BBC Trust launches “largest and most significant” review yet

The BBC Trust is to launch a review of corporation’s key services, including BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and red button services.

The BBC’s governing body will look at all areas of output including whether services are providing value for money, and claim that it will be the “largest and most significant” review the trust has undertaken.

Despite being the corporation’s flagship channels, BBC One and BBC Two have never been reviewed by the trust before now.

Diane Coyle, who is leading the review, said: “The trust is the BBC’s governing body and we need to ensure these services are meeting audiences’ expectations. This is why we have launched this significant piece of work that will help us understand how well the BBC’s most popular services are operating.

“These services have a key role in helping the BBC deliver its public service mission. We’ll be looking at how they are performing against their service licences and whether they are offering value for money.  Our research tells us that audiences want and expect more fresh and new ideas on the BBC television. This review will help us understand how best the BBC can provide distinctive programming that audiences love.”

As part of the review, the BBC Trust is set to launch a 12-week consultation period to find out what the public think of services and what they would like to see improved and done differently.

They aim to deliver a final report, suggesting possible changes to the services concerned, by next summer.

The Trust has a duty to review all BBC services once every five years.  It has already published reviews of bbc.co.uk, services for children, services for young people, and is currently reviewing BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.