TV
BBC Three will axe its nightly newscast in December in favour of other factual programming.
In taking its decision, the BBC cited the findings of last year's Barwise Report into the corporation's digital channels. In that report, Professor Barwise indicated that the news needs of the 7 O'clock News' 25-34 intended demographic were being served elsewhere and that cancelling the newscast would "increase the channel's impact and its value for money."
The decision to axe the show has gained approval from Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary.
"BBC Three's 7 o'Clock News was created in an era of intense competition from seven rolling news channels and 24/7 news on the internet," said BBC Three controller Stuart Murphy. "It has fought its corner with innovation and style and I genuinely regret that the programme's audience impact was not significant enough to justify its existence. It is testament to the creativity of the bulletin's production team that many of the techniques it pioneered were subsequently adopted by mainstream news media."
The channel will use money freed up by cancelling the show to add more "knowledge-building programming," said BBC director of TV Jana Bennett.
"We plan to fill the slot vacated by the News with innovative, high quality programming from factual and other genres," added Bennett.
BBC Three's other long-running news bulletin 60 Seconds is not affected by the decision.
In taking its decision, the BBC cited the findings of last year's Barwise Report into the corporation's digital channels. In that report, Professor Barwise indicated that the news needs of the 7 O'clock News' 25-34 intended demographic were being served elsewhere and that cancelling the newscast would "increase the channel's impact and its value for money."
The decision to axe the show has gained approval from Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary.
"BBC Three's 7 o'Clock News was created in an era of intense competition from seven rolling news channels and 24/7 news on the internet," said BBC Three controller Stuart Murphy. "It has fought its corner with innovation and style and I genuinely regret that the programme's audience impact was not significant enough to justify its existence. It is testament to the creativity of the bulletin's production team that many of the techniques it pioneered were subsequently adopted by mainstream news media."
The channel will use money freed up by cancelling the show to add more "knowledge-building programming," said BBC director of TV Jana Bennett.
"We plan to fill the slot vacated by the News with innovative, high quality programming from factual and other genres," added Bennett.
BBC Three's other long-running news bulletin 60 Seconds is not affected by the decision.
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