BBC overhaul: Who are the winners and losers?

Who are the winners and losers from the government's overhaul of the BBC? Credit: Nick Ansell / PA Wire

The government has announced a 'major overhaul' of the BBC as it set out plans that will see the licence fee continue for at least the next 11 years.

But who are the winners and losers from the changes?

Winners

The BBC has been told to create more programming with under-served minority audiences in mind and shows in minority languages will also be protected.

The government has released it's long-awaited White Paper on the BBC's future. Credit: PA

  • Fans of the BBC's hit programmes, including Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake Off - Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said the BBC should not shy away from being popular and he will not meddle in the scheduling of the broadcaster's best-loved shows.

  • Under-served audiences - A £20 million annual fund will allow other broadcasters and producers to make more public service content, such as programmes for children, Asian and minority ethnic audiences.

  • Welsh and Gaelic speaking audiences - The BBC will build on a new diversity strategy ensuring it continues to provide for minority languages in its partnerships with S4C and MG Alba.

  • Local news outlets - There will be better support from the BBC for local news provision across the UK. The broadcaster has announced plans for a new partnership with the News Media Association to support local journalism, equating to an overall investment of around £8 million a year.

  • New reporters - From 2017, the BBC will fund a new team of 150 reporters employed by qualifying local news organisations to cover local authorities and public services.

  • Ofcom - The watchdog will now regulate all of the BBC, making it even more powerful.

  • The National Audit Office - The NAO will become the financial auditor of the BBC and will have the power to conduct value for money investigations into the BBC's activities.

  • Ministers - They will have the power to appoint six members of the corporation's new governing board.

  • Rona Fairhead - The BBC chairman will stay on to chair the new board, and will have the right to nominate up to eight members of the body.

  • BBC World Service - Its annual funding will be protected and £289 million of additional Government funding over the Spending Review period will be made available, as announced by the Chancellor last year.

Losers

People who enjoy BBC content on the iPlayer but are not a fan of the license fee will now have to pay to see their favourite shows just like everyone else.

BBC iPlayer users who do not own a TV license will now have to get one. Credit: Andrew Matthews / PA Wire

  • BBC Trust - It will be abolished and replaced with a unitary board overseeing editorial matters and the BBC will be regulated by media watchdog Ofcom.

  • Top BBC talent - The salaries of those earning more than £450,000 will be made public. It is expected that Chris Evans, Gary Lineker and Graham Norton will all have their earnings disclosed.

  • IPlayer users without a TV licence - The so-called iPlayer loophole will be closed and those who watch BBC programmes on demand will now need a TV licence like everyone else.

  • In-house productions - The 50% of BBC content that is produced in-house will no longer be guaranteed, except for news and related current affairs output. All productions will be tendered unless there is a financial exception.