Our Aim

BBC One is the UK's most popular channel. We need to continually innovate to ensure we remain a favourite channel for most people, most of the time.

BBC One has history and heritage with a unique ability to bring the nation together. Its relationship with its audience is one that has been nurtured over many decades. We want to continue to appeal to our existing audiences while opening out to reach a younger, more contemporary Britain.

Our vision for BBC One is to become more distinctive, diverse and ambitious. We have to be competitive, but that doesn't mean we shy away from taking risks. As well as bringing brand new shows to BBC One we work closely with BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four to develop key talent and migrate exciting new formats across to entertain a mainstream audience.

BBC ONE needs to be a platform for the best talent. We have a strong family of talent already, but it will always need to be refreshed to reflect a modern, diverse Britain, and to appeal to all sections of the audience.

Programmes for BBC ONE

BBC ONE strives for the best production values, the best story-telling and the best talent across all genres.

Drama

BBC One drama is distinctive, with ambitious period pieces such as The Diary of Anne Frank and contemporary series like Criminal Justice drawing in large heartland audiences. Merlin successfully reached out to families and Spooks, Hustle and Ashes to Ashes appealed to younger viewers - a priority for BBC One.

Entertainment

Entertainment is at the core of BBC One. It's also one of the hardest and most challenging genres to succeed in. Alongside the continued success of favourites such as Strictly Come Dancing and the Masterchef portfolio we've had hits with new formats such as Hole in the Wall and Total Wipeout, bringing a different feel to Saturday evenings. We want more entertainment formats that feel new, original and 'must see'.

Comedy

Comedy is a priority for BBC One. My Family continues to be an outstanding success as has Gavin and Stacey bringing younger viewers to BBC One. We've also continued to innovate. The part-improvised Outnumbered is an example of a fresh, original approach to sitcom and has attracted much critical acclaim.

Factual

BBC One offers the broadest range of content within factual programming - from history and religion to science and the arts - and we will continue to do so. Again, innovation is important with Tiger Spy in The Jungle and Lost Land of the Jaguar bringing new audiences to natural history. With the outstanding success of Stephen Fry in America and Who Do You Think You Are? we are looking for more popular factual formats with broad appeal.

Current Affairs

BBC One brings current affairs to a primetime audience with Panorama on a Monday night. Panorama's special investigations such as Primark: On The Rack had real impact and brought about change, as did the documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed. We will continue to innovate in popular current affairs and empowering consumer journalism whether it's in the form of one-off documentaries or strands such as Countryfile and The One Show.

The Tone of The Channel

BBC One needs to feel modern, reflecting and enriching the diverse lives of people living in contemporary Britain. The tone of the channel should be warm and accessible at the same time as being current and topical. Our content has to continue to refresh and innovate to surprise and delight our heartland whilst extending our reach to new audiences.

Our Audience

BBC One is the shop window for BBC TV and must appeal to a mainstream audience.

However, BBC One should try more often, more determinedly, to broaden its appeal to a younger audience; to find programmes that appeal across the board.

Broadly speaking, in an age where many people feel that tastes are diverging, BBC One needs to be the place where they converge.

Page last updated 24 June 2009