BBC layoffs: Hundreds of news jobs to be cut as UK public broadcaster plans major downsizing
Britain’s public broadcaster BBC is expected to announce the first phase of a major restructuring next week that will include the closure of hundreds of positions in its main news division, according to a Financial Times report citing sources familiar with the matter.
According to the Financial Times , departments at the BBC have been instructed to cut their budgets by around 10% as part of a wider cost-cutting drive. The plan is expected to cut around 2,000 jobs and save hundreds of millions of pounds; The BBC’s news division is expected to be the first to announce restructuring proposals next week.
While the planned cuts are expected to affect certain radio programmes, sources warn viewers may notice changes to BBC services.
Insiders also told the Financial Times that because staffing accounts for the majority of the news division’s expenses, the department will see a larger share of job losses than other parts of the broadcaster.
In an interview with the Financial Times last month, the BBC’s newly appointed Director-General, Matt Brittin, said the broadcaster would face difficult and possibly unpopular decisions as it tries to secure its long-term financial sustainability.
Brittin faces the challenge of cutting costs while continuing to invest in future-focused services such as BBC iPlayer and YouTube content to attract younger viewers, the FT reported.
Meanwhile, the UK government is considering changes to the TV license fee system, including the possibility of extending it to private broadcast platforms. Currently, a license fee is required to watch live television or access BBC iPlayer, but this does not apply to on-demand content on streaming services such as Netflix.
