BBC 'considers axing overnight TV shows'

[dutchman]

The BBC could axe overnight programmes on BBC One and BBC Two under the latest proposals being considered to cut costs at the corporation.



Mark Thompson, the BBC director general, said that around £150 million could be saved from the BBC's budget by reducing the programming aired between 10.35pm and 6am on the main BBC channels.

Thompson said that it is necessary to review whether the corporation could "put something else on" during the overnight schedule as a way to save money.

''In a sense, it's more of a question it seems to me of how much money, how much of the licence fee, should you direct to this part of the schedule given the people available to view?" he asked.

''Why is the money where it is? Is there a way of filling this part of the schedule for less money?''

Another proposal under consideration suggests that BBC Two should cut its original daytime shows, while BBC One should "reshow" dramas and natural history programmes, possible even in primetime.

The ideas are just a number of suggestions being discussed under the BBC's Delivering Quality First project, a new phase of the Strategy Review process launched last year.

Thompson is attempting to make savings of around 20% to the BBC's costs to cope with the six-year freeze to the licence fee and the corporation's forthcoming new financial obligations, such as BBC World Service.

The director general said that 21 different cost-saving proposals have been put forward by BBC staff, although he admitted that some of the ideas "aren't going to fly".

Despite the proposal for cutting overnight programming, Thompson said that the approach would not include "important" late night shows, such as BBC Two's Newsnight.

He said that the BBC wants to become more "decisive" in its approach, but he again stressed that service closures are "unlikely" in the cost-saving drive.

Last week, the BBC decided to retain the Asian Network, the specialist digital radio station that was initially earmarked for closure.

BBC staff will come together on April 7 to discuss the first stage of DQF, with a firm policy expected to be finalised by July, which will then be put before the BBC Trust for approval.