Trust rules out channel closures

The BBC Trust has ruled out closing digital channels BBC Three and BBC Four in order to make cost savings across the corporation.

The Trust reportedly told BBC director general Mark Thompson at a meeting on Wednesday that such a move was not an option, and instead the BBC must make annual savings of 3% over the next five years as a way to plug its £2 billion funding gap.

Reports suggest the Trust indicated to Thompson that less programmes should be produced, with more BBC content used across multiple platforms as a way to streamline resources.

An official announcement is expected from the Trust following its meeting on October 17.