I found the new Survival series disappointing not because Ray has strayed from hardcore bushcrafting (as others have rightly said, best of luck to him if he wants to diversify - don't blame him one iota for that), but because he has strayed into low-brow, dumbed-down, cliche-ridden, prime-time TV.
That Survival series was the intellectual equivalent of putting cornflour into a casserole - thick and lumpy with no extra flavour. But that's most TV for you.
Well, you know what, if that's what he wants to do then I genuinely wish him the very best of luck. I really do. But those kinds of programmes (and, by extension, Ray) are not relevant to me. I realise that some like it, and that they think it will make more people interested in the natural world (which I doubt, to be honest - the 'man on the the street' watches those programmes to feel good about themselves, as a kind of barbiturate - the act of watching is what soothes the soul. But not so far as taking actual actions). That's great if people like watching it. Some like watching X Factor and Celebrity Dancing. Good for them too.
Did anyone really take anything away from those programmes? Really? Did they really cover new ground? If it wasn't for Ray would you honestly still have enjoyed it as much? We seem to have agreed they weren't bushcraft-centred (and, again, that's fine by me - before anyone accuses me of disliking ray (which I don't!), or disliking the fact that he's diversified) but would you have watched them and spoken so glowingly about them if Ray hadn't been presenting?
Actually, they remind me of the Harry Potter books - great if you are 16 years old or younger, but past that age you really should be looking for something more substantial. As well you know.
Just to reiterate (before the Ray fanboys jump on me) my criticism is with the programmes, not the presenter!