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BBC stations face axe in shake-up BBC stations face axe in shake-up
(about 1 hour later)
BBC 6 Music and Asian Network are facing closure, Mark Thompson, director general of the corporation, has said. BBC 6 Music and Asian Network are facing closure, Mark Thompson, director general of the BBC, has announced.
Speaking to staff, Mr Thompson also announced that half of the websites on BBC online will close by 2013. Mr Thompson also said half the websites on BBC online will close by 2013.
Among the closures will be teen services Switch and Blast, with Mr Thompson admitting Channel 4 should lead the way with these audiences.Among the closures will be teen services Switch and Blast, with Mr Thompson admitting Channel 4 should lead the way with these audiences.
The strategy review has now been submitted to the BBC Trust and a three month consultation will take place. The strategy review has now been submitted to the BBC Trust and a three- month consultation with the public will take place.
FIVE EDITORIAL BBC PRIORITIES 1. The best journalism in the world2. Inspiring knowledge, music and culture3. Ambitious UK drama and comedy4. Outstanding children's content5. Events that bring communities and the nation together Full strategic review reportFIVE EDITORIAL BBC PRIORITIES 1. The best journalism in the world2. Inspiring knowledge, music and culture3. Ambitious UK drama and comedy4. Outstanding children's content5. Events that bring communities and the nation together Full strategic review report
'Cultural vandalism''Cultural vandalism'
Mr Thompson pledged that in the future, 90p of every licence fee £1 will be spent on programming and the corporation would spend 25% less on BBC online. Mr Thompson pledged that in future, 90p of every licence fee £1 will be spent on programming and the corporation would spend 25% less on BBC online.
The review said more money will be ploughed into international news and the BBC must put a higher proportion of the licence fee into quality programmes to make "fewer things better".The review said more money will be ploughed into international news and the BBC must put a higher proportion of the licence fee into quality programmes to make "fewer things better".
As a result of the changes Mr Thompson said he expected the plans would see an extra £600m ($893m) diverted into programme-making.As a result of the changes Mr Thompson said he expected the plans would see an extra £600m ($893m) diverted into programme-making.
Radio 2 needed to "sharpen its distinctiveness in its range of music and speech" and while the quality of local radio should be increased, he proposed sharing more programmes across outlets during off-peak periods.Radio 2 needed to "sharpen its distinctiveness in its range of music and speech" and while the quality of local radio should be increased, he proposed sharing more programmes across outlets during off-peak periods.
INSIDER'S VIEW Torin Douglas, Media correspondentINSIDER'S VIEW Torin Douglas, Media correspondent
For the first time, the BBC is explicitly reducing its commitment to some audiences and urging them to switch to its commercial competitors. It says Channel 4 should take the lead in providing public-service TV programming for young teenagers, and is closing BBC Switch and Blast. This means that its children's audience - one of the BBC's new priorities - will have to be wooed back later, perhaps through BBC Three, which it says "has learned to be bold and challenging, with programmes that engage young audiences". The BBC is also encouraging 30-to-50-year-olds to listen to popular music on commercial radio, instead of the three BBC national stations which they currently enjoy. 6 Music is to be closed and Radio 1 and Radio 2 "refocused" to appeal to other age groups. The BBC says 6 Music "competes head-on for a commercially valuable audience" and would damage the commercial stations if it tried to attract more listeners. 6 Music fans say commercial radio won't support new music in the same way.For the first time, the BBC is explicitly reducing its commitment to some audiences and urging them to switch to its commercial competitors. It says Channel 4 should take the lead in providing public-service TV programming for young teenagers, and is closing BBC Switch and Blast. This means that its children's audience - one of the BBC's new priorities - will have to be wooed back later, perhaps through BBC Three, which it says "has learned to be bold and challenging, with programmes that engage young audiences". The BBC is also encouraging 30-to-50-year-olds to listen to popular music on commercial radio, instead of the three BBC national stations which they currently enjoy. 6 Music is to be closed and Radio 1 and Radio 2 "refocused" to appeal to other age groups. The BBC says 6 Music "competes head-on for a commercially valuable audience" and would damage the commercial stations if it tried to attract more listeners. 6 Music fans say commercial radio won't support new music in the same way.
During the briefing Mr Thompson said the earliest 6 Music and Asian Network would close would be by the end of 2011. Mr Thompson said the earliest 6 Music and Asian Network would close would be the end of 2011.
It was reported on Friday that the two digital stations would be closed, after the report was leaked to The Times. The proposed cuts have been criticised by music industry figures, with the heads of the British Phonographic Institute and the Association of Independent Music saying they were "surprised and alarmed" by the reports.
Following the leaks, the BBC was heavily criticised by music industry figures, with the heads of the British Phonographic Institute and the Association of Independent Music saying they were "surprised and alarmed" by the reports.
Music producer and musician Mark Ronson told BBC Radio 5 live that he was "definitely joining the petition" to keep 6 Music on air.Music producer and musician Mark Ronson told BBC Radio 5 live that he was "definitely joining the petition" to keep 6 Music on air.
He added: " It would be a bad thing if it closed down. It's great old music, it's great new bands. People on that station love music."He added: " It would be a bad thing if it closed down. It's great old music, it's great new bands. People on that station love music."
A Facebook group titled Save BBC 6 Music has attracted over 89,000 members so far.
Asian Network Sonia Deol said: "Somebody is asking me on the text 'aren't you angry?' Of course I'm angry by the stuff that's going on in the news, but I absolutely love the BBC Asian Network and Asian audiences and the show is going to carry on."Asian Network Sonia Deol said: "Somebody is asking me on the text 'aren't you angry?' Of course I'm angry by the stuff that's going on in the news, but I absolutely love the BBC Asian Network and Asian audiences and the show is going to carry on."
Meanwhile, broadcasting workers' union Bectu, said up to 600 jobs could go.Meanwhile, broadcasting workers' union Bectu, said up to 600 jobs could go.
Somebody is asking me on the text 'aren't you angry?' Of course I'm angry by the stuff that's going on in the news, but I absolutely love the BBC Asian Network and Asian audiences and the show is going to carry on Sonia Deol, Asian NetworkSomebody is asking me on the text 'aren't you angry?' Of course I'm angry by the stuff that's going on in the news, but I absolutely love the BBC Asian Network and Asian audiences and the show is going to carry on Sonia Deol, Asian Network
General secretary of the organisation, Gerry Morrissey, said: "These cuts are totally unnecessary and are purely politically motivated. General secretary of the organisation, Gerry Morrissey, said: "It is obvious that the BBC is being bounced by its competitors and by the political climate ahead of the upcoming general election.
"It is obvious that the BBC is being bounced by its competitors and by the political climate ahead of the upcoming general election.
"It is not acceptable for the BBC to be offering up services and jobs as some kind of sacrifice ahead of the general election.""It is not acceptable for the BBC to be offering up services and jobs as some kind of sacrifice ahead of the general election."
Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, added: "Public pressure can help persuade the BBC to put its viewers and listeners first, rather than allowing the corporate media barons to have their way and begin dismantling a vital national service. Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, added: "These plans smack of an attempt to appease commercial and political interests. Hard-working staff shouldn't be used as a political football and we will fight any compulsory redundancies."
"These plans smack of an attempt to appease commercial and political interests. Hard-working staff shouldn't be used as a political football and we will fight any compulsory redundancies."
Union leaders will meet Mr Thompson on Wednesday but have already warned industrial action might take place to fight the cuts.Union leaders will meet Mr Thompson on Wednesday but have already warned industrial action might take place to fight the cuts.
Mr Thompson has denied that the proposals have anything to do with the forthcoming election.Mr Thompson has denied that the proposals have anything to do with the forthcoming election.
It would be a bad thing if it closed down Producer Mark Ronson on 6 Music closing Send us your commentsIt would be a bad thing if it closed down Producer Mark Ronson on 6 Music closing Send us your comments
"The proposed changes we are announcing today are not a piece of politics. It is also not a blueprint of a small BBC or a BBC that is in retreat from digital," he said."The proposed changes we are announcing today are not a piece of politics. It is also not a blueprint of a small BBC or a BBC that is in retreat from digital," he said.
He added: "It is exactly because the media is changing so fast that we must articulate our public service mission and our values more clearly and consistently than ever before. There can be no turning back on our digital journey.
"But we also have to recognise the profound challenges facing much of commercial media.
"And that, while some attacks made on the BBC are destructive and baseless, others represent legitimate concern about the boundaries of what we do, and about our future public service and commercial ambitions. We need to listen more closely than we have in the past."
BBC Worldwide is expected to go through a period of change, with the possible loss of magazines such as Top Gear, Radio Times and Gardeners' World.BBC Worldwide is expected to go through a period of change, with the possible loss of magazines such as Top Gear, Radio Times and Gardeners' World.
It will also move to a more international focus, deriving at least two-thirds of its revenue from outside the UK by 2015.It will also move to a more international focus, deriving at least two-thirds of its revenue from outside the UK by 2015.