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.
Meanwhile, chief content officer Kate Philips has told producers that BBC development spend will reduce by 15% to "ensure we focus on developing ideas which have the strongest chance of success", according to an email seen by Broadcast.
Philips said this meant decommissioning some existing shows and offering fewer opportunities for new commissions.
“These will mean difficult choices, and we don’t underestimate the impact they will have on companies, freelancers and the wider industry," Philips said.
Where the cuts will fall
The BBC expects a drop of 100 to 150 hours of originated programmes across all commissioning genres by the end of 2027/28, with audio output likely to be reduced by around 350 to 400 hours.
Through both compulsory and voluntary redundancies, 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.
Around 200 jobs will go in News, saving around £25m, with plans to reduce costs by at least £51m by next April.
There are expected to be around 100 job losses in Content over the same period, with the BBC aiming for at least £100m of recurring annual savings.
Nations will close around 250 posts across Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and BBC Local, saving £33m.
The BBC will 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.
