The arrival of digital technology means that we shall shortly leave a world in which broadcasting frequencies are in short supply to one where they are plentiful. The multiplicity of satellite and cable channels is a foretaste of what is to come. It is not that it is unaware of its special remit; of course not. But its special obligations can only be discharged at the edges of mainstream broadcasting.However, this situation will not last We are living through a revolution in information delivery.

And as competition has increased, first with the arrival of commercial television, then satellite, followed by cable, ratings have become more and more important. In consequence minority interests have been driven to the late hours (thus Midnight Mass or Panorama at 10pm), where they have to compete with popular films that are considered unsuitable for children to watch before the nine o'clock watershed.No amount of lecturing about the BBC's public service duties will change the nature of the marketplace in which the corporation finds itself. The BBC is thus driven to maximise audience share, particularly of television viewers, in order to justify this impost. I hardly ever find orchestral concerts on the box except, sparingly, when the Proms are under way There is scarcely any opera or ballet.

Sports-lovers, too, have much to complain about as the BBC loses the famous events to ITV or Sky. I enjoy Formula One motor racing - but not on BBC television any more. But I notice that Songs of Praise retains its position early on Sunday evenings. Last night on BBC1 at 5.40pm, it comprised Christmas gospel favourites.What the Bishop and the rest of us have to accept is that because of the way in which the BBC is financed, it has a double duty The licence fee payable by all is close to a power to tax. I was sorry to see Panorama moved from 9.30pm to 10pm on Monday evenings.