I don't mind the TV thing which seems to have been inspired mainly by the huge success of the Great British Bake Off. The covering of food packaging with the union flag, is a complete turn off to me. I understand why German supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi do it, but it's repellent.
Yeah, it's patronising having German supermarkets bleating about 'buying British', as if something being British means quality, and as if they're not replacing the word 'British' with whatever country's name they're operating in.
I just see such a thing as an appeal to conservative simpletons.
When they started in the UK there was a distinctly Germanic/continental flavour to what was on the shelves. They obviously thought that might be a problem for them longer term. The only reason we used shop at Lidl was for the continental products. We dont bother anymore.
I don't watch live broadcasts, but from what I've seen, it looks as though advertisers are riding the populism wave. Some programme makers too probably.
It's really not awash at all. The author of the article neglects to note the huge difference in the number of channels available since his earlier research. There are also endless repeats of former series now on all the extra channels.
Other than GB News and its awful use of the red white and blue!
For me it really took off in the build-up to the 2014 referendum, when a whole slew of programmes with ' british ' in their title seemingly just started up.
It’s been like this for ages. Ever since ‘A Very British Coup’ back in the 80s, lazy TV producers have used that naming format. To me, it’s a signal to ignore the programme. Anything with the word ‘British’ in the title is usually Great British Bollocks.
Observing this phenomenon from north of the border it does appear that the vision of Britain is actually England. Even your author cites “England my England” to make the point about Britain. The two are so often conflated. It certainly feels deliberate since the 2014 referendum
Also north of the border, ‘British’ or ‘UK’ was always a sign that something or someone was good/great if from anywhere other than England and if the successful person/thing was from England then they were English - the reverse was also true. If bad it was Scottish etc. or British if English
One thing noticeable about British TV is the sheer number of documentaries/dramas about WW2. Can we not have something on other major conflicts like the Cod War with Iceland
The 'Britification' happened after Indyref. Cameron government were even giving subsidies to firms to slap the Butchers Apron on everything from Teabags to TV programmes.
I have noticed it a lot on TV advertising. There was one advert (I can't remember what it was for now) which had the word "British" in it FIVE times in the 30 seconds of the advert!! Ridiculous. . . . .
I've been pointing this out for years. Also in supermarkets. As a Scot I believe it's an attempt to diminish our Scottish culture and make Scotland a part of England. Be interesting to know how much this intensified around 2014. I don't buy products with a Jack on them.
It's not just TV shows even policy - Sunday trading laws are referred to as a great British compromise even though they don't apply in Scotland. More like typical English faff.
I think they have enough scale to run significantly accurate A/B testing to determine whether it helps them make money or not. I guess there must be more jingoistic flag wavers than people like us! Nevertheless I enjoy sending some of my £ to the vendors that cater for my distaste for such jingoism!
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I loathe all this faux patriotism and flagshagging.
I just see such a thing as an appeal to conservative simpletons.
Other than GB News and its awful use of the red white and blue!
Most packages on fruit and veg in particular