Murphy looks to expand BBC Three hours

BBC Three controller Stuart Murphy has revealed an ambition to expand the channel's broadcast hours.

Asked if such a move was on his wish list, he replied: "Yeah, definitely [but] it's Tessa Jowell's decision. That's the next thing we want to start on."

Adding that an extra seven hours would be ideal, he refused to be drawn on any potential programming ideas but admitted: "I think there's definitely scope for us to do pre-watershed drama."

Meanwhile, Murphy acknowledged that the station had had a rocky beginning. "At the BBC, you expect a lorry load of crap to be poured upon you sometimes and that's what I felt [with this]," he said. "[But] I feel we're on the right track now."

He dismissed the suggestion that the channel was just about comedy, pointing out that all three original drama series from 2004 had gone on to receive award nominations. However, he added: "We'll have other series but... we're the market leader in alternative comedy and I don't want to lose that badge of honour."

The future of the mandatory, yet poorly-rated, 7pm news bulletin is being examined by an ongoing consultation. "It's not my decision... but it's there," he said. "I really feel for the team that make it - it's a great show. I love it as a news programme but we've got to be realistic [about] the environment we're in."