'There should be more pressure in place,' says Andy Duncan – after BBC had failed to reach a partnership with Channel 4
Former Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan has said the BBC should be set targets to ensure it meets its commitments to create partnerships with rival broadcasters.
Speaking at the Oxford Media Convention, Duncan, one of the architects of a plan to set up a joint venture between the BBC and Channel 4, which has still not come to fruition, said: 'There should be more pressure on the BBC. A proper framework should be put in place ... A bit like the indie quota system.
'The corporation is obliged to commission a certain number of shows from independent production companies. BBC managers must answer to the BBC Trust if that target is not met.'
His comments about the BBC will be interprated as a broadside against BBC management, who have so far failed to reach a partnership deal with Channel 4.
Duncan insisted he was 'philosophical' about the lack of an agreement and emphasised that his successor may yet agree one, but added that many of the BBC's partnership proposals have 'come to nothing'.
In Duncan's first speech since he stepped down as chief executive, he berated politicians, policymakers and industry executives, accusing them of failing to rise to the challenges posed by the digital age.
Speaking to MediaGuardian.co.uk after his speech, Duncan said: 'The problem is the government policy cycle is quite slow, the civil service policy cycle is quite slow and the broadcasting policy cycle is quite slow'
He said it was 'out of kilter' with the pace of change on the ground. 'We've got to find a quicker way of making decisions'.
Duncan said that some of the goals set out in Lord Carter's Digital Britain report, including universal broadband access, could be 'a really big part of solving some of the economic and social problems we have got'.
He continued: 'None of the main political parties get this point,' before pointing out: 'In the Netherlands, I you want to get your unemployment benefit you have to go online'. He said the internet could be: 'A fantastic way of delivering public services.'
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