Somewhat controversial plans to reduce the amount of live music on BBC Radio 3 have been attacked by MPs on both sides of the Commons, with accusations that bosses at the Beeb's classical station are looking to dumb down their programming with their latest proposals. The proposed cutback on the number of live concert broadcasts is especially contentious, even though BBC bosses argue that they would actually broadcast more bespoke concerts under the new system, but with an increased reliance on pre-recorded events.
Conservative MP Michael Fallon asked this week: "Isn't this yet another example of cultural dumbing down which will reduce listener choice?", while Labour MP John Robertson urged Culture Minister Shaun Woodward to "have a word" with the BBC about its commitment (or lack of) to regional live music. However, Woodward said that under the station's service licence, issued on Monday, it is required to ensure that 50% of its music output consists of live or specially recorded music, with at least 500 such events to be broadcast each year, an obligation of which the Culture Minister said: "I think that is a very noble objective for the BBC and I think it does safeguard the problems you worry about".