On the other hand, it frees the BBC to some extent from the need to slavishly follow ratings, which has spared us much of the lowest common denominator programming seen in other countries. Arguably, the finest example of all that is good about BBC broadcasting is Radio 4. News, drama, comedy, documentaries, magazines, debates and panels, all are scheduled together in a way which encourages you to tune in and see what comes. The surprising aspect of this is the number of times you discover yourself riveted by a subject which you would never have dreamed could be interesting. One Director General of the BBC said that if it were to be progressively closed down, the last service go should be Radio 4.
Lets just hope it never comes to that.