BBC Three Announces February Launch

The BBC’s new digital channel, BBC Three, is to launch on Sunday 9 February following a string of delays.

Stuart Murphy, controller of BBC Choice, commented: “Our research shows that Sunday is a key night for our audience and so we have decide to launch on Sunday 9 February.”

The channel was originally expected to launch last year, but was delayed after receiving fierce criticism from the commercial sector (see BBC3 Could Cost Commercial Broadcasters £25m). The Government then rejected plans for the new channel last September, claiming that it was “not truly distinctive in an already crowded market.(see

Government Says No To BBC3 Government Finally Gives BBC3 The Go Ahead)

Murphy added: “The launch is only three months away, and there is a lot to do on finalising the schedule for the channel, but we are really excited that BBC Three will be on air soon.”

The BBC has also insisted that the new channel will maintain a strong commitment to its public service remit, including factual, news, current affairs, science, business and ethics programming.

The channel will also be part of the new digital terrestrial TV platform, Freeview, which launched last month, with an extra four new television channels and five new radio stations to the line-up already announced (see Freeview Digital Service Will Launch This Month).

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk

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