THE Government is unveiling its White Paper on the future of the BBC.

In the Commons Culture Secretary John Whittingdale says his department is "emphatically not saying the BBC should not be popular".

Unveiling the Government's White Paper on the future of the corporation, Mr Whittingdale confirmed that the BBC is to have a new unitary board with a majority of members independent of the Government.

He also confirmed that media watchdog Ofcom will regulate the broadcaster and will be "a strong regulator to match a strong BBC".

The change will be the first time in its 90-year history that the BBC will be regulated by an external organisation.

The licence fee remains "the most appropriate funding model" for the BBC, and will increase in line with inflation until 2021/22, when there will be a new settlement, Mr Whittingdale said.

People watching BBC programmes on demand online will be required to obtain a TV licence, he said.

BBC Director-General Tony Hall, said: "This White Paper delivers a mandate for the strong, creative BBC the public believe in. A BBC that will be good for the creative industries - and most importantly of all, for Britain.

"There has been a big debate about the future of the BBC. Searching questions have been asked about its role and its place in the UK. That's right and healthy, and I welcome that debate.

"At the end, we have an 11-year Charter, a licence fee guaranteed for 11 years, and an endorsement of the scale and scope of what the BBC does today. The White Paper reaffirms our mission to inform, educate and entertain all audiences on television, on radio and online."

Speaking on behalf of the BBC Trust, chairman Rona Fairhead said: "Constructive engagement between the Government, the BBC and the public has delivered a White Paper that sets good principles, strengthens the BBC's governance and regulation and cements a financial settlement that will sustain the strong BBC that is loved and admired by the public."