BBC Three will return as a fully-fledged TV channel in January 2022, six years after it moved online.The channel has since been responsible for major hits including Fleabag, Normal People and Killing Eve - prompting calls for its resurrection.Last year, BBC research concluded there was a "strong case" for it to come back as a regular TV channel, focusing on younger audiences.MP Julian Knight said the move showed the BBC had "failed" those viewers."I question whether putting the clock back five years is the right way to win over 18-35s," said Mr Knight, who chairs the select committee for the department for digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS)."The BBC needs to back success and make sure its programmes reach as many young people as possible wherever they live in the UK," said the BBC's chief content officer, Charlotte Moore."So regardless of the debates about the past, we want to give BBC Three its own broadcast channel again."As announced in the BBC's Annual Plan last year, the channel's budget will also be doubled over the next two years - a decision that was also criticised by Mr Knight, who accused the BBC of putting extra investment into programmes while "those over 75 are being chased to pay up for their TV licences".The BBC ended the provision of free TV licences for most over-75s last year, after the government decided to stop paying for the benefit.When it returns, BBC Three will be targeted at audiences aged 16-34, broadcasting from 19:00 to 04:00 each day.As a result, CBBC's broadcast hours will revert to closing at 19:00 - as was the case before 2016.It currently runs until 21:00. The move will still need approval from media regulator Ofcom before it can go ahead.
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