BBC director general Tony Hall has said that axing the roles of BBC1 and BBC2 controller and putting Charlotte Moore in charge of all broadcast channels was driven by the need to cut costs and simplify the corporation’s structure.
“I’m not going to say how much, but it will save money and it will be simpler,” Hall said on Tuesday after appearing at an industry event to encourage diversity in the media.
Adding that the move was “not about diminishing” BBC1 or BBC2, he heaped praise on Moore and said he was working on creating a simpler structure.
The corporation is looking to announce a further £550m of cost cuts this spring ahead of a government white paper on renewing its royal charter.
“This is going to make the identities of BBC1 and BBC2 clearer,” he said. “It will be much much stronger for the BBC. A simpler organisation is key and I really thing Charlotte is going to be really brilliant.”
The decision not to advertise such a big role in the publicly funded broadcaster has been criticised but Hall said: “We had two outstanding candidates – that’s why we didn’t go outside in this case.”
He praised BBC acting director of television Mark Linsey but refused to say whether he would replace Danny Cohen permanently. “There will be a director of television but I won’t get into quite what those responsibilities are,” he said. “[It will be] someone who can make sense of the world we are now facing.”
BBC Trust chair Rona Fairhead, who was in front of the Commons culture media and sport select committee immediately after the announcement, said the changes were an example of the greater efficiencies that MPs had been asking for.
“This is an example of what you are seeing, which you’ve been asking for, which is more efficient decision making ... It’s along the lines of what you are looking for which is more consolidation of roles.”
Asked about reports that the Chris Evans-fronted relaunch of Top Gear was facing problems, Hall said outgoing controller of BBC2 Kim Shillinglaw had “done a great job” but added “Charlotte is an an extraordinarily creative talent. I have complete confidence in her making sure we have something really sparky coming out of Top Gear.”
Hall went on to suggest that it would be easier to move programmes around between channels.
“The move is about better planning and coordination between BBC1 and BBC2,” he said. “We want BBC2 to be a great reputational place where experimentation can take place.”
As controller of BBC1, Moore commissioned Peter Kay to launch his new sitcom Car Share on iPlayer.
