BBC4 reported to have axed comedy and drama as part of budget cuts
As part of the BBC’s budget cuts, BBC4 will cut all comedy and drama programmes in favour of a focus on the arts.
According to MediaGuardian, the digital channel, which produced one-off dramas Eric and Ernie and The Road to Coronation Street, will now focus on arts programming as part of the BBC’s plans to save 20% of its budget following a freeze placed on the licence fee.
The report claims that the BBC's new director of vision, George Entwistle, wants the channel to be more "sharply defined".
A spokeswoman for BBC4 controller Richard Klein said: "BBC4 has always had a strong backbone of arts, music, culture and knowledge programming.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the BBC described the report as “speculative” as said that no decisions had been taken.