It’s official – the BBC Three channel will soon be shuttered, to be replaced with an online counterpart.
The BBC Trust has today approved proposals that see the on-air channel closed forever.
Instead, the channel will become online-only, in hopes of satisfying BBC Three’s younger audience.
The BBC also confirmed that the channel’s “long-form programmes” will be shown on BBC One and Two.
“
The channel will become solely available from BBC iPlayer starting in February 2016.
Related: Netflix vs Amazon Prime Instant Video
The proposals have been public knowledge since March 2014, when huge cuts saw the channel’s budget reduced from £85 million to just £25 million.
BBC Three has been home to a number of popular shows, including Little Britain, Torchwood, and Gavin and Stacey.
The lion’s share of BBC Three’s audience has typically been under-25s, an audience increasingly turning to the internet for entertainment.
The channel is currently viewed, on average, by around 11.2 million weekly.
(apester:56571b6fb8db3ddc5e800fd6)
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.