BBC Three to close

BBC Three and Four were channels launched by BBC on freeview before the digitial switchover, as a way to encourage people to move over.

Successful shows would then get re-shown on the regular one and two channels.

But not BBC Three is to close because of budget constraints - the license fee has been frozen for a few years now.  Some of the programming will continue but in an iPlayer only format.

Here is a breakdown of the current budgets:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26447089

Interesting times for the BBC, who have lost a lot of goodwill and trust over the last few years.  There is still a consensus that the organisation is too management heavy and pays said managers beyond industry levels.  The lower level programme making employees are more marginalised and squeezed with short term contracts.  Rather than lose a channel I'd like to have seen more rationalisation of management.

iPlayer is not something the BBC can charge a licence for from its charter, and it should be listed as a "channel" in terms of costs (the BBC must have many CDN storage deals to get the iPlayer out to the consumer).

The charter comes up for renewal in 2016 - it will be interesting if it becomes an optional thing as it should be in the this day and age.