Director of Television Ms Bennett told a Royal Television Society audience that Saturday would remain family viewing, but re-invention needed to continue.

She dismissed the profusion of "purple and pink studios" that she said currently dominated Saturday night viewing.

Any revamp would be part of a wider drive to "refine the vision" on BBC One, with more drama and entertainment at peak times, she added.

Ms Bennett wants to take risks

There would also be a greater emphasis on the arts as well as current affairs and documentaries, areas BBC One has been criticised for neglecting in the past.

The current orthodoxy is that gameshows and entertainment shows are the most reliable ratings earners on Saturday nights.

ITV has relied on staples like Blind Date and Millionaire, after failing with experiments such as running The Premiership football highlights in primetime. Fresh successes have come with Popstars and Pop Idol.

But the BBC has had success with Casualty on a Saturday night, and is now considering putting more faith in drama.

Ms Bennett said: "I want new original thinking about Saturday nights for BBC One viewers.

Drama has shown it can get ratings

"We don't have to spend so much of Saturday nights locked up in purple and pink studios guessing the answers to the same questions.

"We want to throw out the conventions about Saturday nights and I will back experiments - with the schedule, with the programme mix."

She called on all broadcasters to join together "to provide the richest television fare for British viewers".

Ms Bennett has indicated that there will be more Panorama specials on BBC One, after the success of the investigation into armed forces collusion with gunmen in Northern Ireland and a one-off on Damilola Taylor.