The BBC is to close down half its website, cut spending on imported American programmes and close two radio stations in an admission that it has become too large, a newspaper reported today. The Times said that in a strategic review to be unveiled next month, the corporation will concede it must give space to its commercial rivals which have been hard hit by an advertising downturn during the recession.The BBC regularly comes under fire from rivals and other critics for its alleged unfair dominance. Its Director-General Mark Thompson will announce a cut in its website pages by half, backed by a 25 percent cut in staff and budget, said the paper. It will further close digital radio stations 6 Music and Asian Network and close outlets that target the teenage market, leaving the area free for rivals. And it will order its commercial subsidiary BBC Worldwide to focus on activities overseas and get rid of its British magazines arm.
The report, which is being considered by the BBC’s governing body, will be seen as an attempt to show a future Conservative government that the corporation does not need outside intervention to solve its problems, said The Times. The Conservative party, tipped to win the next general election and traditionally more hostile towards the BBC than the current Labour administration, is expected to freeze the licence fee.
The BBC review comes as all media are struggling to adapt to rapidly changing technology and markets, and some - notably Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp - are pledging to end the era of free news online.
(Source: AFP/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)