BBC expected to axe services in overhaul
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.
