Jowell appoints duo to review BBC digital services

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has appointed Patrick Barwise and Tim Gardam to conduct individual reviews on the BBC's new digital television and radio services.

Patrick Barwise, Professor of Management and Marketing at London Business School, will lead the review of the BBC's new digital television services, which will look at the TV channels BBC3, BBC4, Cbeebies and CBBC. Tim Gardam, the former Director of Television and Director of Programmes at Channel 4, will lead the review of the BBC's new digital radio services, 1Xtra, BBC6, BBC7, BBC Asian Network and Five Live Sports Extra.

Patrick Barwise said: "This review of the BBC's digital television services comes at an important time in the context of Charter Review and Ofcom's review of public service television. I am committed to conducting a thorough and vigorous review of all four services. I also very much look forward to working with Tim Gardam, who will be reviewing the digital radio services."

Tim Gardam said: "The success of digital radio will be a vital factor in the Government's overall digital strategy and in the future of the BBC. I look forward to working with Patrick Barwise, and I hope that together we can produce coherent recommendations to further both of these services. Though it remains early days for these services, the perceptions of the audience will also be an important factor. I can assure all involved that this will be an open minded and vigorous review and it will, I hope, be a useful contribution to the debate on Charter Review."

Beginning immediately, the reviews will run concurrently and will involve a period of public consultation, which started Friday April 30 and will end on Friday June 11. Both reviews will include market impact assessments. Ofcom will also contribute to the review process. The findings from the final reports will feed into the current review of the BBC's Charter.

Announcing the review, the Culture Secretary said: "The BBC has wholeheartedly embraced the digital revolution. But while licence fee payers rightly expect their major public service broadcaster to be at the forefront of a rapidly changing broadcasting ecology, they also expect the Government to ensure that the Corporation fulfils its public service remit. These reviews will help us ensure that balance is being struck.

"I have every confidence that Patrick Barwise and Tim Gardam's considerable experience will lead to reviews that are both wide-ranging and thorough."

The BBC has already submitted a report on the new digital television and radio services to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Considered as part of both reviews the report is available on the DCMS website www.culture.gov.uk .

By the end of August 2004, the reviewers will submit separate full reports to the Secretary of State, which will be published by the DCMS.

(SP)