The BBC has announced a sweeping round of cuts that will see 16 beloved programmes cancelled or significantly altered, with the radio schedule facing the heaviest impact. Details of the major anticipated cuts were revealed yesterday, as the corporation seeks to save money amid financial pressures.
Announcement Details
Jonathan Munro, interim chief executive of BBC News and Current Affairs, informed staff: "Our news presenters have a unique relationship with our audiences. However, given the savings we need to make across the whole of BBC News, we are carrying out a review of our chief presenter roles. This is designed to ensure we have the right number of presenters, deployed as flexibly and efficiently as possible, to balance audience needs with best value for money."
Director-general Matt Brittin said the scale of savings required "needs tough choices" and all divisions "will be making significant savings." He added that broadcast TV channels and the radio network portfolio would be reviewed "as audiences move online," and steps would be taken to "reduce duplication, clarify accountability, and increase the speed of decision making."
"We live in very uncertain times," Brittin said. "Our audiences rely on us every day to keep them informed, entertained and equipped to make sense of the world. Making savings while fulfilling our mission means a doubly difficult time for everyone."
Programmes Facing Cuts and Changes
BBC One
- Sunday morning BBC Breakfast to stop from September
Radio 4
- The World Tonight - closing
- Midnight News - closing
- Money Box Live - closing
- AntiSocial - closing
- The Law Show - closing
- Crossing Continents - closing
BBC World Service
- The Inquiry - closing
- The Conversation - closing
- The Fifth Floor - closing
Under the shake-up, BBC Radio 5 Live Weekend Breakfast will become a two-hour programme, down from three hours. On BBC One and BBC Two, Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg and Newsnight production teams are set to merge. Radio 4's Today programme is set to have a roster of four permanent presenters rather than five and move to a single-anchor format on Saturdays, from September. Some TV production at weekends will potentially be shared across the News Channel and BBC One bulletins.
