Survival of BBC3 rests on strict conditions for quality, minister insists
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The new digital channel for young adults, BBC3, will be put on probation for its first two years under tough conditions laid down by the Government yesterday.
Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, finally approved the service, aimed at viewers aged 25 to 34, but insisted it must provide distinctive television. At least 80 per cent of the service's output must consist of programmes commissioned for BBC3 and new to television, Ms Jowell said. And 90 per cent must go to programmes made in Europe for a first screening in Britain, a condition designed to restrict American imports.
Other conditions stipulate that BBC3 should concentrate on finding new talent rather than poaching stars or programmes from other channels. Regional programming is also guaranteed.
BBC3 will be governed by what Ms Jowell said was "the toughest set of conditions ever issued in giving the green light to a TV channel".
The service will start in the new year, showing a combination of news, current affairs, drama, entertainment, music, arts and science, including some of the best shows from BBC Choice, which it will replace.
It will be headed by Stuart Murphy, who has previously received flak for programming some of the low-brow shows on BBC Choice and for vowing to "screw E4" (Channel 4's youth channel). The Government has deliberately drawn up conditions to prevent BBC3 from killing off its commercial rivals. Ms Jowell said there had been long and arduous negotiations since she had rejected the BBC's original proposition for the channel last year as "insufficiently distinctive". She said: "I believe the revised format will see BBC3 emerge as a real powerhouse for new talent, within which the independent sector will have a strong voice.
"It will bring genuine public-service broadcasting to a younger audience, offering them high-quality drama, news and current affairs. I am determined BBC3 should be a distinctive public-service channel that is not competing with what is already out there in a vigorous marketplace. The channel will be reviewed after two years to ensure this is the case."
Greg Dyke, the BBC's director general, said that, in retrospect, the Secretary of State for Culture had been right to push the BBC to define the proposal more clearly.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments