The process is being overseen by BBC Magazines' production director Mel Skelton, who confirmed that the publishing division is "looking to employ Fresh Media as a transitional partner". He added that it was also looking to work with other companies.

The BBC's aim is to ultimately bring all its repro work in-house. Skelton said that BBC Magazines is gearing up to start the process early this year but that it was too soon to elaborate on exactly how it would be managed.

"We do recognise that there are certain charges and we don't want to end up down a cul de sac," he said.

BBC, which publishes consumer magazines and children's titles such as Toybox, is also reviewing its print contracts and has sent requests for proposals to printers. The review affects New Jarrold Printing, Polestar, Southernprint and St Ives.