BBC Three is set to permanently disappear from our television schedules and become an online-only service after approval for the switchover was given by the BBC Trust.
The channel which is popular with 16-25 year olds and home to such hit shows as Gavin and Stacey and Snog, Marry, Avoid, is going online as part of a cost-cutting exercise. The BBC said it hoped the change would save it around £30 million a year and would help make the channel more distinctive.
The BBC trust today backed the move but set several conditions, including a commitment from BBC One and Two to broadcast more BBC Three programmes aimed at 16-34 year olds.
The news is bad news for campaigners who have battled to keep the UK youth channel on-air. Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, Broadchurch actress Olivia Colman and Poldark's Aidan Turner are among those who have signed an open letter on the issue. 290,000 others signed a petition to save the channel.
BBC Three could close as soon as the end of this year with the move online set to become permanent from January 2016.
