BECTU backs BBC's new digital channel

BECTU are backing calls for Culture Minister Tessa Jowell to give her approval to a new BBC television channel.
In a submission to the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport, the union have called for BBC 3 to be given the go-ahead to boost UK television production and add to the BBC’s public service role.
The new channel is the only proposed BBC digital television service still to be approved by government. Two other proposals, both daytime children's channels, went live in February, and a new service called BBC Four will start evening broadcasts on March 2.
All the new services are available on the Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) system, branded as ITV Digital, as well as Sky Digital and cable TV.
Ms Jowell gave permission for the corporation to launch three new channels, and five radio stations on digital broadcasting systems. However, proposals for BBC 3 were originally turned down by the minister as they were deemed to be "not distinctive". Subsequently, the corporation announced changes in their vision for the new digital station in December.
Although it would still be aimed at the original target audience of 25-34 year olds, significant changes have been proposed in the programme mix. These new proposals eliminate some of plans for entertainment and drama programming to allow a greater emphasis on news and current affairs, arts and culture, and education.
In their submission to the minister, BECTU welcomed the revised proposals as an "essential" means of providing public service programming to a young audience who might not otherwise experience this kind of broadcasting.
At a time when the advertising slump was cutting production in the commercial sector, BBC 3 would also be a boost to UK programme-making, said the union. Commercial competitors running digital channels have recently softened their line on the danger of new BBC services damaging their audiences.
BBC, www.bbc.co.uk
BECTU, www.bectu.co.uk
(GB)