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BBC stations face axe in shake-up BBC stations face axe in shake-up
(21 minutes 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 corporation, has said.
Speaking to staff, Mr Thompson also announced that half of the websites on BBC online will close by 2013.Speaking to staff, Mr Thompson also announced that half of 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 public consultation period will take place.The strategy review has now been submitted to the BBC Trust and a public consultation period will take place.
'Cultural vandalism''Cultural vandalism'
Mr Thompson pledged that in the future 90p of every licence fee £1 will be spent on programming and that the corporation would spend 25% less on BBC online. 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.
The review says 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.
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 togetherFIVE 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
During the briefing Mr Thompson said the earliest 6 Music and Asian Network would close would be by the end of 2011.During the briefing Mr Thompson said the earliest 6 Music and Asian Network would close would be by 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.It was reported on Friday that the two digital stations would be closed, after the report was leaked to The Times.
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.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.
Shaun Keaveny, a presenter on 6 Music, said: "First of all, massive thanks to everyone who has shown their support, it's literally choking us up.Shaun Keaveny, a presenter on 6 Music, said: "First of all, massive thanks to everyone who has shown their support, it's literally choking us up.
He added that they would not know "the full story" until later this month but "we hope it isn't true of course".He added that they would not know "the full story" until later this month but "we hope it isn't true of course".
BBC broadcaster Charlie Brooker said: "I was going to buy a digital radio next week. If they get rid of BBC 6 music I might as well not bother." BBC broadcaster and journalist Charlie Brooker said: "I was going to buy a digital radio next week. If they get rid of BBC 6 music I might as well not bother."
'Politically motivated''Politically motivated'
Comedian and DJ Phill Jupitus described the potential axing of 6 Music as "an act of cultural vandalism".Comedian and DJ Phill Jupitus described the potential axing of 6 Music as "an act of cultural vandalism".
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."
It would be a bad thing if it closed down Producer Mark Ronson on 6 Music closing It would be a bad thing if it closed down Producer Mark Ronson on 6 Music closing class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/haveyoursay/2010/02/where_should_the_bbc_cut_back.html">Send us your comments
Meanwhile, broadcasting workers' union Bectu, said up to 600 jobs could go.Meanwhile, broadcasting workers' union Bectu, said up to 600 jobs could go.
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: "These cuts are totally unnecessary and are purely politically motivated.
"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: "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.
"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.
"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.
BBC Worldwide will continue its mission to relieve pressure on the licence fee payer through complementary commercial activities. 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.
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.
Spending on imported programmes and films will be cut by 20% and are also plans to move away from "physical media" which includes magazines in the UK.
During Tuesday's briefing, Mr Thompson said the report was about "putting quality first".