CBBC and BBC Four will no longer air on television and will move online under new plans announced by The BBC today.
The changes will save The BBC £2 million a year and come as part of their reorganisation of services which will prioritise digital platforms.
In a statement, director-general Tim Davie said that The BBC must “evolve faster and embrace the huge shifts in the market around us”.
He added, “This is our moment to build a digital-first BBC, something genuinely new, a Reithian organisation for the digital age, a positive force for the UK and the world. Independent, impartial, constantly innovating and serving all. A fresh, new, global digital media organisation which has never been seen before.
“We are moving decisively to a largely on-demand world.”
CBBC first launched in 2002 and was a hub for children’s television. Airing until 7pm, CBBC offered children hours of entertainment from shows like Kerching, Mona the Vampire, Stupid, The Story of Tracy Beaker, Blue Peter, Arthur and Dick and Dom in da Bungalow.
BBC Four also launched in 2002 and offered arts, science, drama and documentary programming.
Boris Johnson’s spokesman said today, “The prime minister is firmly of the view that the BBC is a world-class broadcaster, but like other broadcasters one that needs to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.”
The plans are expected to come in place in 2025 at the earliest.
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