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'I’ve never seen Tony Hall as aggressive'

Culture, Media and Sport Secretary John Whittingdale is to publish a green paper expected to propose a much smaller ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½.

Among the ideas expected to be unveiled is a call for the corporation to stop making some popular television programmes, focusing instead on its public service remit.

The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ had come out fighting ahead of the consultation, said media consultant Steve Hewlett.

"I’ve never seen [ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Director General] Tony Hall as aggressive as he’s been this week," said Mr Hewlett, who presents The Media Show on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4.

A balance needed to be struck, as the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ had a crucial role in the ecology of the UK's programme making, he added.

"Would the private sector have made Bake Off? Would the private sector have made Strictly Come Dancing?â€

"You might not like [ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s] The Voice, but I can tell you [ITV's] The X Factor is better as a result."

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