BBC Plans Themed Future For TV Channels

The BBC is to change the name and remit of its two digital channels, BBC Choice and BBC Knowledge, so that if and when analogue switch-off occurs in 2010, the four BBC channels would each be themed for a specific audience. The change has been anticipated for some time (see E4 Forces Broadcasters To Consider Digital Entertainment Offerings), but until this weekend no firm confirmation had been forthcoming from the corporation.

The plans would see BBC Choice renamed BBC 3. It would target the younger audience, which terrestrial BBC channels have been losing to Channel 4 and satellite channels, with drama, music, comedy and news. Its launch may be expected as early as next spring.

BBC 1 is also set to become more entertainment-based and populist, as BBC Knowledge becomes BBC 4, a highbrow arts channel which would also carry political coverage and therefore take the onus from BBC 1. BBC 4 would target a similar audience to Radio 4 with science, political debate and arts coverage such as the Proms, and is likely to come into being next summer. BBC 2 is also to become more serious and factual.

Plans for the new channels are due to be unveiled in more detail later in the month by director- general Greg Dyke at the Edinburgh Television Festival, where he is presenting this year’s keynote McTaggart Lecture.

The proposed changes would have several hurdles to jump before they can go ahead. First of all the BBC governors, who will not meet again until the autumn, would have to approve them. Following that, the government, including the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Chris Smith, would have to consider the overhaul.

The phrase BBC executives will be dreading is unlikely to be left out of discussions regarding the theming of BBC TV output. Although the new set-up appears to promise an equal output of populist and high-brow programming, murmurs of “dumbing down” are almost certain to reach a dull roar before the new channels hit the screens.

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