to a year-round podcast format marks a broader change for one of the BBC's most loved natural-history brands. For more on high-profile cases and public fallout, see our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries coverage.