BBC may ax channels in cost-saving move

LONDON, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Some BBC channels may fade to black as part of the British broadcaster's multiyear, $4 billion cost-saving exercise, the corporation's trust chairman said.

"Radical changes" could be imposed when the trust rules on the cost-saving plan in the fall, Michael Lyon told The Daily Telegraph.

Mark Thompson, BBC director general, is finalizing his proposals before presenting them to the trust Sept. 19. The panel is expected to decide on the cost-cutting package Oct. 17.

Rumors have been floating about whether BBC3 and BBC4 would be axed, the British newspaper said Thursday.

The BBC must save roughly $4 billion over budget years 2007-2013 to narrow the gap between its funding proposal and the actual amount it was awarded in January's license fee settlement.

While terminating an entire channel isn't believed to be on Thompson's list, Lyons didn't rule out the option.

"Have we ruled out radical changes? No, we haven't," he told the newspaper. "It is about what you can afford to do with the money you've got."

Lyons also pledged to ensure the BBC would improved its standards.