IN recent days the major broadcasters have announced some of the programmes in their autumn line-up – and the first word that came to mind was disappointing.

As the cold, dark nights set in, many turn to the television for escapism this time of year.

Traditional broadcasters invest in programmes and save their best shows for now, so we should be looking forward to what they have to offer.

What strikes me though is how little originality there is.

For example the big headline of Channel 4’s line up is the new revamped Great British Bake Off.

It cost £75 million to buy the format from the BBC, and it may be a revamped series with a new team, but let’s face it is a show that is seven years old now.

Which brings me to the headline shows for the BBC and ITV – Strictly Come Dancing, I’m A Celebrity, and X Factor. There are even rumours Dancing on Ice is returning after three years off-air.

Some of these shows are nearly 20 years old now and, although I accept they are still watched by millions, viewing numbers are reducing and surely there are new ideas that could be tried out. In light of this it is no surprise younger viewers are moving away from traditional methods of watching live television.

A survey earlier this year revealed teenagers are watching a third less broadcast television on traditional sets than they were in 2010, as the shift to digital viewing and the rise of services such as Netflix and Amazon has continued.

The best shows I’ve enjoyed watching in recent years have been Game of Thrones, Westworld and Breaking Bad.

None of these were shown on the traditional big broadcasters, and were binged watched box sets.

Television has gone through a massive change in this millennium, and the traditional broadcasters will have a big problem if they keep losing the younger audience and don’t follow their lead.

Which takes me back to the point about originality.

It’s time for a shake up, for new original formats and series, and a move away from the Bake Offs and Strictly’s.

Traditional TV needs to keep up and be ambitious – or risk becoming an afterthought.