Commentary on Trust's service reviews of BBC One, Two and Four

I am sorry that the publication of the preliminary findings of our Review of BBC1, 2, and 4 sparked so much mischievous negativity in the press last week. It is disheartening for all concerned, particularly when our report finds so much to commend in the current state of all three channels. Jay Hunt, Janice Hadlow and Richard Klein are a formidable team of controllers who under the leadership of Jana Bennett have set the Television service on an ambitious course. The BBC Trust welcomes this ambition, as we've highlighted in 3 consecutive Annual Reports that the biggest gap between what the audience expect of the BBC and what they think it delivers lies in the provision of distinctive and fresh programmes. This has been underlined by audience research we undertook for this service review and is reinforced by the feedback we have received from the public during the consultation period.

The views of licence fee payers are a crucial component of this new process which checks how BBC services deliver against the promise laid down publicly in their service licences. These reviews are a requirement of the Charter and they are conducted transparently with findings and supporting evidence all made publicly available. Already our reviews have led to more money for children's programmes, improved accountability for the BBC's online activities, clearer editorial focus at Radio 1 and Radio 2 and, in a theme which is proving common for all the service reviews so far, a greater emphasis on distinctive content.

This latest review of BBC1, 2 and 4 acknowledges the progress already made in this regard. It specifically recognises BBC1's strong contribution to the delivery of the BBC's public purposes and its renewed commitment to showcase ambitious drama and factual programming at 9pm. On BBC2 we welcome the ambition of much of the new factual output evident over the past year as the channel begins to carve out a clearer identity. We recognise the high quality of BBC4 with its focus on adding depth and specialisation. And we note that the programme mix in Daytime has started to change in pursuit of higher quality and distinctiveness.

But we believe there is further to go. The number of original programme titles broadcast between 7pm and 9pm on BBC1 has halved in the last 5 years as the schedule has been streamlined. We have asked the BBC to look at ways in which more variety and surprise can be added to pre watershed peak, mindful of the success of such initiatives in the past as the stripped serialisations of The Diary of Ann Frank and Bleak House. We fully endorse management proposals to "re-establish BBC2's reputation as the home of intelligent and ambitious drama, comedy and factual", and in the light of that to refocus BBC4's remit with a view to increasing its impact. Crucially we endorse this strategy even at the risk of BBC2 reaching fewer viewers.

Our review is rooted in what licence fee payers tell us. They are clear about their expectations of the BBC, they admire and enjoy much of its output on radio and television, but they recognise that the privilege of the licence fee carries responsibilities that go beyond what might be expected from the market. When it comes to innovation, fresh ideas and new talent they expect the BBC to lead.