BBC4 chief: we are not going to be axed

Richard Klein reassures digital channel’s fans but adds that it will inevitably feel effects of 20% cuts BBC needs to make The BBC4 controller, Richard Klein, has said his channel is “not going to be axed”, but confirmed its scope is likely to be reduced . Speaking at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival on Friday, Klein said that inevitably his digital channel would feel the effects of the 20% cuts the BBC is making across the board due to last year’s licence fee settlement freeze. “BBC4 will not be axed as far as I’m aware. Obviously it’s still under review. Will BBC4 face some consequences of the BBC-wide reduction in our funding of 20%? I’d imagine so. It’s inevitable,” he added. An online Save BBC4 petition, launched earlier this month after MediaGuardian.co.uk reported that the channel was facing cuts, has attracted more than 18,000 signatures in 10 days. Klein said the campaign to save BBC4 was “flattering” but reiterated: “The channel is not going to be axed. That’s not going to happen.” However, he added that it was “difficult to see the vast majority of savings coming from cutting budgets further” and said that viewers will notice a difference on screen. “People will see a difference, I’m sure. You can’t take 20% out of the BBC and not.” He said drama will continue on the channel but did not go into detail about its scope. BBC executives are considering reducing BBC4′s UK originated drama and comedy output, with the focus shifting to so-called “arts and archive” programming. Despite Bafta award-winning single dramas such as The Road to Coronation Street and biopic Enid, some corporation executives have questioned whether BBC2 should instead be airing such shows. BBC4 has also commissioned a smaller number of comedies, such as The Thick of It and Getting On, which have attracted critical acclaim. “One thing that will be true is that the channel as far as I’m concerned will stay true to its ideals of what we do as much as we can.” Klein said he did not think BBC4 should be annexed by BBC2 in the way that 6Music has been by Radio 2. He passionately defended the channel, saying “BBC4 is completely different”, adding, “I don’t think there’s any call at the moment to say that BBC2 and BBC4 fit that well”. Klein also eased fears about the future of original drama on BBC4 by announcing plans for an adaptation by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais of Alan Furst’s The Spies Of Warsaw. The Spies of Warsaw spans the decade from 1933, against a backdrop of Nazi Germany expanded its power and influence across Europe and eventually provoking the outbreak of the second world war with its invasion of Poland. Klein also unveiled a new arts series called Art Nouveau , a new series later next year on the recession, plus Jo Brand will look at kissing for a new show and a season of programming about the British Army. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly “for publication”. • To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook BBC4 BBC Television industry MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival MediaGuardian Edinburgh International TV Festival 2011 Tara Conlan guardian.co.uk

Posted by on August 26, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.