The BBC must move with “velocity and clarity” and experiment more bravely to reinvent itself for today’s media environment, new chief executive Matt Brittin has said.
In a note to staff today, marking his first day in the job, Brittin said he wanted the BBC to be “simpler, faster and more connected to audiences than ever before”, but warned of “unavoidable” tough choices – a nod to the organisation's current round of major job cuts.
Brittin stressed that editorial excellence must remain the “foundation” of everything the BBC makes.
“I want to make sure we are always backing the right people to make decisions with clear accountability,” he said. “We must never allow our duty to take risks and deliver quality to be undermined by unnecessary process or misplaced caution.”
'Sense of urgency'
Brittin put its present situation in the context of how it has responded past challenges from restructuring for World War II to adapting to nationwide lockdowns during the Covid pandemic and “spinning up services” from conflict zones.
“We need, collectively, to call on that sense of urgency now,” Brittin wrote.
“That means moving with velocity and clarity. Excellence at the BBC has always been founded on great, creative storytelling and brilliant, independent journalism. Today it also means making sure we get the right stories in the right formats on the right platforms.
“We must be where audiences are, and experiment more bravely: test ideas, learn quickly and back what works. Audiences will value the fact we are listening, innovating and working hard to serve them better.
“I know change will not be easy. Tough choices are unavoidable as we make savings. We should ask ourselves, honestly: if we were inventing the BBC today, what would we do? Then respond with clarity, pace and purpose.”
Brittin outlined three priorities for the broadcaster under his watch. These are:
- The case for the BBC – “Making the strongest possible argument for our future as part of the Charter process.”
- Editorial excellence – “Backing the bold journalism and storytelling that define the BBC at its best.”
- Increased velocity – “Being clear on our priorities, making the savings we must and the choices we should, simplifying the BBC for staff and audiences alike.”
In a short video posted online, the former Google EMEA chief executive said the BBC should provide “information, education, entertainment for everyone” and singled out BBC1 drama Mint as a recent programme that showed the corporation at its best.
