The BBC has confirmed that is set to close BBC Three as a TV channel in autumn 2015, moving all of its programmes to the company’s iPlayer.
The BBC Three brand is to be reinvented as a new online service. According to a press release, the closure would save £50 million, with £30 million of that money supporting a new drama on BBC One.
“I am certain that this decision is strategically right – but it’s also financially necessary too” said Director General Tony Hall.
“We should close BBC Three as a broadcast or linear channel … I believe it’s the right thing to do: young audiences – the BBC Three audience – are the most mobile and ready to move to an online world.
“25% of viewing by 16-24 year olds is to catch-up or other screens and over the next few years we expect that to reach 40%. We recognise that, for now, most of this audience still do their viewing on television, and that is why we plan to show BBC Three’s long-form content on either BBC One or BBC Two.
“BBC Three has an extraordinary track record – it’s been home to ‘Gavin & Stacey’, ‘Little Britain’, ‘Bad Education’ and, right now, ‘Bluestone 42’. I’ve also been seriously impressed by the current affairs I’ve seen – from ‘Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts’ and ‘Our War’, to Reggie Yates’s outstanding reports from South Africa, ending just this week. You can be rightly proud of what you have achieved so far. I want you to carry on making programmes for young audiences that continue to break new ground.”
Danny Cohen, Director of BBC Television, said: “In autumn 2015 we plan to close BBC Three as a linear TV Channel and in its place we will develop a bold, ambitious, future-facing new version of BBC Three online.”
Image via RTÉ Ten
