BBC Three – which has in the past provided extra coverage of UK festivals such as Glastonbury, T In The Park and Reading/Leeds (though very little else) to music fans – will become an entirely online entity from March next year.
As part of cost-cutting exercises, the BBC Trust has now formally approved plans to withdraw the channel from digital television services.
“The BBC must adapt with its audiences; the evidence is very clear that younger audiences are watching more online and less linear TV,” BBC Trustee Suzanna Taverne has commented.
“The plans enable the BBC to deliver more distinctive content online, while bearing down on costs; to address concerns about the impact of moving BBC Three online, we have set new requirements for programmes for younger audiences on BBC One and Two.”
As well as the aforementioned festival coverage which has interested us, BBC Three has also launched a handful of successful series such as Gavin & Stacey, Little Britain and The Mighty Boosh.