Yesterday the BBC Trust decided to ratify the decision to make BBC Three an online channel only. This is despite the open letter from 750 on and off screen stars protesting the move, as mentioned in a previous post, not to mention the public petition that has been signed by nearly 300,000 people.

According to the statement issued by the Trust the move will save the corporation £30milllion a year. While I will admit that this is a substantial amount of money, I don’t believe it is a big enough saving to compensate for what will be lost.

“It is clear that the long-term future of broadcasting is online and the BBC needs to find new and exciting ways to help audiences make that transition, while bearing down on costs overall.

“We know young audiences are already moving towards the online future, but we do recognise that in the short term some of them will feel the immediate impact of the BBC Three proposals.” – Rona Fairheard – BBC Trust Chairwoman.

BBC Three is known as a breaking ground for new talent both in front of and behind the camera. It was a place where aspiring actors, writers and directors could prove themselves and ply their craft. James Corden and Aidan Turner are just two of the many names that got their big break on the channel which launched in 2003.

While there were conditions to the Trust’s decision, namely a commitment from BBC One and BBC Two to broadcast more programmes aimed at 16-34 year olds. I believe that what viewers will lose when BBC Three moves online will far out weigh what new measures the BBC put in place.

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