BBC Three: Trust to consult public over proposed closure

Lord Hall said younger and less affluent audiences would benefit from the broadcaster's move online

The BBC Trust is to launch a full public consultation over the proposed closure of BBC Three in the New Year, it has been announced.

Licence fee payers and audience groups will be given a chance to respond to the plans, which will be published in full on the Trust website.

A timetable for the process will also be unveiled.

Plans to make the channel an online-only proposition were announced by BBC director general Tony Hall in March.

Making the service only available on iPlayer from autumn 2015 will see the channel's budget slashed by £60m.

The move will also make way for the creation of a BBC One+1 service and an extension of CBBC's evening schedule.

The Trust has said that this represents a significant change to UK public services, so will be subject to a public value test, enabling viewers to have their say on the proposals.

Media watchdog Ofcom will also conduct a market impact assessment of the planned changes.

The Trust has said that its "priority throughout will be to listen to the views of audiences and stakeholders".