BBC One chief to speak out

Heggessey started at the BBC as a news trainee in 1979

BBC One chief Lorraine Heggessey is set outline her plans for change at the channel in the Bafta lecture on Wednesday.

Ms Hegessey's address is drawing more interest than is usual due to criticisms of BBC output by an ITV executive last month.

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The BBC One controller - the first woman to hold the post - intends to use the opportunity to talk through the highlights of this year's schedule.

In August ITV director of channels, David Liddiment, criticised BBC One for failing to "lead by example" during his speech at the Edinburgh Television Festival.

At the time the BBC dismissed the claims as "headline grabbing" but it is expected that Heggessey will address the accusation by outlining BBC One's strengths.

She is also set to point to "vibrant, dynamic and exciting" upcoming programmes, such as The Blue Planet, Welcome to Britain and Armadillo.

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All these programmes have just been launched for the new season.

BBC One has also recently announced that its overall spending on factual programmes for BBC One is going up by 20%.

Heggessey intends to explain what is being done with this money and why change is high on her agenda.

On Thursday Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell is due to announce whether the BBC gets to go ahead with their proposed digital services.

As such Heggessey will be keen to underline BBC One's commitment to public service broadcasting.

The BBC's plans to launch three youth digital channels and three children's channels.

If these channels do not get the go-ahead, BBC One will be left alone with the aim of building younger audiences.