BBC Three TV channel to close in February

The BBC Three TV channel will be shut down early next year and become an online-only channel, after the cost-cutting measure was approved by the BBC Trust.

The Trust's final decision will see a partial demise of the channel that brought viewers Gavin And Stacey, Don't Tell The Bride, and The Mighty Boosh.

The Mighty Boosh first appeared on TV thanks to BBC Three. Credit: PA

Arts and culture content from events like Glastonbury Festival also featured on the youth-oriented channel.

It will begin the transition to online-only in February with the TV channel remaining until March, the trust say.

The trust acknowledged the strength of public opposition to the closure of the TV channel but considered that the proposal had "intuitive force", saying that the long-term future of broadcasting "seems likely online".

It said:

As a condition of the TV channel's closure, BBC One and Two will be required to show BBC Three programmes.

In September, BBC Director General Tony Hall announced plans for the "Open BBC", which included a network of "public service reporters" shared with local news providers and warned of further cuts to the corporation's output.