BBC expected to axe services in overhaul
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The BBC plans to close radio stations and halve its website in a strategic review to focus on quality rather than quantity, according to reports.
The Times says The corporation plans to axe radio stations 6Music and Asian Network, teen focused programmes BBC Switch and Blast!, reduce the size of its website by half and cut spending on imported programming as it announces an overhaul of its services next month.
Mark Thompson, the BBC director general is expected to say that the BBC must reduce its size to allow room for commercial rivals to operate in a report being made public next month.
As part of the overhaul, Thompson is expected to increase the BBC Two budget by £25m, but cap spending on broadcasting sports events to 8.5% of the licence fee.
BBC Worldwide, the corporation’s commercial arm will become more focused on overseas activities and dispose of its British magazines arm putting the future of titles such as Radio Times and Top Gear in the balance.
A House of Lords committee called on the BBC to sell a stake in BBC Worldwide in January amid mounting pressure for the corporation to reduce its commercial activities.
The BBC is currently reviewing its marketing services departments.
Readers' comments (7)
nikki Beckett | Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:11 am
Dont get rid of 6 Music its the best station on air. PLEASE!!
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Michael | Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:24 am
Will be sad to see 6 Music go. Problem is nobody seemed to know it existed.
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Anonymous | Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:28 am
The BBC is an amazing institution that presents the best of British - it is at the forefront in many areas technologically (the BBC iPlayer) and has content that is unrivelled. Cutting services such as it's website is a huge backwards move. The BBC should always be encouraged to increase it's services - it's a service that people the world over look in envy of the sheer quality and broad appeal and ingenuity they represent and supply.
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Anonymous | Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:35 am
please leave the i-player alone - it keeps me sane and is a wonderful way of accessing quality entertainment as and when I can view or listen
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Anonymous | Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:01 pm
how can they axe the bbc asian network? it's one of their better stations and fuses traditional and modern asian culture into british society.
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Anonymous | Fri, 26 Feb 2010 1:17 pm
They'll continue to produce mindless dross like Eastenders, and axe the FANTASTIC radio six. There is no justice.
Sadly they fear the Tories, friend of Murdoch, getting in and are trying to defend themselves.
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John Coleman | Sun, 28 Feb 2010 5:37 pm
The whole report is ill judged and put together by a snob who has no regard for music, let alone culture. Also, it's a particularly British trait to try and ruin something that is successful.
The loss of BBC 6 Music would be a disaster as it is the most groundbreaking and eclectic of all stations, and it feeds the other stations by discovering new talent.
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