Jowell: BBC digital must have more time

The BBC has been given a boost after the culture secretary signalled her support for its digital channels.

Despite poor viewing figures, Tessa Jowell told MPs that she believes the channels can become successful.

The comments come less than a month after an official review slammed the corporation's digital output.

Addressing the culture, media and sport committee Jowell gave an upbeat assessment about the prospects for BBC3 and BBC 4, although she went on to admit that the BBC3 channel had some way to go.

"Among its devotees BBC4 is extremely popular. BBC3 has found it harder to find its identity because its challenge is greater," she said.

"I think you have to give BBC3 rather longer to develop. I think BBC3 is a bigger challenge than BBC4.

"This is one of the answers to justify BBC4. I believe that one of the BBC's many roles is to service the interests, enthusiasm and curiosity of British people where viewing tastes are very different.

"One of the facts about digital channels is that we can't measure their value purely in terms of how many people watch them."

However, she said the corporation would need to consider carefully how it presents itself to the licence fee paying public.

"Sharper definition of the BBC's role and purpose and greater certainty about its scale would quell some of the reasonable fears in other parts of the territory," said Jowell.

Quizzed by MPs she went on to warn that the BBC should not be investing licence payers' money "in those areas already served by commercial forces".