BBC3 online move given final approval

BBC3’s previous output includes such shows as adult animation Monkey Dust

BBC3’s controversial move to become an online-only channel has been confirmed by the BBC’s governing body.

The BBC Trust provisionally approved a decision to shift the channel online in June, arguing that the audience was already falling and a move would make BBC3 more distinctive.

It did, however, raise a series of concerns, including the online channel’s ability to provide opportunities to take creative risks and focus on shows for younger audiences.

In a statement issued today, the trust said these have now been addressed, meaning the channel can press ahead with the change, which is due to be completed by March 1 next year.

The decision is expected to save the pubcaster around £30m (US$45m) a year, less than the £50m the BBC cited when the plans were first revealed last year.

It has been vehemently opposed by some producers, including Hat Trick boss Jimmy Mulville, who argued it would be the channel’s “kiss of death” and that it be impossible for BBC3 to compete with the likes of Netflix. Mulville and Avalon’s Jon Thoday have failed with several attempts to acquire the channel and run it as an independent linear station.

More than 300,000 people have also registered their opposition to the move via an online petition.

BBC3’s web move has been in the works since BBC chief Tony Hall revealed the plan in 2014, which included proposals to offer BBC3 content across the pubcaster’s other services.

BBC3’s existing shows will be shifted to sibling linear nets BBC1 and BBC2. Previous output from the channel includes comedy Gavin & Stacey, dark adult animation Monkey Dust, Don’t Tell the Bride and Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents.

A phased transition will take place as viewers are redirected to the new online service.

BBC3 controller Damian Kavanagh

BBC3, led by controller Damian Kavanagh, has been commissioning programming throughout the process, with shows including Doctor Who spin-off Class, Marnie Dickens drama Thirteen and docuseries Breaking the Mould, exploring gender issues, all on the slate.

The channel has also appointed Max Gogarty, former head of development at Vice, to lead its content team and new-form content is also being prepped in the form of video shorts, GIFs and Vines.

Kavanagh said: “Technology changed and what young people want changed, so we are changing to give young people a BBC3 that fits their lives today and in the future. Today, more than 50% of video viewed by 16- to 24-year-olds is not live TV and more than 90% of 16-24s own a smartphone and have at least one social media account. In 2003 this was 0%.

“Much has been written since we outlined our plans, with passionate campaigns from industry and audiences. There has also been misunderstanding. BBC3 is not closing; we are reinventing online. We will not be a scheduled 19.00 to 04.00 linear broadcast TV channel but we will be everywhere else, giving you the freedom to choose what to watch, when you want.

“We will be available on BBC iPlayer on connected TVs and via set-top boxes and consoles like the PS4 so you can watch on a big TV with friends. We will be on mobiles and tablets so you can watch on your own in the bath. The truth is we will be available to you in more places than ever before, including linear TV. All our shows will be on BBC1 or BBC2, so you can watch on traditional TV.”

Kavanagh also announced plans to recruit a team of “unheard voices and digital creatives” to create and test content for the new-look service.

Meanwhile, the BBC Trust has confirmed its rejection of the pubcaster’s plans to launch a BBC+1 channel. It has, however, accepted proposals to extend children’s channel CBBC’s hours and allow VoD service iPlayer to expand into new services, including hosting more live content.