I don't know whether to believe this is a good thing, or simply the BBC bowing to media pressure.
The talk of reduced pay, reduced output and reduced web presence seems to be giving in and allowing Murdoch to get exactly what he wants, it may not be all of it, but I have no doubt it is a first step in that direction.
So what do you guys think? Good, bad, indifferent?
Between this and the talk of limiting BBC Worldwide's activity and buying in shows other than "Quality shows that the BBC would be happy to show in the UK", I can't help but see this as a set of bad steps all coming so close together.
The talk of reduced pay, reduced output and reduced web presence seems to be giving in and allowing Murdoch to get exactly what he wants, it may not be all of it, but I have no doubt it is a first step in that direction.
The public can expect a "smaller BBC" after the analogue TV signal is switched off in 2012, director general Mark Thompson has said.
Speaking at a Voice of the Listener and Viewer conference in London, Mr Thompson was outlining plans for the BBC's strategic review next year
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He said there would be "reductions in some kinds of programmes and content", including web services.
However, he promised more money would be spent on original British content.
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"Expect to see a further shift of emphasis in favour of key priority areas: The best journalism in the world, high quality programmes and services for children, content of every kind that builds knowledge and shares music and culture and a long-range commitment to outstanding British drama and comedy," Mr Thompson said.
When asked about the future of the BBC's digital radio and television services, Mr Thompson said it would be "slightly counter-intuitive" to close BBC Three and Four while encouraging people to go digital.
But he suggested that services could be "reduced" in a "post-switchover world when people can use services like iPlayer to get content in other ways."
"For example, we've slightly reduced the services on the red button because so many people are able to get interactive services on the web," he said.
Speaking about the BBC website, Mr Thompson said the review would look at "the many millions of pages" and "whether everything needs to be there, is updated and is relevant".
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"The point of the strategy review is to set out a template for a more focused BBC, a BBC that delivers better quality of higher value," Mr Thompson said.
"It may point to a BBC which is smaller in some respects, but no less confident."
Later in an interview on BBC Two's Newsnight programme, he discussed pay plans for his most senior managers - 50 of whom earn more than the prime minister.
'Confidential matters'
He said: "People who come and work for the BBC should expect to earn a lot less in senior management positions than they do elsewhere.
"What we're going to do in the future is look at what the equivalent in the private sector would be and discount it for the most senior managers by 50% to 80%."
So what do you guys think? Good, bad, indifferent?
Between this and the talk of limiting BBC Worldwide's activity and buying in shows other than "Quality shows that the BBC would be happy to show in the UK", I can't help but see this as a set of bad steps all coming so close together.