BBC wants to make Panorama 'warmer'

Panorama is " too demanding" and needs a radical overhaul to make it more " touchy- feely", according to leaked BBC documents.

Proposed changes to the corporation's flagship current affairs programme, which has been running for 50 years, will see it cut by a third to 30 minutes and EastEnders storylines used for inspiration.

While the programme would be shifted from Sunday night to the peak position of 8.30pm on Monday, it would also be under pressure to be "warmer" and more "enjoyable".

Part of the overhaul would also see Fiona Bruce brought in to present lighter stories, with more analytical subjects being handed to Jeremy Paxman.

But staff working on the programme are said to be furious at the proposed change of direction and have demanded the eightpage discussion paper be withdrawn.

The document, prepared for the BBC's head of current affairs Peter Horrocks, says: "Criticisms of Panorama would revolve around the four Ds - that it is too distant, demanding, difficult and didactic. To address this, Panorama should move from an image of distant informer to that of an active agent. It should move from a remote, pedestal position of 'lecturer' to a 'touch it, reach it, feel it guide'. It should enable people to feel and experience the truth, not simply observe or 'learn' it."

Panorama, the world's longest-running current affairs programme, has faced repeated accusations of "dumbing down" since 2000 when it was shunted to Sunday evening.

The move was part of a strategy - introduced by the former director of television, Mark Thompson - to drop factual programming from BBC1 in favour of more drama and entertainment .

To howls of protest, the move also saw Mariella Frostrup present an edition on the phenomenon of "reality television", featuring an interview with Big Brother contestant "Nasty" Nick Bateman.

But ratings continued to plunge, with audiences falling to less than two million, and the BBC admitted the move had been a mistake after Mr Thompson moved to Channel 4.

The new plans were drawn up after new BBC chairman Michael Grade, under pressure from the Government over the renewal of its charter, demanded executives reassess the prominence of current affairs on BBC1. The new slot would see Panorama up against Coronation Street on ITV1.

The programme run for 32 weeks a year, with 12 hour-long specials at 9pm on Wednesdays. It would have a budget of ?10 million.

A statement from the BBC to The Guardian said: "This document is one of a number of creative briefs designed to stimulate thinking. No decisions have been taken."