Everything except BBC3 has been approved.
And ceefax reports that it, and News 24 (though quite what the thinking is there..) will be subject to independent review.
As Steve points out - the numbering is rather a problem!
And BBC3+4 were the final names they wanted to use weren't they, but the children's channel names were only possibilities?
Can someone confirm if its just Five Live Sports Plus thats included in the radio services, or is there a Five Live News Plus as well - and are there any plans to put the radio services on digital satellite now they've been approved,given the low number of digital radio receivers and the expensive price of them.
Everything except BBC3 has been approved.
And ceefax reports that it, and News 24 (though quite what the thinking is there..) will be subject to independent review.
I believe Chris Smith announced there would be reviews of all BBC digital services (not sure if this included OnLine) when he was Culture Secretary a while back, but a time scale was not mentioned.
I think the review of News 24 was expected, and all Tessa Jowell has done in this respect is to announce it will start shortly.
The review sounds as though it is not to question the existence of News 24, as that has already been granted. From the report I have read on BBC OnLine it is more to confirm that the continued operation of News 24 is in accordance to the original permission granted.
***. I was sure BBC THREE was the least contentious of the lot. So the KNOWLEDGE/FOUR relaunch will presumably be de***ed now.
This post has been edited for a family audience.
(Edited by Jenny at 11:08 pm on Oct. 6, 2001)
MM
Mr Me
It is quite amazing isnt it? But a review of News 24... what?? Is this really a legitimate government thing...nothing to do with the fact that Rupert Mrdoch owns most of Sky News, and the Times and Sun newspapers, whose support is crucial to Blair and Jowell??? Ummmmmmmm, I wonder..
RW
RW
I cannot believe the government have rejected the plans for BBC THREE. Are they not aware that it already exists in all but name, as BBC Choice? Why can't they just change the name???
BB
BBCnewsemployee
RW posted:
I cannot believe the government have rejected the plans for BBC THREE. Are they not aware that it already exists in all but name, as BBC Choice? Why can't they just change the name???
I agree, they're already using new idents on Choice with '3' blocks in them.
I found the above on the telext service of BBC
PRIME
, for some reason...
RW
RW
And how can Ms Jowell claim that the plans for BBC THREE were not 'distinctive' enough? Its main rivals - Sky One and E4 - are based largely around American programming; and of course, as demonstrated this week, BBC Choice is the ONLY youth-orientated channel with any commitment towards a news/information service, which would have continued and no doubt have been built upon, on BBC THREE.
I agree, they're already using new idents on Choice with '3' blocks in them.
But they've been doing that since day one!! 3 hearts / mice / fans / punches then the 3 hearts then the 3 blocks!
BBC Three is not simply meant to be a rebrand of Choice, there would just be no point in doing that apart from a bit of short term publicity. It's meant to have the budget to create its own distinctive programmes. But I agree, it does seem daft that the majority of programmes on 'rival' channels are American and yet Three hasn't been given the go-ahead.
Would be funny to see BBC Four launch first. Everyone will be asking 'Where's BBC Three'?!
