The Trust yesterday published its review of Radios 3, 4 and 7. It was a broadly positive overview in which it said all three stations "are performing very well overall".

"They have passionate and loyal audiences who greatly appreciate the high-quality and distinctive programming on offer and value the different ways in which these stations contribute to the BBC's public purposes," the report said. "The biggest challenge for all three stations is gradually to extend their core appeal to audiences ...