BBC Destination X sparks mass ‘switch off’ minutes into premiere as viewers slam key feature: ‘What did I just watch?!’
BBC’s ambitious new reality programme Destination X has encountered significant viewer backlash following its Wednesday evening debut, despite the broadcaster’s substantial investment in the production.
The competitive series, which involved a crew of 190 people undertaking an 11,000-kilometre journey across Europe over 32 days, required nearly 7,000 hotel room bookings according to producers.
Audiences took to social media within minutes of the programme starting, expressing disappointment with the show’s execution.
Multiple viewers described the opening scenes as unconvincing, with complaints flooding Twitter about the programme’s authenticity.
The scale of the production budget remains undisclosed by the BBC, though the show represents a co-production with American broadcaster NBC.
Critics have questioned whether the extensive resources have translated into compelling television viewing.
The programme features comedian Rob Brydon as host, guiding contestants through a mystery journey across Europe aboard a coach with opaque windows.
Participants must determine their location through various challenges and clues whilst being deliberately disoriented.
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“I suppose the most gripping thing is seeing how the players respond to the pressure that they are under and watching players’ relationships develop,” Brydon explained about the series. The presenter noted that whilst contestants begin with a team mentality, “things evolve” as the competition progresses.
Each episode concludes in the Map Room, where participants must mark their suspected location on a European map.
The contestant whose guess is furthest from the actual location faces elimination, whilst the eventual winner stands to claim £100,000.
The early elimination twist, which saw three contestants removed before boarding the coach, prompted complaints during the show’s premiere, while the decision by contestant Mahdi also drew criticism. In the end, several viewers decided to “switch off”.
“This is really f**king boring #DestinationX,” one viewer complained on X before a second echoed: “How to massively over complicate a game. I give you #DestinationX. Wanted to like this from the trailers but I’m slowly switching off. Bore!”
“Gave #DestinationX a try last night, but it’s a no from me. It just made no sense. Alsace, Alsace, Alsace, Alsace, Paris. What?” a third complained.
While a fourth was unhappy with the choice of host: “#DestinationX oh dear wtf did i just watch, it should be called the rob brydon show.”
“Not as good as I thought it would be. Not helped by the fact you can’t take him seriously, given his #GavinAndStacey character. #DestinationX,” another hit out.
However, there was still some praise for the new game show. “#DestinationX fantastic TV… The new Traitors,” one fan praised before a second lauded: “I think Destination X has been my favorite reality show this year #DestinationX.” (sic)
Away from social media, media critics have drawn unfavourable comparisons between Destination X and established reality formats.
The Guardian described the programme as lacking the gripping tension of The Traitors or the heartwarming appeal of Race Across the World, despite marketing attempts to position it as combining elements of both shows.
The Telegraph’s reviewer found the programme “quite dull”, noting that the most thrilling moment involved someone breaking a fingernail.
The publication highlighted that despite the enormous production expenditure, most of the budget appeared to have been spent off-screen rather than on creating compelling television.
The London Evening Standard similarly concluded that the travel show failed to match Race Across the World’s success, whilst acknowledging the format had been adapted from Belgian programme Bestemming X.