BBC Trust

The review will look at the current performance of BBC Parliament and the News Channel - including the stations' quality, distinctiveness and value for money - and the BBC's future plans for the services. There will be an eight week period of consultation, beginning today, when the public will be able to give their views on these services.

Patricia Hodgson, BBC Trustee, who is leading the review for the Trust said:

"News is at the very core of the BBC's public service mission, and the BBC plays an integral role in fostering informed democratic debate in the UK.

"Over nine million viewers watch the News Channel's up-to-the minute coverage of local, UK and international events, every week; a further million tune into BBC Parliament. That means there are a lot of people out there with views on these channels, and we want to hear what they think."

This review is a regular part of the Trust's work and is separate from the Delivering Quality First process, on which the Executive is due to submit formal proposals to the Trust later in the year.

The final report will be published in early 2012.

Notes to Editors

This is the Trust's tenth service review. The eighth, on BBC Wales, BBC Cymru, BBC Scotland, nan Gaidheal and Radio Ulster/Foyle, is scheduled to report soon, and the review of 5 Live and 5 Live Extra is currently underway. Previously the Trust has published service reviews of bbc.co.uk, the BBC's services for children, the BBC's services for young people, Radio 2 and 6 Music, Radio 3, 4 and 7, BBC TV services, Red Button and the BBC's on-demand offerings.

The consultation will be promoted on BBC Parliament and the BBC News Channel.

Timetable

24 May 2011 Start of review and opening of public consultation

19 July 2011 Consultation ends

Autumn 2011 Trust Unit analyses data and prepares report

Early 2012 Report finalised and published by the Trust