The BBC is to close down half its website, cut spending on imported US programmes and close two radio stations in an admission it has become too large, a UK newspaper said today.
In a strategic review to be unveiled next month, The Times said the corporation will concede it must give space to its commercial rivals which have been hard hit by an advertising downturn during the recession.
The British Broadcasting Corporation, funded by the licence fee levied on all those in Britain who own a television, regularly comes under fire from rivals and other critics for its alleged unfair dominance.
BBC director general Mark Thompson will announce a cut in its website pages by half, backed by a 25% cut in staff and budget, said the paper. It will further close digital radio stations 6 Music and Asian Network and close outlets that target the teenage market, leaving the area free for rivals.
It will also order its commercial subsidiary BBC Worldwide to focus on activities overseas and get rid of its British magazines arm.
The BBC review comes as all media are struggling to adapt to rapidly changing technology and markets, and some - notably Rupert Murdoch's News Corp - are pledging to end the era of free news online.
