A recent Guardian feature on the BBC’s Countryfile programme reported record audience figures of 8.7 million on February 7th. This was more, it seems, that Call the Midwife even though, in Spring, the two programmes can be quite similar in content. To put this in perspective it’s is about 60% of the number who watch Eastenders on a good night.
Still, 8.7m is a big number, but does it really warrant the Guardian headline:
The explosion of countryside TV helping treat our ‘nature deficit disorder’
Is there really evidence that watching the countryside on TV results in more people getting more fresh air and exercise more of the time – and getting more in-tune with nature? If there is, we’ve not seen it. Have you?