The BBC has been ordered to revamp its online unit after a report found that some of its Internet offerings compete too closely with commercial websites.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has given the publicly funded broadcaster four months to redefine its remit for online services after the findings by former Trinity Mirror chief Philip Graf were released on Monday.
Graf singled out BBC Online's fantasy football and entertainment listings, saying they were not "sufficiently distinctive from commercial alternatives, or were inadequately associated with public service purposes."
The BBC said it would close the fantasy football and entertainment sites, as well as sites dedicated to surfing, online games and soap operas.
The move comes with the BBC's governing charter under review, as the broadcaster struggles to regain its footing after a damaging row with government over its coverage of Iraq.
Media companies have long complained that the BBC -- funded by a mandatory licence fee on television users -- unfairly competes with the private sector.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has given the publicly funded broadcaster four months to redefine its remit for online services after the findings by former Trinity Mirror chief Philip Graf were released on Monday.
Graf singled out BBC Online's fantasy football and entertainment listings, saying they were not "sufficiently distinctive from commercial alternatives, or were inadequately associated with public service purposes."
The BBC said it would close the fantasy football and entertainment sites, as well as sites dedicated to surfing, online games and soap operas.
The move comes with the BBC's governing charter under review, as the broadcaster struggles to regain its footing after a damaging row with government over its coverage of Iraq.
Media companies have long complained that the BBC -- funded by a mandatory licence fee on television users -- unfairly competes with the private sector.
Unfair? It's unfair of the BBC to compete for the attention of the masses.
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