If BBC3 was allowed to keep its hits, perhaps it wouldn't be getting booted online

So BBC3 will be online-only from next autumn. If the Beeb had presented this news as the channel being the first one to take the daring step of migrating to the internet, instead of it being booted out to save the likes of BBC4, perhaps BBC3 fans would be feeling less aggrieved. After all, as companies like Netflix demonstrate, the future of TV is probably on the web. Linear channels are just so, well, linear and old-fashioned.

The Beeb says the move is part of its cost-cutting, and will result in £30 million more for BBC1 (presumably enough to replenish Sherlock’s coat supply). I had hoped that, as a consequence, our licence fees would also be cut, but apparently not. Instead, the BBC is now proposing that its fee be pegged to inflation. Hopefully, the inflation index it uses won’t include London house prices, or we are done for.