Call for BBC radio privatisation

The European Media Forum says the move would ease pressure on licence payers and boost the commercial radio sector.

The author of the report argued that Radio 1 and 2 offer a minimal public service role.

But the BBC said both radio stations offered diverse music, documentaries and current affairs shows that could not be found in the commercial sector.

It said the stations provided innovative and challenging content that the market would not otherwise provide.

The report said BBC radio in general had undermined commercial rivals with its large budget and ability to cross-promote its networks on other outlets run by the corporation.

Its author said the sale of the radio stations could raise £500m or more, which could be used to boost the BBC's core public service output and rebalance the radio market.