Substantial changes are needed in the way external content is commissioned for BBC Online, the BBC Trust reported today.

Publishing the findings of a review into the supply of online services to the BBC by the independent sector, the Trust said that while the BBC currently complies with an obligation to commission at least 25 per cent of online services, it needs to be more transparent.

Commissions include website management, web content, games, operational features and editorial contributions.

The Trust review raises concerns around which department has ultimate responsibility for commissioning decisions, which currently works on a collaborative basis between content divisions such as News and the Future Media & Technology department.

"While this approach should, in theory, result in positive outcomes for licence fee payers, it is apparent that agreement between the various divisions cannot always be reached," the review adds.

"This can result in ideas being put on hold, or abandoned, at the later stages of projects, with associated costs to both the BBC and industry."

Today's report followed an announcement by the broadcaster earlier this week that BBC Online is to face restructuring and up to 360 job cuts as part of a 25 per cent budget reduction within the division.

The Trust has now called on the BBC Executive to carry out an "urgent review" into the way external relationships are managed and will report back to the Trust within three months.

Despite the reported success of BBC Online as a service, the Trust says it is "not convinced that the current quota arrangement is contributing to this".

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