Editing BBC Three (section)

===Replacement by Internet service===
==== Proposal ====
In February 2014 at the Oxford Media Conference, BBC Director-General [[Tony Hall, Baron Hall of Birkenhead|Tony Hall]] stated that as part of the ongoing "Delivering Quality First" initiative at the corporation (which, as motivated by the government freeze of [[Television licensing in the United Kingdom|television license]] fee costs, aims to reach £700 million in cost-savings across the BBC up to the end of the 2016–17 television season),<ref name="guardian-leastworst"/><ref name="guardian-reviewshowmove">{{cite news|title=Review Show moves to BBC4 monthly slot in arts revamp|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/feb/26/review-show-arts-moves-bbc4-monthly|access-date=18 February 2016|work=The Guardian}}</ref> the BBC was in the process of finalizing plans to make another £100 million in cuts to be announced the following month. Believing that general budget cuts across the entire corporation would compromise the quality of its in-house productions—especially [[Television drama|dramas]], which he described as being the "essence" of the BBC—Hall stated that these cuts could require "hard decisions" to be made. He explained that the corporation had "reached the point where salami-slicing would affect quality and distinctiveness. Rather than seek to preserve a less good version of our past, we decided to focus on what we do best: from drama to taking [[BBC iPlayer|iPlayer]] into the next generation."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/feb/26/bbc-channel-extra-cuts-tony-hall|title=BBC could axe frontline channel or service as it seeks extra £100m in cuts|last=Plunkett|first=John|date=26 February 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=5 March 2014}}</ref>

On 5 March 2014, the BBC announced several cost-savings proposals, subject to the approval of the [[BBC Trust]]. Among them were plans to discontinue BBC Three as a television channel, and convert it into an online service.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26447089|title=BBC Three to be axed and move online|date=5 March 2014|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=5 March 2014}}</ref> In its proposal, the BBC stated that while motivated by financial considerations, the conversion was a "future-facing move" that would "develop a ground-breaking new online service which will bring high quality, distinctive UK-originated long form and new form interactive content to 16–34 year olds", and take advantage of the increased use of online services by the channel's target demographics. It was outlined that the service would have to leverage the "strengths" of BBC Three, such as curation, original productions, and "best-in-class storytelling", and adapt them to the "immediacy" and interactivity of digital.<ref name="downloads.bbc.co.uk"/>

As the service would not be bound to the limitations of linear schedules, the scope of the new BBC Three would fall under three "editorial pillars" as opposed to programming genres: "Make Me Laugh" reflects comedic and "personality-driven" programmes, and "Make Me Think" reflects current affairs, drama, and other factual programming. A third pillar, "Give Me a Voice", reflects that the service's content would be of topical interest to the 16–34 year-old demographic, and would encourage discussion and participation especially via [[social media]].<ref name="downloads.bbc.co.uk"/> The overall programming budget of the service would be reduced by nearly half in comparison to the BBC Three channel. While it would have a larger focus on short-form [[web series]], the service planned to continue investments into commissioning long-form programmes and "comedy at near current levels", and serving as an incubator for new talent. The service's output would primarily be delivered through iPlayer, but plans called for a revamped "branded space" to showcase the content, as well distributing short-form productions via alternative outlets such as [[YouTube]].<ref name="downloads.bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/review_report_research/service_changes/bbc_three_application.pdf |title=Public Value Assessment of the re-invention of BBC Three online and related proposals |publisher=BBC |access-date=27 December 2015}}</ref>

When the BBC revealed the full detail in December 2014, it admitted there was widespread opposition from BBC Three viewers<ref name="downloads.bbc.co.uk"/> but said there was support for the wider package of proposals. They believed the public welcomed a BBC One +1 as it admits "a vast majority of viewing still takes place on linear channels".<ref name="downloads.bbc.co.uk"/> The "Save BBC Three'" campaign pointed out this was a contradiction to what the BBC said about BBC Three.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/review_report_research/service_changes/pva/public_consultation.pdf |title=BBC Trust Public Value Assessment Public Consultation Report |publisher=BBC |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105083642/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/review_report_research/service_changes/pva/public_consultation.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[BBC Trust]] began a 28-day public consultation regarding the plans on 20 January 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/2015/bbc_three_proposals|title=Trust begins public consultation on BBC Three proposals|date=20 January 2015|publisher=BBC Trust|access-date=26 January 2022|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126220538/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/2015/bbc_three_proposals|url-status=live}}</ref> and it ended with a protest outside [[Broadcasting House]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31509042 |title=Save BBC Three petition delivered to BBC Trust |work=BBC News |date=17 February 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=29 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129121259/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31509042 |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of the consultation a letter of 750 names against the move from the creative industry was sent to the BBC Trust, and this had the backing of a number of celebrities including [[Daniel Radcliffe]], [[Aidan Turner]], [[Olivia Colman]] and [[Lena Headey]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Midgley |first=Neil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jun/08/save-bbc3-petition-daniel-radcliffe-lena-headey |title=BBC stars and comics among hundreds calling on broadcaster to save BBC3 |work=The Guardian |date=8 June 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=19 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219073545/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jun/08/save-bbc3-petition-daniel-radcliffe-lena-headey |url-status=live }}</ref> The polling company [[ICM Research|ICM]] concluded a "large majority" of those that replied to the consultation were against the move,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> with respondents particularly concerned about those who cannot stream programming online, the effect of the content budget cuts, and the BBC's own admission the audience numbers would drop.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> [[Jimmy Mulville]] and [[Jon Thoday]] of independent production companies [[Hat Trick Productions]] and Avalon reportedly considered legal action against the Trust if it went ahead with the closure of the channel.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sweney |first=Mark |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/03/bbc3-producers-call-on-culture-secretary-to-launch-review-into-closure |title=BBC3: producers call on culture secretary to launch review into closure |work=The Guardian |date=3 July 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=31 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231105555/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/03/bbc3-producers-call-on-culture-secretary-to-launch-review-into-closure |url-status=live }}</ref> They had previously offered to buy the channel to keep it on television, but the BBC said the channel was not up for sale.<ref>{{cite web |last=Midgely |first=Neil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/17/bbc3-bid-jimmy-mulville-jon-thoday-trust |title=BBC3 bid: Jimmy Mulville and Jon Thoday step up pressure on trust |work=The Guardian |date=17 February 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015 |archive-date=30 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230173851/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/feb/17/bbc3-bid-jimmy-mulville-jon-thoday-trust |url-status=live }}</ref>

Media writer [[Roy Greenslade]] considered the change to be "unquestionably the most sensible or perhaps the least worst" way of cutting costs. While admitting BBC Three's recent success in targeting its demographic and its role as a launchpad for new talent, he argued that BBC Three was "a marginal channel with a small share of the overall television audience", and that "'Hard decisions' are just that. If the BBC is to have any hope of sustaining its quality core output then a sacrifice had to be made."<ref name="guardian-leastworst">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/mar/05/bbc3-tony-hall|title=Tony Hall's axing of BBC3 is the least worst way of saving money|first=Roy|last=Greenslade|work=The Guardian|date=5 March 2014 }}</ref>

==== Approval and launch ====
[[File:BBC Three logo.svg|thumb|Logo from 2016 to 2020.]]
[[File:BBC Three (2020).svg|thumb|230px|Logo used from 2020 to 2021]]
The transition was finalised by the BBC Trust in November 2015. The trust cited the shifting viewing habits of BBC Three's target audience from linear TV to digital services, and that the discontinuation of BBC Three as a television channel would allow the BBC to "deliver more distinctive content online, while bearing down on costs". Conditions were imposed on other BBC properties to complement the changes; [[BBC One]] and [[BBC Two|Two]] were required to develop "distinctive programmes designed for younger audiences", as well as air repeats of all full-length programmes commissioned for BBC Three. The trust also approved related proposals to allow first-run and third-party content on iPlayer, and extend [[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]]'s broadcast day to 9:00&nbsp;p.m. (CBBC signed off at 7:00&nbsp;p.m. to conserve [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] bandwidth for BBC Three) with a focus on an older youth audience.<ref name="telegraph-parentsconcerns">{{cite news|title=BBC Trust rejects parents' concerns over keeping CBBC on air until 9pm |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/12019648/BBC-Trust-rejects-parents-concerns-over-keeping-CBBC-on-air-until-9pm.html|access-date=17 February 2016|work=Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref name="bbc-3shutdownconditions">{{cite web|title=BBC Trust publishes final decision on proposals for BBC Three, CBBC, iPlayer, BBC One+1|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/2015/service_changes_decision|publisher=BBC|access-date=16 February 2016}}</ref>

On 4 January 2016, it was announced that the new BBC Three digital service would launch on 16 February 2016.<ref name="digitalspy.com">{{cite web|last=Goodacre |first=Kate |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a775348/bbc-three-will-move-online-in-march-2016-as-bbc-trust-approves-plans-to-axe-broadcast-tv-channel/ |title=BBC Three will move online in March 2016 as BBC Trust approves plans to axe broadcast TV channel |publisher=Digital Spy |date=26 November 2015 |access-date=27 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35221706 |title=BBC Three reveals new logo and switchover date |publisher=BBC |date=4 January 2016 |access-date=4 January 2016}}</ref> BBC Three controller Damian Kavanagh explained that the new digital service would feature the "same award-winning programmes freed from the constraints of linear TV", emphasizing the ability to distribute content across "whatever format and platform is most appropriate".<ref name="wired-postreboot"/> Hall described the internal atmosphere surrounding the new BBC Three as being like a "[[startup company|startup]]", explaining that "I love the feeling of going and being with Damian's team. It feels creative, energetic and mischievous as well, just as it should be."<ref name="rt-likeastartup">{{cite web|title=New BBC3 feels "like a start-up" says director general Tony Hall|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-26/new-bbc3-feels-like-a-start-up-says-director-general-tony-hall|website=Radio Times|access-date=15 February 2016}}</ref> Kavanagh felt that the concise "pillars" of BBC Three, combined with its new structure, would give creators more flexibility and immediacy in how they produce content. He explained that "we can allow people to do things that I don't think other broadcasters can really do at the moment—in terms of giving people room to try things and also play around with form in a way we couldn’t have done if we'd stayed on television", with the remainder of the BBC's content ecosystem as a "safety net".<ref name="guardian-onlineonly"/> Kavanagh also emphasized a continued goal to use the service as an incubator for new talent, hoping that it will be remembered as "the place that spotted the next [[James Corden]], the next [[Aidan Turner]], the next whoever."<ref name="rt-likeastartup"/>

On 13 February 2016, prior to the service's launch, it was reported that the BBC was considering merging BBC Three and [[BBC Radio 1]] under unified management if the digital BBC Three service is not successful. Kavanagh stated that he himself was unaware of this proposal, but added that BBC Three was "a really powerful youth brand with 13 years' heritage" and that he "[didn't] see the logic in winding down something that has that audience, and has that badge of quality, and has that heritage."<ref name="bbc-rd13merge">{{cite news|title='Merger plan' for BBC Three and Radio One|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35566451|access-date=15 February 2016|work=BBC News}}</ref>

The BBC Three television channel formally signed off during the late-night evening of 15 February 2016, concurrent with the official re-launch of the new BBC Three a day later. The last programme aired was an episode of ''[[Gavin & Stacey]]'', introduced by its co-star [[James Corden]] from the set of his then current U.S. chat show ''[[The Late Late Show with James Corden|The Late Late Show]]'' in Los Angeles. The channel space continued to carry promotional information regarding the BBC Three online service, as well as a marathon of selected programmes from midnight, until it officially shut down on 31 March 2016.<ref name="guardian-onlineonly"/><ref name="dspy-finalshow">{{cite web|title=James Corden bids farewell to BBC Three with a heartfelt message: 'It took a chance on Gavin & Stacey'|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a783648/james-corden-bids-farewell-to-bbc-three-with-a-heartfelt-message-it-took-a-chance-on-gavin-stacey/|website=Digital Spy|date=15 February 2016 |access-date=16 February 2016}}</ref>