BBC Director General Tony Hall has announced plans launch a “+1” timeshift channel of BBC1, Britain’s most-watched channel.

“Any plan for channels starts with BBC One,” said Hall. “Above all, BBC One needs to be on top form. It has to be the nation’s favourite channel, but also its bravest.

“We’ll also look to launch a BBC One +1 channel, too – it’s what audiences expect, especially younger ones, and it means people can get more of what they’ve already paid for.”

BBC One controller Charlotte Moore described the announcement as “brilliant news for BBC One viewers”.

All the BBC’s commercial rivals – including ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – already have +1 services for all their networks.

Full details on when BBC One +1 will launch and how it will be made available will be confirmed in due course.