BBC America Cancels 'The Early Years

BETHESDA, MD-BBC America, the three-year-old satellite/digital cable channel based here, adjusted its programming schedule in June, resulting in the cancellation of the early EastEnders episodes that accompanied the newer episodes, which are only a month behind the U.K.’s shows. (The U.S. public TV episodes are as far as three years behind the U.K.)

A BBC America spokeswoman told the Walford Gazette that the move is not a precursor to cancelling the series outright. 'EastEnders is a very important part of the schedule. It’s one of our key shows,' she said, noting that the network will continue to air a two-hour 'Omnibus' of EastEnders Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. (EST). Asked why The Early Years have been removed, she said: viewers have been 'more interested what’s going to happen rather than what used to happen.'

The spokeswoman also noted that in August an extra half hour will be shown to reflect the new four nights a week broadcast in the U.K. New episodes had been on BBC America twice a day (morning and afternoon), three days a week followed by a Saturday morning Omnibus. Besides the new Sunday block, an EastEnders block now also runs Fridays at 3 p.m. (EST).

Viewers may voice their displeasure over The Early Years’ cancellation by calling BBC America at

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