BBC to put shows like Strictly Come Dancing at the heart of its long-term future

Broadcaster to defend its right to show entertainment programmes and the public service provided by Radio 1 and Radio 2

Peter Andre with his dance partner Janette Manrara during last Saturday's show (BBC)

The BBC will attempt to set out its long-term future including plans to prepare its services for “an internet-only world”.

In a response to the Government’s Green Paper on the BBC, the broadcaster will defend its right to show popular entertainment programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, claiming that competition in Saturday night schedules “has been part of the TV landscape for generations and drives up quality”.

The BBC will propose that it is run by a unitary board, headed by a non-executive chairman, without the need for a governing body such as the BBC Trust. The trust has been criticised for its handling of a series of recent BBC crises, notably the executive pay and Jimmy Savile scandals.

The public don’t want a narrowly focused BBC. They want one that produces great programmes

&#13; <p>A BBC source</p>&#13;

In its response to the Green Paper, the broadcaster will also ask that the 10-year period of BBC Royal Charters be extended to 11 years so that it no longer coincides with the cycle of general elections. BBC sources said that this was not an implication that the BBC’s election coverage was a factor in the way the Government has framed the debate on the future of the BBC. But giving “greater space” between election and charter cycles would “benefit both the Government and the BBC”.

The BBC’s determination to shore up its position for future generations is reflected in a key plank of its response, which stresses the need for “transforming the BBC’s services to be internet fit, on the way to them being ready for an internet-only world whenever it comes”.

But more immediately it seeks to address comments by the Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, suggesting that Strictly Come Dancing’s place in the Saturday schedule is of “debatable” public service value. A BBC source said: “The public don’t want a narrowly focused BBC. They want one that produces great programmes and offers Britain a strong voice abroad.”

It will address suggestions that Radio 1 and Radio 2 fail to provide a service distinctive from commercial stations. The response highlights the BBC’s record in championing British talent and quote statistics showing that 49 per cent of Radio 1’s playlist is for artists without a top 10 single, compared to Capital FM’s 12 per cent. The document contrasts BBC1’s record of giving 27 per cent of its schedule to factual programmes with ITV’s figure of 12 per cent.

The BBC will reject the idea that its commercial arm BBC Worldwide should be privatised, saying this would hamper attempts to monetise its content and would require a 10 per cent increase in the licence fee to compensate for lost revenue.