BBC to close more websites

The BBC has said it will shut down more websites this year as it focuses on core public service commitments.

Responding to the official review of the BBC's online services, BBC governors promised closer collaboration with industry through more independent commissions, comprehensive links to external sites and a simplified feedback service for users.

The corporation aims to spend at least 25 per cent of its content and services budget on independent commissions by the end of 2006.

BBC new media director Ashley Highfield hailed the changes as a new era for bbc.co.uk, despite the announcement that more BBC sites would close before Christmas.

Those funds would instead be spent on projects closer to the BBC's core purpose, with highest priority given to projects that promote democracy and education.

BBC chairman Michael Grade outlined the new focus for BBC.co.uk in a speech to the CBI yesterday.

"The BBC has played a key role in driving adoption of the web and in the evolution of the vibrant online market we have stimulated," he said.

"Today we are publishing new, much more tightly drawn objectives. They focus on how bbc.co.uk can be made more distinctive and deliver more public value, in this developing and growing market."

In July, the BBC closed five sites including surfing, fantasy football and its games portal. Parenting, lifestyle and science and nature sites were also slimmed down.

Former Trinity Mirror executive Philip Graf was commissioned by the government to carry out a detailed review of the BBC's online services in August 2003, and completed his report in May this year.

BBC governors will commission a further independent review of BBC.co.uk in 2007.

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