Bazalgette: Sell off C4, BBC Radio 1 & 2



The man who brought Big Brother to the UK has called for Channel 4 and BBC Radio 1 and 2 to be privatised.

Peter Bazalgette, former chief executive of Endemol UK, last night said public service broadcasting needed a radical overhaul rather than piecemeal change.

"We've all been facing in the wrong direction and obsessing with the institutions of the old world," he said. "Let's turn round, face the new world and start to imagine the possibilities."

Bazalgette said funding for public service content should be thrown open to everyone from theatres and museums to individuals who want to make programmes.

He proposed the creation of a public service internet media player, which he dubbed Boggle.

"The next generation of comedy talent would post their videos - the most-watched would then earn a Boggle bursary," he told a Royal Television Society dinner. "Anyone could post their music on the site and the most listened-to would attract some Boggle funding. Boggle would link the existing offerings of museums, galleries, theatre companies, opera houses and concert halls."

He said funding should come from selling off BBC Radio 1, 2 and commercial arm BBC Worldwide; ending ITV and Five's PSB obligations, and making them pay for ********; underspend on digital switchover; and privatising Channel 4 with preserved public service duties.

Bazalgette, who made his name creating shows such as Changing Rooms and is a former Channel 4 board member, said giving the broadcaster public money - as it has requested - would compromise its risk-taking attitude.

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