BBC Trust Launches New Consultation on Proposed Changes

LONDON: The BBC Trust has launched its second public consultation regarding the transition of BBC Three to an online-only service, the addition of a +1 channel for BBC One, the evolution of the iPlayer and extended hours for CBBC.

The Trust is again calling on the public and stakeholders to give their views on the provisional conclusions that were published in June and whether the appropriate conditions have been imposed.

In those provisional conclusions, the Trust outlined three conditions in relation to the closure of BBC Three as a broadcast channel and its reinvention online. It proposed a more carefully managed transition from broadcast TV to online, to raise awareness of the change. The Trust also wanted clearer commitments to programs on BBC One and/or Two that appeal to a younger audience, including using those channels to continue to air some of the long-form shows from BBC Three. The third issue was about making a commitment to a space on broadcast TV, not just BBC Three online, where "risks can be taken with new talent and new ideas," pointing to the sort that Three had been successful in developing.

The Trust asked the BBC Executive to provide further, detailed information on the impacts of the proposed conditions. 

In response, the BBC Executive promised that BBC Three will be more than just an online version of its linear predecessor or a handful of long-form programs within a branded BBC Three space in the iPlayer. "In developing the new BBC Three offering, the BBC Executive has put the editorial offer front and center of the new proposition, focusing on content that will resonate with younger audiences—comedy, personality-led entertainment, drama, factual, documentaries and current affairs—in areas which audiences tell us that they value most from BBC Three. Talent will play a key role in creating and curating BBC Three content, fostering a more personal and habitual relationship with audiences."

It also argued that the closure of BBC Three will release funding for investment in drama on BBC One, keeping with the Trust's requirement.

BBC Trust Chairman Rona Fairhead said: "Our provisional conclusions sought to ensure that the BBC's services remain distinctive, innovative and relevant to all its audiences, while working within ever tighter funding constraints. Over the next few weeks, we'll gather more views about the BBC's proposals and the mitigations we’ve put forward to address concerns raised. We will carefully consider the responses and all of the evidence before making our final decision.”

The Trust is also proposing to carry out a service license review within a year of publication of its final decision, focusing on whether the BBC has succeeded in maintaining its appeal to younger audiences. It would, in particular, look at the BBC’s overall reach to 16- to 24-year-olds and, if the BBC Three online service is approved by the Trust, its audience numbers and reach.