Chairman's remarks on publication of BBC Annual Report and Accounts for 2015/16

Today we publish our Annual Report and Accounts and I’m delighted to report that the BBC’s reach has remained almost universal. 96% of UK adults continue to use the BBC every week - remarkable given the variety of new media, devices and platforms competing for people’s attention.

Audiences have enjoyed an impressive roster of content, including outstanding, distinctive new dramas such as The Night Manager.

Public appreciation of the BBC’s services remains very high. The Trust’s purpose remit survey which has tracked the public perception since 2008 – shows long-term impressions of the BBC have improved further.

But no organisation can stand still – and the BBC is no exception.

This year, BBC Trust approved plans to move BBC Three online and the BBC continued to innovate, launching a range of new apps and content.

The Trust also set out its initial thinking on BBC Studios, potentially the biggest shake up of BBC production in its history – although further regulatory assessment will need to come.

And there has been a wide ranging debate about the BBC’s future as part of Charter Renewal – including a tremendous response from the public, with over 50,000 responses to the Trust’s consultations, and 190,000 to the Government’s.

Challenges

That’s not to say there is not still more to do.

The BBC must continue to work hard to represent all audiences. Reaching younger audiences remains an important challenge, as does serving audiences in the nations and regions of the UK. These will be key focuses in the year ahead.

The BBC also faces a future with less money. This will require tough decisions and even greater efficiency and you have already started to see some of this.

Collaboration and Partnerships will be a key component - an opportunity to make our funding go further. I want it to be an area in which the BBC excels, sharing our resources and working with partners and players across the industry, as the BBC did this year with the micro:bit.

And thirdly, the BBC must address the issues raised - so thoroughly but painfully - by Dame Janet Smith in her report.

This was a very dark chapter in the BBC’s history.

I want to reiterate our absolute commitment to confronting the failings of our past and doing everything possible on behalf of the survivors of Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall to ensure these terrible events cannot be repeated.

We accepted Dame Janet's recommendations in full and the Trust has been receiving monthly updates from The Executive.

Today they have published a report on their progress.

We are confident Tony and his Executive team are taking all appropriate steps to bring about the substantial and permanent change necessary.

And you should expect this to remain an area of the intense focus.

BBC Board

These are significant challenges for the BBC and its new Board.

It’s essential that the new unitary Board has the right people with the right mix of skills to support Tony and his team in tackling these challenges. And ensuring the BBC meets its mission ever more boldly, ambitiously, distinctively and creatively.

We are currently in negotiations with the Government about the appointments process.

I am focused on ensuring the Board is in place and operating effectively as soon as possible.

This year will see the closure of the Trust after ten years of service on behalf of licence fee payers.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my fellow Trustees and the Trust Unit staff who have shown dedication, skill and professionalism - and never more so in the recent months of uncertainty.

Finally, throughout Charter Review, we have been focused on ensuring the views of the public – who pay for the BBC – are heard.

The new Board will need to continue to be their representative.

The public have been clear that they want a strong BBC, a BBC that delivers something for everyone, that informs, educates and entertains, and a BBC that above all else is independent – editorially, creatively, financially. 

I have said before that I welcome much of the White Paper – the government clearly listened to the public. And I am determined that as we work through the details of the new Charter and Agreement that their views continue to be properly reflected.