"The British regulatory system was revised, so that bigger profits were encouraged, which removed the option of big spending on programming. Quality just fell off a cliff, and all the old hands either left or were fired for being too expensive"

This quote by Lee Child is referring to the modifications made to the British regulatory system in order to encourage larger profits. These modifications got rid of the choice of big costs on programs, leading to a decline in quality. This decrease in quality caused the old-timers, or experienced experts, to either leave or be fired due to their high cost. This quote is highlighting the unfavorable impacts of focusing on profits over quality, as it has led to a reduction in the quality of shows. It likewise shows how the modifications to the regulatory system have had a direct effect on the knowledgeable experts in the industry, as they have actually been required to leave or be fired due to their high expense.