“Commissioning editors should ask consistently of new programming: ‘Is this idea sufficiently innovative and high quality?’ rather than simply ‘How will it do in the ratings?'”
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He added that while 97 per cent of the population every week, just 20 per cent of the 190,000 members of the public surveyed for the Charter renewal believe it is efficient.
The BBC is to be regulated externally for the first time in its 90-year history, the government will announce on Thursday.
An independent report by David Clementi commissioned by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport backed the creation of a single executive board to replace a two-tier system in which the government appoints the chair and vice chair.
But he said t here were some areas where the BBC will continue to talk to the Government to address remaining issues, including allowing the National Audit Office to be the BBC’s auditor and how the new board is appointed.
“The government is being dishonest with the licence fee payer when it says that our principal public service broadcaster will not be harmed by its policy”, commented BECTU’s general secretary, Gerry Morrissey.
The Culture Secretary recognised the future of the licence fee was in doubt and urged the BBC to explore new subscription services beyond what it already offers.
He added: “The BBC will become more accountable to the devolved nations”.
People watching BBC programmes on demand online will have to obtain a TV licence, closing a loophole that costs it £150m a year.
“The government thinks there is a case for iPlayer to require verification – i.e. access should be conditional upon verification of licence fee payment – so that individuals in other countries, and those in the United Kingdom not paying the fee, can not access licence fee funded content for free”.
She also said: “Today we read in the newspapers that (Mr Whittingdale) intends to re-write the BBC’s mission”.
John Whittingdale has unveiled the Government’s blueprint for the future of the BBC, which will include Ofcom regulation for the first time.
Other measures include handing oversight of the BBC to the Ofcom watchdog.
Mr Whittingdale’s relationship with the media was questioned earlier this year after details of his affair with a sex worker were kept under wraps by four newspapers well aware of the story.
Whittingdale – who is speaking to the Commons now – said the Trust was “no longer fit for purpose” and said it was unclear where the division of responsibilities came between the governance body and the broadcaster’s board.
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Whittingdale revealed that independent organisations will be able to tender for all BBC shows as part of the revamped BBC Studios division, meaning that the likes of Top Gear or Doctor Who could eventually be made externally. While the government stopped short of making specific proposals, it signaled that singing competition The Voice should maybe be among the types of popular shows that the BBC should not buy in the future.
