BBC to defend light entertainment

The BBC will this morning defend its right to continue making popular light entertainment programmes. 

In a response to a UK Government paper on the broadcaster's future, due to be published this morning, the corporation will argue that the British public "wants and expects the BBC to deliver entertainment", including shows such as Strictly Come Dancing. 

It follows a public consultation launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport into the future of the BBC, including issues such as funding, what content it should produce and how it is regulated. 

This coincides with the corporation’s charter renewal.

At the launch of the review in July, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale hinted at a possible downsizing of the corporation by saying it was time to look at the "size and ambition of the BBC". 

He told delegates at the Tory conference that over 80,000 people had now responded to the consultation. 

The BBC response is set to be around 100 pages long and set out restructuring plans, including greater emphasis on raising revenue through its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide. 

The Scottish Government has pushed for a more federal model as part of the corporation’s charter renewal.