BBC 'could axe overnight programmes' to cut costs
The BBC has revealed that it could cut back on overnight programming on BBC1 and BBC2 as part of its cost-saving plans.
Director-general Mark Thompson has confirmed that the move, which would affect the schedule between 10.35pm and 6am, is one idea under consideration as part of an internal review.
The BBC spends £150 million a year on overnight programming. Thompson said it was "one theoritcal possibility" that it could disappear from the schedules altogether.
He said: "In a sense, it's more of a question it seems to me of how much money, how much of the licence fee, should you direct to this part of the schedule given the people available to view?
"Why is the money where it is? Is there a way of filling this part of the schedule for less money?"
The BBC is asking itself these questions as part of Putting Quality First, its commitment to cut unnecessary spending and save the corporation billions of pounds.
Other cost-saving ideas under consideration include repeating popular programmes on different channels in the same week.
Thompson said no judgments had been made yet and that it was "unlikely" there would be any proposals for the complete closure of services.