If the BBC axes Sue Barker I hope they shoot themselves in the foot.

"the coveted 16-to-34 demographic" - why is it coveted? I would guess there are more people outside that age range.

I never watch this programme, but do admire her coverage of Wimbledon - always slick, professional and good mannered.

Slightly worried by the statement in the article that the Beeb have an agreement with ministers to put more programmes out to tender - hmm.

Er, the 16-to-34 year olds that are so coveted as viewers, are out on a Friday night, not sitting at home watching quiz shows!

I had read of the impending change to QOS a while ago. In some ways I am not surprised as it does seem to have gone downhill. The two current captains can be very irritating and it has become very blokey. We both used to watch regularly but rarely bother now.
The percentage of older viewers did surprise me, I had thought they had dumbed down the programme already to appeal to younger viewers.
I do agree that Sue Barker has been a good presenter, used to love the way she drooled every time she mentioned David Ginola's name.
Who knows if a re-vamped QOS will be a success, the BBC appear to know best.

Another example of discrimination against older women on TV.

John Humphreys at 70+ seems to not suffer any age discrimination at all.

I've not watched for a long time as it seemed to have dumbed down and got very silly, but I think Sue Barker is brilliant presenting it. Alima do you remember the time they got David Ginola to wish her a happy birthday? Not sure she ever recovered from that one

It will be dumbed down even more if they're hoping to attract a much younger audience. Remember when Countryfile was re-vamped? Giving it an early evening slot on Sundays was a good move but Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury (Bradders and BakerBoy) were so noisy and childish they almost ruined it. Fortunately the complaints had an effect and Matt Baker has calmed down a lot.

We all love QOS in this house. Tuffers can be irritating but Sue is great. There are many LOL moments.
It may not be what some people want from a quiz show but it works for us.

And us nina not very much else on the t.v. appeals to us these days, but that is one programme we really look forward to. Of course there is a lot of fooling around, that's men! but there is also a lot of knowledge there. Sue Barker does a marvellous job, and and loves a laugh, sometimes at her own expense.

I watch the programme every now and again and think Sue Barker does a good job.

I sometimes wonder if the marketing profession feels it has to interest the younger group because the older one dies off. If so, it's a bit one-eyed as it fails to recognise that we migrate as we mature. Edgy comedy that appealed to me once now lacks appeal if it trades wit for bad language.

If I look at Bridge players, many are 'mature'. A worry is that Bridge may die with its ageing membership but I suspect many, like me, take it up later in life so there is a 'mature' flow in and out.

Perhaps marketing men (and women) should up their attempts to recruit viewers and members from the current interested age group rather than constantly try to interest the young.

I'm enjoying catching up on the programmes first shown in the 70s that I missed when I was out. I was in that 'coveted' demographic then! I bet those youngsters won't be sitting around watching TV on Friday nights any more than I used to be. Lots of catch up TV these days though. Whatever happened to 'chasing the grey pound?'

They have a daft idea that older presenters no longer appeal to the young. If that's the case, how come David Attenborough and Mary Berry attract so many younger viewers?

The Beeb can't expect the young to accept their idea of 'cool'. They'll decide for themselves.

I think they will shoot themselves in the foot and I hope it hurts.
They just don't learn do they?

I watch QOS from time to time; the team captains can be OTT but Sue keeps them in order and still maintains a great sense of fun.

I doubt that many 16-34 year olds will watch anyway whatever the format; too busy playing sport themselves and on social media to watch much tv.