BBC Trust to be axed in major UK overhaul

The UK government has announced major changes to the BBC following its once-in-a-decade review.

The changes include:

• BBC Trust to be axed with UK regulator OfCom to oversee corporation.
• New 11 year charter to enhance the BBC’s independence and “distinctive” content.
• The salaries of all stars paid over £450,000 ($A888,000) will have to be published.
• More diversity with 15 per cent of lead roles going to black and ethnic minority actors by 2020 and 50 per cent of lead roles going to women.
• External production companies will be able to bid to produce all BBC content for the first time.
• A new board made up of BBC executives and non executive directors will run the organisation on a day to day basis.
• BBC iPlayer viewers to pay full licence fee, closing a current loophole.

But the government avoided more extreme measures such as allowing ministers to tell the BBC what to air during prime-time.

Tony Hall, Director-General of the BBC, said: “This White Paper delivers a mandate for the strong, creative BBC the public believe in. A BBC that will be good for the creative industries – and most importantly of all, for Britain.

“There has been a big debate about the future of the BBC. Searching questions have been asked about its role and its place in the UK. That’s right and healthy, and I welcome that debate.

“At the end, we have an 11-year Charter, a licence fee guaranteed for 11 years, and an endorsement of the scale and scope of what the BBC does today. The White Paper reaffirms our mission to inform, educate and entertain all audiences on television, on radio and online.”

Source: Independent, AAP,  Digital Spy