BBC to axe 'Grandstand'

The BBC is to axe its long-running sports show 'Grandstand' as part of a review of the network's programming.

'Grandstand' has been running on the BBC since 1958 and presenters have included Frank Bough, David Coleman and Des Lynam.

The long-running show will be phased out by 2009.

The plans are part of the Creative Future strategy, which BBC Director General Mark Thompson unveiled today.

The strategy has been developed to ensure that the BBC's output remains relevant in a digital, on-demand age.

The strategy includes a number of recommendations, including: creating easy access points for audiences via broadband portals around key content areas like sport, music, knowledge building, health and science; creating a new 'teen brand' delivered via existing broadband, TV and radio services; improving the quality of sports and entertainment journalism; creating fewer dramas, focusing on higher quality and higher profile; and developing more comedy pilots and finding more comedy talent.

Mr Thompson will tell the Royal Television Society's Fleming Memorial Lecture tonight: "There's a big shock coming. The second wave of digital will be far more disruptive than the first and the foundations of traditional media will be swept away, taking us beyond broadcasting. The BBC needs a creative response to the amazing, bewildering, exciting and inspiring changes in both technology and expectations.

"On-demand changes everything. It means we need to rethink the way we conceive, commission, produce, package and distribute our content. This isn't about new services, it's about doing what we already do differently.

"The BBC should no longer think of itself as a broadcaster of TV and radio and some new media on the side. We should aim to deliver public service content to our audiences in whatever device makes sense for them, whether they are at home or on the move.

"I see a unique creative opportunity. The new digital world is a better world for public service content than the old one."

(KMcA/CD)