Hall eyes further BBC reforms

BBC director general Tony Hall is considering dropping the UK pubcaster’s traditional TV and radio divisions as it attempts to reshape the way it operates.

Tony Hall

Hall’s plans involve getting rid of the BBC’s channels structure and introducing new divisions such as BBC Entertain and BBC Inform, which would include both radio and TV content.

Hall will introduce the ideas behind the proposed changes, which are not expected for some time and are still being discussed, in a speech given before Easter, according to The Telegraph.

Divisions such as BBC Entertain could include smaller sub-groups such as BBC Youth, which would house pop radio station Radio 1 and soon-to-be-online BBC3.

The restructure would likely result in numerous senior exec departures and further consolidation of positions similar to Charlotte Moore’s new role as creative, editorial and strategic lead for BBC1, BBC2, BBC4 and BBC iPlayer.

Kim Shillinglaw, former controller of BBC2 and BBC4, left following that reshuffle while BBC TV chief Danny Cohen revealed he was exiting last year.

The BBC is also in the midst of negotiating its royal charter, due to be renewed at the end of this year.

A spokesman for the corporation said: “Everyone knows we are looking at the BBC’s structure to make sure we are fit for the digital age- there has already been a lot of speculation about our future shape and there will no doubt be plenty more, but when we’ve got something to announce we’ll do so.”