Arguments about asylum seekers and barges, uproar over new gas and oil drilling, now a “whose patients are they anyway?” fight with England’s health secretary. Whatever happened to the dear old silly season when politics took a holiday?

Even the usually upbeat goings on at the Edinburgh fringe have been drowned out by the ugly din of politicians settling scores. Alex says this, Nicola that, and here comes Penny with her tuppenceworth.

Among the few sources of light relief this summer were the announcements about the Strictly Come Dancing line-up. Come the autumn the usual mix of older troupers, young actors/television presenters, and a couple of sports stars will be turning out to cha-cha-cha and rumba for all they are worth.

Barring a surprise late addition, there are no politicians this year. The closest the show gets is Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who says he is taking part on the basis of “you only live once”. True, but the clips will be on the internet forever.

There may be no politicians on Strictly, but the programme is not without political significance. As with the NHS, parties use the BBC as a stick to beat each other, or land a few blows on the institution itself. Auntie has been weaponised, and Strictly forms a major part of her self-defence.

READ MORE: Kevin McKenna at the Fringe

Whenever there is criticism of the BBC, or questions over its future, Strictly and its Antiques Roadshow ilk are deployed much as garlic and a crucifix are used to fend off vampires. Come for us and the dance show gets it. Freeze the licence fee and no more Blackpool weeks.

In the months and the year to come the BBC is going to need its collective tin hat on for several reasons. First, 2024 will be an election year, when the relationship between broadcasters and parties tends to be thorny anyway.

Second, the corporation has already had a horrible 2023 and there are still four months to go.

The handling of the Huw Edwards story was a mess and the repercussions are still playing out. Opinion among staff is split between those who think the corporation treated one of its own extremely badly, and those who felt the £435,000 a year newsreader was dealt with in a way lower ranks would not have been. A review is underway but it could be months before the findings are published.

Before the Edwards crisis the BBC lost its chairman, Richard Sharp, for his failure to disclose his part in arranging a £800,000 loan for Boris Johnson. Mr Sharp was replaced by Professor Elan Closs Stephens as acting chair.

There are other reasons for the BBC feeling on the back foot. The £159 freeze on the licence fee comes to an end next April, after which it will rise in line with inflation. That would be unpopular at any time, never mind while families are still struggling with the cost of living crisis.

READ MORE: Greens leaders 'arrogant and abrasive'

Once again, that traditional double whammy of questions will be asked: what is the BBC for, and why should I pay for it?

Feeding into that debate will be a recent report from Ofcom showing how viewing habits are changing. The proportion of people watching mainstream television fell from 83% in 2021 to 79% in 2022 – the biggest ever yearly drop.

In more bad news for traditional broadcasters, the over-64s are switching off and going to streaming services, with Disney+ proving popular.

Traditional broadcasters have always been able to point to “event TV” as a reason for having them around. Nations that watch together stay together and all that. Even here, audience numbers are not what they used to be. The most watched television of 2022 was the World Cup quarter final between England and France (which also topped the table in Scotland). Just over 16 million people tuned in to see England lose 2-1. The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth drew 13.2 million, while Strictly was behind I’m A Celebrity with 10.7 million viewers and 12.5 million respectively.

Finally, the BBC’s charter runs until 2027, meaning its renewal will come under the watch of whatever party wins the next General Election.

For more news, views and previews, subscribe here

It is far from all bad news for the BBC, or traditional broadcasters in general. Any other form of entertainment would kill for a weekly reach of 79%. As for the streaming services, only a minority make a profit and not all will survive the coming shake-out.

For all the reasons above, and a few more that will no doubt emerge along the way, this would a very good time for a classic series of Strictly, complete with record viewing figures. But no pressure, and no giving way on politicians in this and subsequent series. They might need Strictly if they are kicked out at the General Election, but Strictly does not need them.