Snow continues to cause chaos across Britain, with schools closed, roads choked up with slow-moving traffic and train cancellations all due to Storm Emma and the Beast from the East.
The real trouble comes, however, when the weather starts to affect what’s on the telly – with the soaps in particular struggling to maintain filming schedules.
But for many Channel 5 viewers last night, the problem was not that snow was preventing TV shows being made but that it was stopped them being aired as the broadcaster cleared a two hour slot for a live snow special.
You know when the country is on its knees – Channel 5 have managed to talk for two entire hours about snow. #BigFreezeOn5
— Andy Martindale (@AndyMartindale) March 1, 2018
Viewers hoping to catch Bargain-Loving Brits In The Sun at 8pm or Panic At 30,000 Feet: Airline Emergency at 9pm were to be disappointed as both were bumped in favour of The Big Freeze Live.
Furthermore, with the inclement weather dominating news broadcasts, many felt another two hours of rolling snow coverage was just too much to bear.
I was hoping to watch airline emergency but no channel 5 had to put a programme on what’s on the news all day snow #BigFreezeOn5
— Blue(kevin bourne) (@blue100) March 1, 2018
#totp85 on later than printed. TV obsessed with the weather that’s why. Even Channel 5 had to cancel a prior documentary and replace it with one about the #snow. #BeastFaeTheEast
— Douglas Bell (@dwbell9) March 2, 2018
I was really looking forward to watching Airline Emergency on Channel 5, only to find it’s been replaced by a Live Programme called The Big Freeze. FFS! It’s the UK, we get snow, why make such a big deal of it. #BigFreezeOn5
— Andy Ross (@andyross37) March 1, 2018
Channel 5 have cleared their schedules for a two hour special about snow. It’s a bit like The Polar Express meets The One Show.
— Chuck Thomas (@chuckthomasuk) March 1, 2018
Other viewers took a strange national pride in the unexpected programme, joking dedicating such time to the weather was particularly British.
Channel 5 have cancelled scheduled programming for a two hour show about the snow. I couldn’t feel more British. #BigFreezeOn5
— R A Y (@iamraymccormick) March 1, 2018
So hang on, Channel 5 have actually got a live programme right now about the snow? I suppose we wouldn’t be British if we didn’t. #BigFreezeOn5
— Mike Pattinson (@MikePattinson) March 1, 2018
And while some had sarcastic responses to the The Big Freeze Live even existing…
I walked to work through the snow once. Sadly no folk songs in my name but I’m still hoping for a docu-drama on channel 5.
— Jason Rungapadiachy (@umbunga) March 2, 2018
“Idea for a show… Big Freeze Live… Channel 5… two hours… talking about snow?” #BigFreezeOn5 pic.twitter.com/tFg8QqolXt
— Chuck Thomas (@chuckthomasuk) March 1, 2018
Boy thank goodness for channel 5’s 2 hour special on the winter weather were having, without it i’d have simply no idea how to stay alive…….
I just Can’t believe no where else in the entire world experience’s snow or winter like we do in the uk#SNOWMAGGEDDON pic.twitter.com/E4B0W2wQrS
— Darren Wiles (@Darren_wiles) March 1, 2018
… there were others viewers who thought it was just a downright waste of time, and they didn’t mince their words letting anyone on Twitter know it.
Channel 5 are scraping the barrel..the big freeze live!! It’s like watching snow fall
— Simon Eccleston (@SimonEcky) March 1, 2018
Only England could be so dramatic over cold weather and some snow. A TWO HOUR live special by Channel 5, which includes asking people for ‘inspiring’ stories? This is painfully bad #BigFreezeOn5
— Tom West (@TomWestNBA) March 1, 2018
Channel 5’s rolling snow coverage- aka #BigFreezeOn5 – is so utterly dire it makes Calum, Fran and Dangerous Danan look like heavyweight televisual genius.
— Jeni Harvey (@Jeniharvey) March 1, 2018
Were you watching?
#thebigfreeze #BeastFromTheEast Am i seeing right, CHANNEL 5 have got a show on about “THE BIT OF SNOW WE ARE HAVING” …. LIVE a live show about snow, “I don’t believe it” i’m off pic.twitter.com/Z5HlrB9Mok
— ROBERT ROBSON (@UK_is_ONE) March 1, 2018
Read more: Coronation Street and Emmerdale filming thrown into chaos by the snow!
Did you think a two hour live snow special was needed? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.