[interestednovice]

BBC Switch was arguably an interesting experiment to try and target the inbetween demographic of CBBC and BBC Three, with both of them being heavily promoted on BBC Switch.

I'm more surprised that the 12-16 slots of BBC Three aren't so much branded as such (nor are they really presented as the zone for that audience, with little bits of "The Next Step" here and there, plus a new show that's produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family but shifted to BBC Three instead of CBBC).

There could be an argument that should the closure of CBBC go ahead that BBC3 should go 24/7 with a CBBC slot within the day (but not all day) and a teen slot in the early evening, but I guess with BBC4 in the firing line the plan is to lose one stream and have CBeebies and BBC3 share one stream.

Saving one stream is exactly the reason, as it means a reduction in distribution and playout costs.

They could always merge BBC Alba and BBC Scotland in to one stream - since BBC Scotland simply simulcasts BBC Two all day and only broadcasts in the evening, how about a proper closedown and Alba could air during the day?

That would also save one stream and impact far fewer viewers, but what do I know? They could also merge the two channels and broadcast programmes, as far as possible, with dual audio tracks. That way, unlike a closedown, they could be more flexible with timings. Again, it would save a stream.

If they were really desperate, BBC Two could become an evening-only service as BBC Three and Four already are - it just simulcasts the BBC News Channel and repeats old BBC One daytime fare already anyway, so why not?

The BBC is really bad at underserving certain audiences and super-serving others. Children deserve some linear outlet.

BBC Four is also, by the way, very cheap to run considering the value of “just switch it on” linear TV to the viewer - especially the elderly viewer who is more likely to enjoy BBC Four. Closing it would be another mistake.

They could even save on some distribution costs by removing the “stream” of BBC Red Button and just having ad-hoc online video coverage hosted through iPlayer instead. Perhaps even have the stream but iPlayer-exclusive. Again, a distribution saving without needing to close a proper channel.