The BBC is to review its portfolio as part of new savings plans.
Director General Matt Brittin has told staff that the corporation will reduce commissioning spend across Content, News and Nations by around £80 million in 2027 to 2028, while also reviewing its broadcast TV channels and radio networks as more audiences move online.
In a message sent to staff today, Matt said the first phase of plans from News, Nations and Content will deliver £160 million of cost savings by the end of this financial year, including staff and other costs.
The changes include a net reduction of around 550 roles, forming part of the previously announced plan for 1,800 to 2,000 roles to go over the next three years.
Matt said all BBC divisions will be making significant savings, with further plans to follow over the coming months. Corporate divisions are also being reviewed, with around 700 roles expected to close in those areas.
He told staff: “Reductions of this scale inevitably mean some compulsory redundancies, though we will work hard to avoid this wherever we can.”
The BBC will also close some programmes, with decisions being guided by audience value and impact, changing audience behaviour, and a need to reduce duplication. Senior leadership roles will be reduced by at least 10%.
Various internal meetings are taking place across various sites today, and an all staff session is happening at 2pm, with Kate Phillips, Rhuanedd Richards and Jonathan Munro.
