However, according to , the Rupert Murdoch owned newspaper, the measures are part of the BBC's strategic review to slash costs.

Mark Thompson, the BBC's Director-General will also introduce a cap on spending on broadcast rights for sports events of 8.5 per cent of the licence fee, or about £300 million, according to the newspaper. BBC Switch and Blast! aimed at young people also face the chop the report claims with a 25 per cent cut planned in the BBC's £112m online budget.

Radio 6 Music and BBC Asian Network have been rumoured to be facing closure for some time with Facebook Groups set up to save the specialist stations. The 6 Music Facebook group currently has 57,000 plus members.

The controversial report is being considered by the corporation's governing body, the BBC Trust, and is due to be made public next month the Times adds.