BBC Three could merge with Radio One to create a “youth division”, according to a report.

Radio Times reports that BBC Three, which is set to move online on February 16, could be combined with other BBC platforms including the popular radio station under the purview of a controller of youth.

Siblings BBC Three
Siblings is one of the popular BBC Three shows that will move across when it goes online (BBC/Bwark/Ed Miller)

A corporation source said that the plans were being “seriously considered” at the top level of the BBC but would only be implemented if the online move failed to get “sufficient traction”.

BBC Three controller Damian Kavanagh told RadioTimes.com that he was unaware of the idea of merging BBC Three and Radio One, but admitted lots of plans were being discussed.

He said: “I have heard about many, many, many different propositions. I think charter renewal and the whole process is happening at the moment and there are a lot of ideas in play. I haven’t been presented with anything that is set in stone but there are a lot of conversations going on.”

Damian told the publication that he was opposed to the idea of a merger.

“I think (BBC Three) is a really powerful youth brand with 13 years’ heritage and I wouldn’t see the logic in winding down something that has that audience, and has that badge of quality, and has that heritage of investing in new talent (in something) that is just called ‘youth’.”

However, he agreed that the two outlets were “talking to the same audiences on different things” and that “to put those dots together would make a lot of sense”.

A BBC spokesman said: “Everyone knows we are looking at the BBC’s structure to make sure we are fit for the digital age. There has already been a lot of speculation about our future shape and there will no doubt be plenty more, but when we’ve got something to announce we’ll do so.”

Radio One, led by talent including Nick Grimshaw and Greg James, posted 10.33 million listeners aged 15 and over in the final quarter of 2015, from 10.56 million last quarter and 10.43 million in 2014, according to Rajar figures.

There has been a push to get more video content, including recent high-profile interviews with Ryan Reynolds and Will Smith, from the station on to catch-up service iPlayer.

BBC Three will move online-only from next week and continue to target the same 16-34-year-old audience as Radio One.

It will include two new formats for online: The Daily Drop and The Best Of, with the latter bringing together original long-form programmes and a range of new content, including short-form films.

The Daily Drop is home to BBC Three’s new stream of daily content including short-form videos, blogs, social media, image galleries, trending stories and daily updates from news and sport.