Govt urges BBC to become 'more distinctive'

London

THE BBC will face external regulation for the first time in its 94-year history, the government said on Thursday, subjecting it to tighter scrutiny but stopping short of the heavy-handed intervention that some stars and programme-makers had feared.

In a once-in-a-decade review of a treasured national institution, the government said the BBC must become more distinctive and avoid aping its commercial radio and TV rivals.

"We will place a requirement to provide distinctive content and service at the heart of the BBC's overall core mission of informing, educating…