The facade of the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Barriers near to the main entrance of the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

BBC workers place barriers near to the main entrance of the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

BBC workers place barriers near to the main entrance of the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

BBC workers place barriers near to the main entrance of the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

BBC workers place barriers near to the main entrance of the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

BBC workers place barriers near to the main entrance of the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

BBC workers place barriers near to the main entrance of the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

A television news camera points at the main entrance to the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

The main entrance to the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

The BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. - Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016.REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

The main entrance to the BBC headquarters and studios in Portland Place, London, Britain, July 16, 2015. - Britain's newly-elected Conservative government suggested the BBC could become smaller and cheaper on Thursday in the opening salvo of a highly-charged battle for the future of the world's biggest public service broadcaster. Media Secretary John Whittingdale told parliament he would review whether the scale and scope of the BBC was still appropriate as part of a major study ahead of its 10-yearly Charter renewal in 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

BBC newsreader Iain Purdon takes off his headphones after delivering the final BBC World Service news bulletin from BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

The empty newsroom is seen after the final news bulletin was delivered at BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

BBC World Service News Editor Andrew Whitehead takes a photograph of the empty newsroom after the final news bulletin was delivered at BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

A section from a world map is seen marked with foreign correspondent's locations, in the newsroom at BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

Staff applaud after newsreader Iain Purdon delivers the final BBC World Service news bulletin from BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

Broadcast journalists leave BBC Bush House after their final shift in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

A broadcast journalist walks past a world map marked with foreign correspondent's locations, in the newsroom at BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

Photographs of foreign correspondents hang in the stairway at BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

The microphone that newsreader Iain Purdon used to deliver the final BBC World Service news bulletin from BBC Bush House is seen in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

The microphone that newsreader Iain Purdon used to deliver the final BBC World Service news bulletin from BBC Bush House is seen in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

BBC broadcast journalists leave BBC Bush House after their last shift in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT ENTERTAINMENT)

BBC broadcast journalist Bill Ries, who has worked at BBC Bush House for 20 years, answers the phone for the last time in the newsroom at Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT ENTERTAINMENT)

BBC broadcast journalist Catherine Davis (R) says "goodbye newsroom" as she leaves the BBC broadcast newsroom for the last time at Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

BBC broadcast journalists Mairin Mulvey (L), Tish Goldin (C), and Catherine Davis leave BBC Bush House after their last shift in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT ENTERTAINMENT)

BBC World Service Director Peter Horrocks walks down a staircase after the final BBC World Service news bulletin was delivered from BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT ENTERTAINMENT)

BBC newsreader Iain Purdon leaves his desk after delivering the final BBC World Service news bulletin from BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT)

BBC broadcast journalist Wanda Petrusewicz wipes away tears after watching the final BBC World Service news bulletin from BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT ENTERTAINMENT)

BBC newsreader Iain Purdon reacts while delivering the final BBC World Service news bulletin from BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012.At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT ENTERTAINMENT)

BBC broadcast journalists Janet Williams (L) and Catherine Davis linger outside BBC Bush House in central London July 12, 2012. At noon London time Britain slipped silently into a new era of radio history. At the top of the hour, the BBC World Service - once the voice of the British empire - transmitted its last radio news bulletin from its imposing home, Bush House in central London. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA SOCIETY)

BBC staff participate in a vigil for Urunboy Usmonov at the BBC World Service Headquarters in London June 22, 2011. Usmonov, the BBC's correspondent in Tajikistan was detained by security services on June 13 and charged with association of the banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA POLITICS)

BBC journalist and former hostage Alan Johnston participates in a vigil for Urunboy Usmonov at the BBC World Service Headquarters in London June 22, 2011. Usmonov, the BBC's correspondent in Tajikistan was detained by security services on June 13 and charged with association of the banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor (BRITAIN - Tags: MEDIA POLITICS)

BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation May 23, 2005. Britain revered public broadcaster suffered its most serious strike in over a decade curtailing most of its live radio and TV news programming, including the BBC world service.

BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation May 23, 2005. Britain revered public broadcaster suffered its most serious strike in over a decade curtailing most of its live radio and TV news programming, including the BBC world service.

A woman holds a child as BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation May 23, 2005. Britain revered public broadcaster suffered its most serious strike in over a decade curtailing most of its live radio and TV news programming, including the BBC world service.

BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation. BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation May 23, 2005. Britain revered public broadcaster suffered its most serious strike in over a decade curtailing most of its live radio and TV news programming, including the BBC world service. REUTERS/Stephen Hird

A woman holds a child as BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation. A woman holds a child as BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation May 23, 2005. Britain revered public broadcaster suffered its most serious strike in over a decade curtailing most of its live radio and TV news programming, including the BBC world service. REUTERS/Stephen Hird

BBC worker's stand with an inflatable Dalek, a character from the BBC cult science fiction programme Dr Who, as they protest on a picket line at BBC Wales in Cardiff, May 23, 2005. Britain revered public broadcaster suffered its most serious strike in over a decade curtailing most of its live radio and TV news programming, including the BBC world service. REUTERS/Darren Staples DS/RD

BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation. BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation May 23, 2005. Britain revered public broadcaster suffered its most serious strike in over a decade curtailing most of its live radio and TV news programming, including the BBC world service. REUTERS/Stephen Hird

BBC worker's stand with an inflatable Dalek, a character from the BBC cult science fiction programme Dr Who, as they protest on a picket line at BBC Wales in Cardiff, May 23, 2005. Britain revered public broadcaster suffered its most serious strike in over a decade curtailing most of its live radio and TV news programming, including the BBC world service. REUTERS/Darren Staples DS/RD

BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation. BBC workers picket outside Television Centre in London during the 24 hour strike over proposed job cuts in the corporation May 23, 2005. Britain revered public broadcaster suffered its most serious strike in over a decade curtailing most of its live radio and TV news programming, including the BBC world service. REUTERS/Stephen Hird

Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw waits to meet his Russian
counterpart Igor Ivanov for talks at Downing Street in London, March 4,
2003. In a BBC World Service Interview during his visit to London on
Tuesday, Ivanov insisted Moscow would not support any measure
furthering the possibility of war, nor abstain in any future U.N.
(United Nations) Security Council vote on Iraq. REUTERS/Toby Melville

TM/MD/CRB

Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw (L) meets his Russian
counterpart Igor Ivanov for talks at Downing Street in London, March 4,
2003. In a BBC World Service Interview during his visit to London on
Tuesday, Ivanov insisted Moscow would not support any measure
furthering the possibility of war, nor abstain in any future U.N.
(United Nations) Security Council vote on Iraq. REUTERS/Toby Melville

TM/MD/WS

Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw (L) meets his Russian
counterpart Igor Ivanov for talks at Downing Street in London, March 4,
2003. In a BBC World Service Interview during his visit to London on
Tuesday, Ivanov insisted Moscow would not support any measure
furthering the possibility of war, nor abstain in any future U.N.
(United Nations) Security Council vote on Iraq. REUTERS/Toby Melville

TM/MD/WS

Nina Bawden author and survivor of the Potters Bar Rail Crash speaks to
a news conference in London on September 30, 2002. Victims of the crash
are threatening legal action against Railtrack, maintenance firm Jarvis
and the Health and Safety Executive, they have also renewed their calls
for a public inquiry into the cause of the accident. Bawden's husband
Austen Kark a former head of the BBC World Service was killed in the
rail accident. REUTERS/Matt Dunham/Str

JMS/AH

Bank of England chairman Eddie George arrives at Mansion House, London
for a dinner with the banking community, June 15, 2000. George said
January 3, 2002 in an interview due to be broadcast on the BBC World
Service that recent U.S. and European economic indicators suggested the
world economy might be around its low point and could begin to pick up
in the second half of 2002. REUTERS/Jonathan Evans

AS

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair records a radio broadcast with Judy
Swallow from the BBC World Service at Downing Street in London December
19, 2001. The broadcast addressed the imminent deployment of an
estimated 1,500 British troops to Afghanistan who will lead the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the formation of which
is expected to be formally approved at the United Nations on Thursday.
REUTERS/ Michael Stephens/POOL

MS/NMB/AA

Bahzad Bolour (R) shows the Duke of Edinburgh how he transmits Afgan
music to Afganistan during his evening show during the Duke's tour of
the BBC Radio World Service, November 28, 2001. The Duke took special
interest in the Pashto and Persian services. REUTERS/Gerry PENNY/POOL

MC/CLH/

British Prime Minister Tony Blair (L) is interviewed by the BBC World
Service's Pashto Service, Afghan reporter Najiba Kasraee (R) and editor
Behrouz Afaghb (2R) for broadcast into Afghanistan and Pakistan at the
Downing Street Cabinet Room in London October 9, 2001. Blair also met
with his top government ministers as he convened his first 'war
cabinet' to discuss the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan.
REUTERS/Dan Chung/POOL

DC/NMB

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is interviewed by the BBC World
Service, Pashto Service, for broadcast into Afghanistan and Pakistan at
the Downing Street Cabinet Room in London October 9, 2001. Blair also
met with his top government ministers as he convened his first 'war
cabinet' to discuss the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan.
REUTERS/Dan Chung/POOL

DC/NMB

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is interviewed by the BBC World
Service Pashto Service's Afgani reporter Najiba Kasraee, for broadcast
into Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Downing Street Cabinet Room in
London October 9, 2001. Blair also met with his top government
ministers as he convened his first 'war cabinet' to discuss the
U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan. REUTERS/Dan Chung/POOL

DC/NMB

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is interviewed by Afghan reporter
Najiba Kasraee of the BBC World Service (not pictured) for broadcast
into Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Downing Street Cabinet Room in
London October 9, 2001. Blair also met with his top government
ministers as he convened his first 'war cabinet' to discuss the
U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan. REUTERS/Dan Chung/POOL

DC/NMB

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is interviewed by Afghan reporter
Najiba Kasraee of the BBC World Service for broadcast into Afghanistan
and Pakistan at the Downing Street Cabinet Room in London October 9,
2001. Blair also met with his top government ministers as he convened
his first 'war cabinet' to discuss the U.S.-led strikes against
Afghanistan. REUTERS/Dan Chung/POOL

DC/NMB

Britain's favourite gardener Alan Titchmarsh poses for photographers after receiving an MBE for services to horticulture and broadcasting from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London June 6. His TV programmes Gardeners' World and Ground Force regularly top the BBC's ratings and, at 51, he also finds time for journalism and writing novels.

PS

Prime Minister of Albania Fatos Nano takes part in a radio interview December 16 during a tour around the headquarters of the BBC World Service at Bush House December 16. Nano, a keen listner to BBC broadcasts, is on a four day visit to Britain.

BRITAIN ALBANIA

Formula One racing commentator Murray Walker sits on a Williams Formula One racing car before the launch of the ITV television network's coverage of the 1997 FIA Formula One World Championship January 27. ITV Sport takes over coverage of the sport in the United Kingdom after 20 years of coverage by Britain's public service broadcaster, the BBC.

SPORT MOTOR-RACING