The BBC is to shave £80m from its Content, Nations and News commissioning budget and cut 550 roles from the divisions in the first phase of the corporation’s three-year cost-cutting plan.
Director-general Matt Brittin wrote to staff this morning to say that the divisions will cut costs by £160 million in the current financial year.
Through both compulsory and voluntary redundandcies, there will be a net reduction of around 550 positions – just over a quarter of the 2,000 jobs set to go over the next three years.
The commissioning drop will happen in 2027-28, with some programmes set to be axed. The BBC will also continue to review linear broadcast TV and radio channels in keeping with audiences moving online.
“More savings will be set out in the months ahead, across all divisions,” Brittin said. “This includes corporate divisions where work is underway – we expect around 700 roles to close in these areas.”
Brittin and senior BBC executives will host an all-staff session on 23 June to take questions about the plans.
