Time to move on?

The position of BBC One controller has always been a very high profile job that carries both prestige and a huge element of responsibility, since to many viewers BBC One IS the BBC and often provides the main justification for the existence of the licence fee regardless of how many other sources of entertainment, news and information the BBC provides to the public.

Lorraine Heggessey's style fitted in very well with the populist vision for the channel that was in place when Greg Dyke was director general, but recent events have caused the BBC to move towards a less aggressive public service-orientated approach. The appointment of Roly Keating as BBC Two controller was the strongest sign yet that the BBC's core attitudes have significantly changed.

In my opinion Lorraine Heggessey has been a mixture of good and bad for the channel; overall ratings have been consistently high despite fierce competition from numerous sources, and popular drama has been especially strong under her controllership. But high ratings at any cost are no longer the prime objective, especially under the current (and often hostile) political climate.

However BBC One's peak evening schedule still often lacks imagination, and EastEnders has slumped in popularity which may be related to the introduction of a fourth weekly episode (a lesson that ITV still hasn't learnt). And the channel's identity - including those much-derided dance/movement idents (which aren't doing herself or the BBC any favours) - really needs to be revised at this point in time.

So will she stay or will she go? Despite statements to the contrary, like what happened with Mark Thompson (with relation to Channel 4) I strongly suspect the latter.